husband graduation from basic!?

Question

Hey my hubbie is graduatin from basicis on Dec. 15 and gets to leave for 2 weeks on a holiday block leave before he returns to AIT. I really want to go to his graduation however is a 17 hour drive with two kids. The airline tickets are 800.00 for the both of us. I was thinking about not going his mom and dad are going. Or should I eat the cost and go. If I did no not go I was going to get a hotel here in our hometown takes some days off work go chrtimas shopping and just have time with him. ANy advie would be helpful.

Answer 1

I wouldn't have missed my husband graduation for the world! It's a wonderful thing to see your husband in his blues lined in formation graduating after 6 weeks of training. I cried :0) I lived in Colorado Spirngs at the time and it was a 20 hour drive. I suggest you drive. It'll be much cheaper. But totally invest in a car DVD player. it did wonders to keep our 14 month old quiet for most of the way. I really think this is an important milestone for your husband. Although I'm sure he would understand if you didn't go, but I thought it was money well spent. Of course, my husband's Air Force and it was very memorable. not sure if all branches are the same..

Answer 2

HI, my boyfriend is in the same grouping to graduate on Dec 15. I am also just dying to go but it will be very expensive. I will be driving from Mississippi.
Not going is a very hard decision. This is a once in a lifetime event that you will NEVER get back. I don't have the money to spend either. I am wondering about getting a loan so that I can be there. I was told that after graduation he leaves 2 days later to his tech school. Is is really true that they get 2 weeks for holiday?
Is that for everyone?
The main reason I was trying to find a way to get to Texas was because he would be sent straight to tech school.

Driving that far with 2 kids will be tough. Can you go with the parents? Graduation is a 4 day event if you want to be part of everything. A room and food for 4 days will be costly.

I hope you can work it out an make it to graduation.

Answer 3

You need to go. It has been a long time since he has seen you and the kids, and family is what keeps these guys going. There are lots of affordable ways to get there. First, see if his parents will drive down with you, that will help with the cost and caring for the kids on the drive. They can also watch the kids for a short time, so you can have some alone time in the hotel. If you are thinking of staying on post you better make reservations now or you will not get a room. My husband and I use to be able to find little dive hotels off post for VERY cheap. They were not real clean, they did not have a phone and things did not always work, but we were together and that is all that mattered. It is time together that matters most.

Answer 4

I actually missed the ceremony for my husband's graduation from BCT, but made it there for his weekend off. I did, however, make a certain point to be there, along with his mother and grandfather, when he graduated AIT. We only had a 9 hour drive (but with 5 people including my infant niece) but I was in college and not exactly rolling in riches. No, there's not so much pomp and circumstance, but until the day I stood in front of his unit and pinned (velcroed, actually) his E6 rank on his chest, his graduation was the only thing in his career that I'd been able to be a part of because of timing and location issues. Since my husband takes his career seriously, it was important for both him and myself that I be there to see him mark the beginning of the most life-changing thing we've ever been through. Given the chance, I'd be there again.

You personally won't actually need an ID card to stay on post if your husband signs for the room (we weren't even married and we stayed at the inn on post). If you decide to go, by all means, leave the kids with a family member for a while and just tell everyone Christmas will be small and to get used to it. Since he has two weeks, whether you make the ceremony or not, seeing him at least will be nice for both of you, and you'll still have the AIT graduation to make it to.

The one thing you'll learn in the military is to spend time with your husband as much as you can.

Answer 5

My son graduated from Marine Corps Basic Training in May. Many Marine's family members are financially unable to attend. There's a wonderful website, marineparents.com which helps fund families who couldn't otherwise attend their son's or husband's graduation from Basic.

You really, really need to go see him graduate, no matter what it takes. You can't understand how important it is to your husband that you are there.. He'll scan the crowd for your face, and even though his parents are there, he'll take a quiet, resigned breath and soldier on bravely through the disappointment. He'll understand the reasons you aren't there, but if you *are*, he will stand taller and his eyes will shine!!

I suggest you check out the Army's many websites. I'll bet there's a support website for Army parents/wives!

I'm also emailing Stacey, from http://www.marriedtothearmy.com. Her website has a lot of great information for Army wives. She may know of more resources.
You could let your church know of your need, or put a donation can in the local 7-11 or hometown bank, or maybe some of his buddies will help you out. If they'd like to go too, maybe they can help with the driving costs. Be creative. Don't let this very special opportunity pass. Besides, if you drive, you'll have that wonderful time together on the way home as a family!

Answer 6

Look the answer to your question is simple and so obvious that you can't see the answer! 1st I am a former US Army officer who enlisted, graduated from basic, went to Officer Candidate School (OCS) and received my commission. So I know about basic, what your husband went through.
2nd, have you asked you husband if he wants you and the kids to attend? And finally....don't go. Save the money because with 2 kids you can always use the money. Wait for his AIT break and enjoy the holidays as a family. Also I would not spend the $$$ on a hotel room. Again save the money and spend time with your kids and friends. Honestly, in the long run it will be beneficial.

And please give my thanks to your husband for serving our country and thank you for supporting your husband.

Answer 7

I would try to find someone who can watch the kids for a few days and try to tag along with his parents. If you want to bite the bullet and fly it will be cheaper to leave the kids with someone. It will be really important to your husband for you to be there. He will understand if you have to get some one to watch the kids for a few days. If you already have a dependant ID card, you can stay at guest lodging on his base. Military bases usually have affordable rooms.( $35-$45 a night)

Answer 8

It is worth going, have a small x-mas, seeing and being with family is worth the money. I would make it a two day road trip, much cheaper and when you get there you have the freedom of having your own transportation.

If you think it was a long 8 weeks for you it was a life time for him. Show him your love and respect.

Good luck, and welcome to the military family.

Answer 9

Unless you husband is getting honored and recognized for being an outstanding recruit, I would not go in debt just to see him graduate. I am not sure why his mom and dad are going because it is not a big deal graduating from boot camp. The pomp and circumstances of graduations in the military training seems to be focus mainly on the Military Academies. Save you money, you surely will need it when you become a military spouse, specially with two kids already.

Answer 10

If you can't afford to go then you shouldn't go. Especially around the holidays. He will be home for two weeks. Make sure you two get some nice quality time together. He'll understand. If possible send something with his parents to give to him so he knows you are excited about seeing him and that you are proud of him