son leaving for boot camp?

Question

My son is about to leave for bootcamp in november.I am a nervous wreck and cry evertime I think of it.Anyone know anything about Fort Benning in Georgia?He tells me not to worry.But being a mom that is hard to do.What are the chances he will go to Iraq

Answer 1

My hubby is a Drill Sergeant for BCT. Trust me, your son is going to be ok. In fact, my hubby did his DS training at Ft. Benning. There's a very good chance that your son is going to go to Iraq. That's just a fact of life in the Army right now. However, it won't come for quite sometime yet. He'll have 9 weeks of BCT. Then he'll have to go to AIT. His AIT location will depend on what his chosen MOS is. AIT can be from 4 weeks to several months. After that, he'll go to his permanent duty station. That's what will decide if he deploys right away or not.

I know your his mother and going to worry, but I have to tell you to calm down. All the nervousness and stress you have now will only reflect on your son. My hubby gets several recruits that will tell him that their parents aren't handling their decision well. Yes, BCT is rough. They go from boys to men. They're taught how to stay alive. They're still worried about their loved ones at home. So, my best advice, don't give him anything extra to worry about in BCT. Be proud of his decision and let him know that you're ok with him going. I'll be totally honest, the stress and worry you have now is nothing compared to what you'll feel if he deploys. We've been married his whole career, 18 years, and the hardest thing I go through is watching him get on that plane. He's been to the sandbox 3 times so far. Be strong, be proud and just show your love for him. Everything really will be alright.

Good luck to you and your son. Tell him thanks for this "old timer" for serving his country.

P.S. If you go to his BCT graduation, book a hotel as soon as you know his graduation date. That will come by mail from his unit more than likely. The hotels fill up fast. It'll be a wonderfully proud moment to watch him get that diploma.

Answer 2

Basic training will probably be really good for your son. Most people grow up a lot, especially if it's the first time they've been away from home. My husband and his mom didn't really get along before he left, but he realized how much better he had it at home and they are really close now. It will be hard because he won't be able to call or write often but you can write to him and that will help him a lot. Unfortunately, he will very likely go to Iraq. Just do your best not to worry and make sure he knows how much you love and support him. It will be hard but everything will be ok. In most places in Iraq, communication is very good so you will probably hear from him more if he's there than when he was in boot camp. Fort Benning isn't too bad. It shouldn't get too cold down there, even in the winter, so he won't have it too bad. If he's infantry he'll spend his entire basic training and AIT (job training) there, if not he'll probably go somewhere else for AIT. And they should also let him come home for Christmas, so that's really nice. I know it will be hard not to worry, but at basic he will have very qualified drill sergeants teaching him. He will be safe, if not very happy, but it will be fine. Just support your son and write to him as often as possible, that's the most important thing you can do.

Answer 3

Ma'am, I want to thank you for thinking of your son's future, and your son, for joining the US Army. You have both made decisions that were difficult, but worthwhile.

I wish that I could put in contact with my mother. She had to deal with the same thing three times. My brothers and I all joined the military, all different branches. We all have done well with ourselves.

Ft. Benning is one of the best training environments that your son could attend. He will learn many skills that will enable him to survive the battlefield, and keep him going in the civilian world when he decides to leave military service. All he has to do is remember his training and listen to his NCOs and officers.

Unfortunately, I cannot reassure you that he will not see a combat zone; I can, however, tell you that the likelyhood of his being deployed are less than you might think. All the units in the Army will deploy at least once, and some more than once. Your son may be assigned to a unit that has just returned from Iraq, and so is not scheduled to deploy for another year or so. There are many units in the Army, so that is extremely possible. If, however, he is assigned to a unit that is scheduled to deploy, the Army has the benefit of experience and training that will assist and help your son thru the deployment. I understand that is not a lot of consilation. There are a variety of support groups for spouse and mother of deployed service members on the 'net.

Again, thanks for your service

Answer 4

As a veteran, I assure you that it is only normal to be somewhat nervous. I will also assure you that your son will be undergoing some intensive training. Your son has made an important determination. He deserves all of our support and praise for his desire to serve his nation.
The Army is going to spend a lot of time and money ensuring that he knows his job and can undertake in the safest manner.
Of course, being in the service exposes one to higher risks than civilian life. That is understood and is one reason that the military value system is not the same as our civilian system.
Fort Benning will provide adequate food and shelter for your son. Hopefully, when you completes his basic training you will note a definite positive change in your son.
Who knows what is going to happen in Iraq? I am not sure anyone knows including our administration. I suggest not thinking to much about that now. Your son has a lot of training to do and that will take some time. Be proud that your son has made a manly decision and is soon to be one of those who have had the privilege to serve in our defense. Perhaps if you speak with his recruiter, some of your questions may be resolved.

Answer 5

Ft Benning is the Prime training facility for combat soldiers... Infantry Soldiers to be exact. It is likely that, at some point in his enlistment, he will be sent to serve in some god-forsaken place. It may not be Iraq, it may not be afghanistan. One never knows because the world is changing in such a way it has finally crossed the waters to the US. The world will never be the same.

Your son will received the worlds best military training, the very best equipment...

More people died in Chicago in the last 3 years from firearms then in Iraq.... that should tell you something about the US Military. I can't guarantee how things would turn out.... but there is an excellent chance he will return to his family time and time again. He will be changed... he will be more mature, more confident and even wiser beyond his years.

You may not feel good about this but please let him know that you support his decision to serve. I salute you and I salute him!

Answer 6

Ive been within the Army for over 6 years now. Diff from Navy sure however for these things will have to be approximately the identical. You can ship mail to them. And as for what he will have to take.... I took the whole lot the recruter instructed me to tackle his record. When I obtained there we got a bank card that had $three hundred of our first pay assess on it and have been instructed to shop for the stuff on our record despite the fact that we already had it rationale the cardboard was once best well for there no in which else. So I dont realize in the event that they nonetheless do this both approach I could say take best what you wish to have if some thing... toothbrush ect..... while he will get there he's going to be equipped to shop for what he demands. Good success for your son and household, the days are rough however it is going to be a well lifestyles experiance.

Answer 7

hey, i live in australia and im 17. I was originally accepted to become a general service officer in the army (G.S.O-cobat officers). After i while i decided that i didnt really want to be an officer (my dad is a colonel, so the pressure was on) and that i didnt want to do 5 years of training (we have a military university). So i enlisted starting in febuary 2007.

My mom is going nuts about it all, saying that i made a stupid choice, that it was dangerous (like i would be any safer as an officer). I tell her not to worry just like your son tells you.

Im not sure what your sons chances of going to iraq are, but a study reveals that being stationed in iraq keeps you incredibly safe. Of the 10,000 plus aussie troops that have rotated through iraq in the last couple of years, 2 have died. If they were all home at least 200 of them would have died. So try not to worry.

I wish you and your son all the luck in the world. Who knows, maybe ill be deployed in a JTF with him one day.

Catch Ya later.

Answer 8

the odds are unfortunately quite high he will go to Iraq or Afghanistan or both. The good thing is that he just getting in so he will spend the winter in Georgia then he will go to a school to learn his job. Then he will go to advanced infantry training before shipping out it could be a year or more before he goes to war. By that time with the help of a democratic congress we might be getting out of those countries. I wish you and your son the best and that he always comes home safe.

Answer 9

Okay mom, you need to suck it up and not cry every heartbeat. This is something that your son wants to do. And you can't stop it so you need to get through it. He will be fine in boot camp. As both my Dad and brother say, it is just another form of an organized summer camp and if you go into it with a great attitude you will breeze through it. He is going to learn many skills and get a great education. And he might end up going to Iraq when he is ready. They don't send untrained raw recruits into a war zone. So your jumping the gun on that one. Don't borrow trouble.

Be proud of your son. There is no honor greater than being willing to serve and protect your country. Make sure you go to his graduation from boot camp it is something to see! Hang in there...Best wishes to you and your son.

Answer 10

Try not to worry. I know that it's not easy for someone in your position. The Army will teach your son what he needs to survive and he probably will not see combat anyway (the Army has about 500,000 members and only 130,000 in Iraq). I thank you and your son for the amount of hardship that he will endure as part of the military, but rest assured that the training, the camaraderie and the sense of purpose will be some of the best memories he will ever have.