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