Tuesday, March 16, 2010

And so his journey as a Marine begins.........


My oldest has enlisted in the Marines.  Yes, you read that right.  He has been considering it for quite awhile.  Reading, researching, talking to enlisted men, as well as a retired colonel.  He has picked as many brains as he can about this decision.  He decided it was the right thing for him.  He began the paperwork, and was sworn in today.

I met him at the MEPS office today at about noon.  He had been there since early morning doing all kinds of testing and paperwork.




He and three other recruits in the same group were taken into the swearing in ceremony room and ordered to stand at parade rest.




And while they were told to be still and hold their position.  He couldn't help looking around and taking it all in.



MEPS is the processing center for all branches of the armed forces so all were represented there with their flags.  Of the four in C's party, I don't know who else was Marine or what, I do know there were no National Guard, simply because they didn't have to do the second part of the oath



Taking the oath.  I got chills watching him and listening to the words of what he is committing and sacrificing to do.  My heart swelled with pride and tears came to my eyes.


Congratulatory handshake by the officer who swore them in.


Photo op by the Marine flag


and under the Marine seal


And no one around to take our picture together, so we had to do the old standby - the self portrait!  I got him to smile now!

We couldn't be prouder of this young man.  It is a HARD decision to be sure.  He will be leaving his daughter, his parents, his brothers and his friends behind for a period of time.  But he also recognizes that this will be the best thing in the long run.

He has an open contract so no MOS chosen as of yet.  He was set up with delayed deployment status so that he can finalize some paperwork on his divorce.  However, he was openly warned that this really meant nothing.  That they could call him up at ay time.  Once he gets the call he will go to boot camp for 13 weeks.  And then was told quite frankly to plan on deployment to either Iraq or Afghanistan.  He has spent much time talking to vets, to current enlistee's and to those who have done tours over there.  He is preparing himself as much as he can, for what he knows will be pure hell. 
We've had the discussions of what happens if he doesn't come back.  Or he comes back messed up.  They are not easy conversations to have but we've always been a very open family so we aren't afraid to have them.

I am so incredibly proud of him, there are no words.  I have been asked over the past week or so about my feelings and if I am afraid for him.  To be honest.  Nope. 
This was my boy who was born full of piss and vinegar.  He was mad as hell the minute he was born and his challenge in life has always been to be happy.  A baseball coach once nicknamed him Bulldog.  He's just that kind of a kid.  I never worry about him in a fight.  He can hold his own for sure.  Now that I think about it, I believe that will become his new blog name.  Bulldog.

The past week is the happiest I have ever seen him.  What this experience will do for him, is yet to be seen, but I have a feeling that it will be the best thing he could ever do for himself.  He will form a foundation of self esteem, self worth and self pride that no one but himself can give him.  He is making his family proud of him.  And last but not certainly not least, he is doing something to give his daughter reason to be proud him and to give her her OWN sense of self esteem.  "My daddy is a soldier".
Yeah, it's a good thing.

As with anything military, he is now in the waiting game.  The orders could come tomorrow, or not for several months.  His focused on his health, getting in top physical shape so boot camp doesn't kill him and focusing on becoming the best Marine that he can.

For my part, I will be the best Marine Mom that I know how to be.  He has our full support, love and confidence. 
I look forward to My Marine updates on this ole blog....... who knows how soon they will start.

Semper Fi    Hoo-rah!


25 comments:

Loralee and the gang... said...

Sounds like he will make a GREAT soldier!

meemawfish said...

My Son was also in the Marines and my 2 oldest grandkids were born while he was there. I was so proud of him and still that didn't stop the worrying especially when he was far away. I think you will worry though no matter where they are and I know you will be so proud to say you are a Marine's mom. Tell him all we in Georgia say that we are very proud and Thank you.

Meemaw

Untypically Jia said...

How great! I can't imagine just how proud of him you are. The marines are such a great group! I have a few friends that are marines (some who were in Irag and Afghanastan) and they are some of the proudest, strongest people I know.

tiburon said...

I am so proud of C I can't stand it! What a great day and what a brave man. Oorah!

Pedaling said...

bulldog is going to do well with his life....i can see it already.
very brave....he comes from good stalk! my prayers to you all and congratulations!
how i love those in our military!!!

tammy said...

This made me choke up a little. You know that I have a special place in my heart for our military and their families. My family has seen firsthand what can happen, but we've also felt tremendous pride and heard some amazing stories of the good that can be done. I'm sure this will be a lifechanging amazing experience for him. It takes a special kind to want to do this. Good on him!

CountessLaurie said...

Bulldog! I like it.

Thank you, Bulldog, for your sacrifice to protect our country. Massachusetts appreciates you more than you know for what you are about to go through!! God bless you!

Momma - I look forward to your updates!

Heather said...

How wonderful! You should definitely be proud.

My brother-in-law is currently in Iraq; this is his second deployment. He says that everything is much much nicer this time around, so I suppose that could be comforting? I look forward to the updates!

Kristina P. said...

Wow, that is awesome. You must be so proud.

Jamie said...

WOW!! One of my little brothers is a Marine. "The few the proud" THANK YOU Bulldog for defending this great country of ours!!!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations, but just a word of warning -- do NOT call a Marine a soldier....

mCat said...

Thank you ANON - good to know. Explain?

Lara Neves said...

Wow! I'm so impressed with all those who choose to serve our country in the military. Must be a hard decision and I am forever thankful that there are those that make it. My nephew just finished his Marine training also, but is now heading out on a mission before he does anything else with the military.

And regarding that last comment, I think that only army are called soldiers, but I'm not entirely sure why.

Unknown said...

Oh, Melissa! What a neat time you're having with this son. And my son confirms what Lara says - only the Army folks are soldiers. Who knew??

My son is doing army ROTC right now. I had mixed feelings about it, like many moms do, but I also realized that a lot of these kids come equipped with this desire to serve in this way. Men for their times, right?

We look forward to the updates, too! And we're with you, all the way!

Mae Rae said...

it has been a few weeks since I have had time to read and even longer to write. I am so excited for you and your family. Your son will forever make you proud. Standing for your country is something to stand tall for and it sure seems as though he stands tall. Congratulations!

Merri Ann said...

I hardly know what to say ..

Please thank him for me and my family ...
we have a very special place in our hearts for our military people and their families.

Jewls said...

Wow M-Cat, this is so neat! What a great son you have! :)

about me said...

I am in tears..This is such a huge sarifice for you and your family. How can "doing the right thing" be so hard. There are so many who sacrifice so much so that we can live in this land of plenty and freedom. Thank you ! Through history there have many soldier who have headed out to fight for freedomand the land they love and now I have my favorite one--
Corbin, is my hero

Vanessa said...

Yay for him! I'm sure he will do you proud!

kado! said...

wow...that's gotta be such a proud moment. I am already thankful for him! It is such a selfless act to give your time to our country. Always thankful for our military men and women!!!

Martha H. said...

I will ALWAYS be a military supporter. ALWAYS!

I'm so proud of C and for making this decision/sacrifice.

Love the pic of the two of you together. It's a good one.

veronica said...

So grateful to C and all those who serve in the military.
It's almost cliche' but I really love the phrase, "The land of the free, because of the brave." It's so true.

Trevor, Brianna, Alivia, Tayvree, and Avynlee Hansen said...

Way to go Corbin!!!!!!!!

Serene is my name, not my life! said...

My brother is a JAG lawyer and has been in Iraq for almost a year now! My poor SIL, home alone with five kids between 8 years old and 2. Ick!

I come from a VERY patriotic family!
I support our troops!!! Congrats.

Terri Ferran said...

A little late, but present, -- you go, Corbin! We are so proud of you.

Love,
Boogedy