Monday, December 6, 2010

My Marine Monday


Well, sadly I wish I had better news to update with.  Last week's post was written the night before he left. 
The next morning I dropped him off at the airport, with the idea that we would be picking him back up sometime the 22nd.  We were feeling so lucky to get him home for Christmas.

He was flying back with some other boys and there were about 10 of them together.  I knew it was going to be a long day when he called and said their flight had been cancelled.
The next plan was to send them to Las Vegas.  They would sit there for about 8 hours and then into SD.

A little while later, he called again, now they were sending them to Seattle.  Sit for about 6 hours and then down to SD.  Seems SO inefficient, but nothing to be done.  He called me once more when he landed in SD and it was almost midnight their time.

I didn't hear from him until Thursday night, and he was upset.  Apparently, during boot camp, there was a briefing held about MCT training.  He missed that briefing because he was in the office handling child support issues.  Part of the briefing was the instructions to bring his "portholes"  (those horribly ugly glasses they make the recruits wear).  He didn't even think about them, since he was no longer a recruit and didn't think he had to wear them anymore.
Soo.......due to no briefing and not having all his equipment he was told he couldn't go on this round of training.  There are about 5 other kids in the same boat.  Instead he has to wait until 12/28 to start his MCT training.

Here's the kicker - no he can't come home.  If he wants to come home for the 96 hours leave allowed for Christmas it's on his own money.  That would also set him further back in how much leave he would have to be able to use in the future.  He wasn't quite sure what to do, and after thinking it through, we decided it wasn't worth it to try and come home.  Too expensive, too costly on future leave time.

What does he do now?
He just sits around all day.  Maybe do something the NCO's ask him, but they aren't training.  Sitting around all.day.long.
(his locker)

He does have his crackberry so he can text and use facebook, but his service is spotty.
GAH!!!!

Are you freakin kidding me?  What a waste to have these kids sitting around.  If anything, have them PT all day long.  Send them to recruiters offices.  SOMETHING!

Now, the plan is he will start Military Combat Training on the next cycle which is December 28th.  That lasts 3 weeks, and then when he leaves he will have his next set of orders.

I can see that I am going to need to learn patience.  After talking to other military families, one should never assume you know what the next step will be.  Change is the operative word.

I totally bummed about him not being home for Christmas.  In his 23 years, this is our first without him.  SO WEIRD!  I haven't told his daughter yet.  Not quite sure how......

On a lighter note
Sissy totally rocks the Portholes or as often lovingly referred to - the birth control goggles.


And finally, there is a fabulous author and blogger, Annette Lyon, who is involved with the Flat Daddy project.  Click here to read more about it.

She is taking donations and then provides Flat Daddies for children of military servicemen.  If we can get enough donations, we could have one provided for Sissy.  It would be great to have since we know his time at home, even during training, is limited and deployment overseas is a reality.  Just a matter of when.
If you feel so inclined, please drop by and make a donation. 
It's for Sissy and so many other children who are missing their daddy's while they serve and protect us.

xoxoxox
M

14 comments:

Missy said...

When we go to the Donation place it asks for Servicemen info... send me an email so I will know what to put where!
missyprissy09@gmail.com

My son was leaving for basic Jan 3, but have not change the date to Feb 3rd.
I will never make it thru... LOL

CountessLaurie said...

That stinks!! Cyber hugs, chicklette...

" Hit It......." said...

"The Dawg" will end up on guard duty until his training. That is what happened with Todd. I am cringing too. It will cost 1,000.00. for his plane ticket home (our dime). Your damned if you bring them home and your damned if you don't.

xoxo

tammy said...

Dang it! That's disappointing. And frustrating.

alpinekleins said...

Wow - that is frustrating,women would be so much more efficient don't you think!

Kristin

Cheeseboy said...

Those portholes are something else! Poor guy... just trying to do the right thing. I feel bad for him. And sorry he can't come home for Christmas. That pretty much sucks it hard.

CB said...

Awww man that is a raw deal if I ever heard one. Such a bummer. I hope he doesn't lose his enthusiasm and his "good" energy - ya know!
Sissy looks soooo cute in the glasses.
I love the Flat Daddy thing. I am going to go check that out.
Hope you are doing good chickie - don't be too down - He's tough and he got it from his mama!

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

I remember my son wearing those horrid glasses. They were unbelievable. After he got back from Iraq he had lasik surgery done.

Wow! I am so sorry for the damn ineptitude of some of those idiot rules. Hopefully he is learning some patience as well as YOU!!!!

You really need to come over and we'll do crafts.
Christmas crafts are the best crafts ever! Some people make better crafts than others, but I'm sure we can find a good teacher to teach you crafting.

Luv yer guts!

Mamafamilias said...

I really, really hate that for all of you.

I read about a Flat Daddy family just recently and how much the Flat Daddy meant to the kids. It was so touching. I'll check out the donation page.

Tell him thank you so much for what he's doing from a citizen of this country he will be defending.

Mae Rae said...

big frowns;-(

gigi said...

I'll donate!

I'm sorry about your Christmas. I think that it sucks for him more than for yall.

For what it's worth. I love your pictures :))

(((hugs)))

Ann Marie said...

That is LOTS of sad news. :(

I love that Annette Lyon is doing this. I am off to check it out..

LKP said...

aw! those hideous BCG's strike again!!!!! even though they normally make me cringe, sissy does rock them quite nicely. :)
hang in there luv. it's no fun, but you're right. it all about hurry up & wait.
love ya!!!

Mrs. O said...

Ugh! I'm so sorry. And right over Christmas too.