My 18 year old son just went in to Marine boot camp?

Amy S

My son was 18 when he went to Marine Corps boot camp, too. It's tough to let them go, isn't it? Believe me, you will continue to be proud of him in so many ways you can't even begin to imagine yet!

For information and LOTS of help and support about the USMC... especially while he's in boot camp, go to http://www.marineparents.com

It's the best online resource for everything USMC... Links to everything you can imagine... and a chat room and message boards for parents of Recruits in boot camp and later, for parents/loved ones of Marines. On the Recruit Message Boards you will meet parents of recruits who are in your son's training Company... and possibly some in his platoon! Then, on family day and graduation day, you'll be able to meet them! These are lifetime friendships I'm talking about!! There's no family like the Marine Corps family!

Petey

good luck to him...hope he stays safe

hardwoodrods

Yes he made the right choice, because it's what he wants. He's 18 mom, he has to lead his own life.

Army Retired Guy

Of course he made the right choice Mom, he'll be fine, be proud and attend his graduation, you'll love it, and see what a man he's become.

Mel Mel

yeah I'm thinking about going into the marines myself

sooper dooper

ya, it'll prepare him to be great at whatever his job is afterwards

little eccy

Its his choice, they will send him to Iraq, I have two teenage boys, I have told them not to sign up for the military, I don't want them sent to Iraq, I never believed in the war and I feel sorry for all the people that have died or have suffered because of it, a totally unnecessary war.Regarding your son I hope he comes home safe.

david

HE is following his dream, just be there for him when he needs it.

gugliamo00

The Marines are a good group.

I guess for parents, their "baby" is always "too young." My grandparents, who raised me, worried about me all the time. Because of the nature of my assignment, I was unable to contact them as often as they would have liked. Once my grandmother contacted my CO. My next letter told her to never write to anyone in my chain of command, or to anyone else in the government to find out how I was. I NEVER forgave her for that. Because of security, there was no way I could write long letters about what I did every day. So, so letters became, "I'm ok. Don't worry."

Your son will be among the best-trained military personnel on the planet. He'll be earning credit towards tuition for school when he gets out. He well may have access to college classes where he's stationed. Plus he may receive training in areas of information technology, medicine, electronics, and other fields that can't be gotten in the civilian world... at any price.

In general, he will be well cared for. He will eat pretty well... at least it will be nutritious. If he never complimented your cooking before... you can almost bet he will the next time h sits down at your table. And he will be clothed for the weather, be it hot or cold. He will seldom be alone... even when he wants to be.

After boot camp, or maybe even in his letters during, he'll likely tell you stories of the love he has developed for his DIs (drill instructors). He will tell you of the casual morning, afternoon, and evening strolls he takes with his buddies in the woods, swamps, hills, or wherever.

If your son has a strong personality, if his moral compass is set, if he has been a good student, the military probably won't change him much. He'll probably be a lot more fit. He will be more focused. He will be better able to make good decisions more quickly. He will be more adult... perhaps not in years, but in all the ways that important.

Oh, and you may have to get used to a new vocabulary... or at least a new syntax, in which four-letter words are used as punctuation. Young kids seem to go that route. I don't know why. Maybe it makes them think they're convincing others that they're tougher than they feel.

But I would be dishonest if I said you have nothing to worry about. You need to know that he's chosen job that can be dangerous. You hear every day about soldiers who are injured or killed in combat. But you need to realize, that are tens of thousands more who come home. And, if you don't hear from him for there a period, it's likely to be the intensity of operations... or the inconsistency of the mail. If anything happens to him, you will find out in short order. It's kind of a case if "no news is good news."

I tell the guys I talk to in Iraq. The WWII Vets are going quickly. The Korean Vets are going too. We Vietnam Vets aren't getting any younger. We are proud and grateful to have young men such as your son following to pick up the banner when we fall. So please thank him for me.

And, there's an old WW II saying, "They also serve who stand and wait." So, thank you too.

John Mac from Sac

Outstanding choice your son has made. The Marines will discipline and add some wonderful traits to your son...honor, courage, commitment, and attention to detail. Many of the youngsters nowadays are severely lacking one or more of those traits, and they are necessary in life, after his tour is over as well. I myself did my time in the U.S. Navy, but the Marines are our brothers and they will make a good man out of your son. Congratulations on having a son that was willing to make a commitment to his country, as well as his family and himself.

Amanda K

He followed his heart. All you can do is pray for him and keep in touch with him. The Marine Corp is a tight group. They will take care of him. God bless him and God bless the troops.

Brian C

First of all, thank your son for all of us for his choice to serve. There is no more noble occupation than anything you do in the Armed Forces. He was doing what he thought was right for him and you have to commend him for making his own decisions. The USMC will give him opportunities he'll not get elsewhere and you can't beat the self discipline and confidence it instills in you. We will all be praying for his safety and success. God bless you and your son.

Barry auh2o

When you see him after he graduates form basic training, you'll know he did the right thing.

Wayne C

He will not become a man he will become a US Marine, it's 1 step higher.
He will be safer than on a freeway here.
He will not be alone.
He will come home unrecognizable. Standing straight, talking a foreign language, willing to eat anything.

Girls will swoon and his buddies will be jealous.

You will be Proud of this stranger.

SSG US Army 73-82

Van1975

18 isn't so young for the Marines. That is what is so amazing about the Corps. They will take an 18 year old boy and turn him into a man. You should be very proud. He is joining a brotherhood and is gaining knowledge, strength and wisdom that cannot be learned anywhere else.

Semper Fi

luvisuzu

I enlisted into the Army Reserves at the age of 17. I have one year under my belt and was a reservist during high school...

The benefits of becoming a soldier is okay... My auto insurance went down because of the title...

When i look at the benefits package for a marine, this was my facial expression O_O.

Be sure to pick on your son on furthering his college. I got a full ride with the help of the army.

raynard20010

the marines do not make you a man You already have to be a man. If you are raised with proper values and a work ehthic he will make it. The marines just let him prove to himself that he is a man.

Raini

your son is brave man, you should be very proud.

Big Blue Fan!

yea the marines are the best i am considering joining them myself. i wish you son luck.

vcxzzxcvvcxzzxcv

Marines like em young. I made the right choice. I was 18 too.

Dreed12

I would say he made the right choice, he is doing what he wants. I plan on joining the Marines when i am of age. I've heard that the Marines Corps makes the best out of a person.

Good luck!

AmericanPatriot

CONGRATULATIONS MOM! You should be very proud of your son! There are so many opportunities for young men and women in the military. Training, education and experiences they could never get in HOME TOWN, USA. It's all free, and they get paid while learning! I hope he chooses a career field that he can profitably use when he gets out (or retires from the Corps).
Though I'm retired Navy, I'm a great admirer of the U.S. Marine Corps.
If you'd like to read more about the Corps, I recommend you sigh up at SgtGrit.com and sign up for their newsletter. Oh, if you do, keep a box of tissues by the computer when reading some of the touching letters from Marines and their families. My closest friend is a retired USMC Captain, combat vet (Viet Nam) and fine Christian. We went to Parris Island this past fall to celebrate the graduation of a young man who was in my Sunday school class when he was in 3rd/4th grades. We both had tears of pride rolling down our cheeks, along with his mom & dad.
Bless you mom! Stand proud of your Marine!
(USN, retired/in-country Viet Nam vet)
On the 7th day, God rested and U.S. Marines filled sand bags.
One nation under God, with his U.S. Marines standing guard.

joe4912004

God bless you and your son. He is following his calling. Just love him and send him your good vibes and he will come out the other end in very good shape to start his life.

OK_WHATEVER

mmm I love marines lol

amercfighter

Quit worrying mom, he's got hundreds of brothers now and they all watch out for each other. It's out of your hands and you knew this day would come. Write him, relax and make the best of your empty nest.

LAVADOG

Semper Fi

Milmom

18 is a great age to join, He's young, healthy and obviously has the support of his family.
He also has the support of millions of Americans whose names he'll never know!
God Bless you Mom

thekingbeav

Every branch of the military is ecceptional in forming the bodies and minds of American citizens, espeshally young adults.

You don't make it sound as if your son is looking at a full fledged career with the Marines, and I can guerentee that when he gets out he will be changed. He will be an honorable, proud, disciplined person (not that he wasn't before nessisarily) but it will definitly shape him to become someone you will be proud of forever.

Serving is also a great step for future jobs and or careers.

2009=Age Of Orton

LOL!!!

THE 8-1-8 DELICIOUS

IT COULD BE A BAD THING... BUT IT DEPENDS ON WHAT KIND OF PERSON YOUR SON IS... IF YOU RAISED HIM WELL HE SHOULD BE FINE... GOOD LUCK :)

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