Ship 20071203 but.......

[Danman]

Well I don't have a problem with my ship date but my mom doesn't want me to go because of Christmas. Like I said I don't have a problem with it have any of you If you where gone while Christmas. also what goes on at Boot during Christmas?

[innersanctum]

it will be the first of many Christmas' missed. Don't get too hung up over it. One year I was in Somalia for Christmas. Another year, I was doing keg stands on the Sunabe Sea Wall for Christmas. It sucks at first but you will get used to it.

[V8403]

Like innersanctum (aka) Steve I spent many a Christmas away from Home it is a part of military life. some one has to stand guard. I spent one Christmas of the coast of Lebanon and spent another Christmas in the Gulf around Dubai . it is just part of the military way of life.

[reighvin]

If it isn't Christmas, its your birthday. Or her bithday. Or some other day that she wants you home for. This is your time, and I understand where she is coming from, but this is honestly your time.


At recruit training, you will probably get to watch a movie in the squaday. And then get smoked on the quarterdeck afterwards. In other words, just another training day.

[gunga55]

you might suggest to here having christmas a little early but other than that thats how the chips are falling.

[matty104]

x-mas in mcrd lol wow thats funny only for the di's :D

[Trapper]

Well I don't have a problem with my ship date but my mom doesn't want me to go because of Christmas. Like I said I don't have a problem with it have any of you If you where gone while Christmas. also what goes on at Boot during Christmas?I went Dec 17th, 2005. I was only picked up like 2 or 3 days when Christmas came. It was not to bad. We did get a little "time off" if you care to call it that. I do not remember digging that day...

[lima33doc]

Well I don't have a problem with my ship date but my mom doesn't want me to go because of Christmas. Like I said I don't have a problem with it have any of you If you where gone while Christmas. also what goes on at Boot during Christmas? You might want to tell her (in a nice way) to suck it up. Between deployments, field time, and any other "needs of the Marine Corps", Christmas is not going to be the only Holiday you miss out on.

[marine4life]

I missed my wife's birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas and our 1 year anniversary while I was deployed to Japan. Missing Christmas once so you can become a Marine isn't go awful. Have her send you a care package while you are in Boot

[Trapper]

I missed my wife's birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas and our 1 year anniversary while I was deployed to Japan. Missing Christmas once so you can become a Marine isn't go awful. Have her send you a care package while you are in BootMake sure she sprays some nice pefume on it to remind you of her...

[hankhoffman]

Remember you will be with your other family. Marines!!!!!!!

[gunga55]

Truth be told no time is a good time for you to go to boot camp in the eyes of your mom. At some point she is going to have to suck it up and wave good bye.

[mkennedy]

Or you could 'enjoy' (miss?) your 21st birthday while in boot ...

[john]

2 years ago, Christmas was a movie in the squadbay followed by IT's on the quarterdeck. Nothing comes without the hardwork for it. As stated before, you are going to miss a lot. I've missed Christmas', birthdays, funerals... Vegas trips. You have to let go of the obligation you feel towards your family as sometimes it is simply out of your hands. I'll be here in Iraq for several birthdays, all the coming holidays. Year before I was in Japan, and before that I was in bootcamp.

[rkdian]

Speaking as a mom...
2 years ago, my son left for boot on Oct. 17. He missed his only nephews 1st bday, Thanksgiving, my bday, Christmas, New Years, and family day was on his only sibling's (sister) bday. This year...his only child (son) was born on Aug. 27, he got married on Sept. 5, he left for 29 Palms on Sept. 10. He missed his parents 25th wedding anniversary. He will be gone for his nephew's 3rd bday, Thanksgiving, my bday, Christmas, (leave granted over New Year's), his father's bday, his sister's bday, his wife's 21st bday, HIS 21st bday, his son's 1st bday, his first anniversary, etc. The list will go on and on.
Yes, we mother's want you home for those things. It comes with the territory of being a mom. Telling us "to get over it" or "suck it up" is like pouring salt in the wound. Telling us that "you love us", "wish I could be there, too", "doing it so that I can make all the rest", helps us to remember WHY you are missing those occasions. It is not that you are gone for Christmas, it is that you are going at all!! Mommies worry about their babies, no matter how big or tough or old those babies are. There is nothing either of you can do to stop her feelings, or yours. Know that she loves you and is anticipating missing you greatly. Reassure her that you feel the same way. No matter how long you're gone, or where you are, these things won't change. She will be fine, and is extremely proud of you! Do what you have to do to make the EGA ceremony. That day will help her to get over the 'missed' days, including those in the future.
Good luck in boot and God Bless!

[kmarier2001]

Speaking as a mom...
2 years ago, my son left for boot on Oct. 17. He missed his only nephews 1st bday, Thanksgiving, my bday, Christmas, New Years, and family day was on his only sibling's (sister) bday. This year...his only child (son) was born on Aug. 27, he got married on Sept. 5, he left for 29 Palms on Sept. 10. He missed his parents 25th wedding anniversary. He will be gone for his nephew's 3rd bday, Thanksgiving, my bday, Christmas, (leave granted over New Year's), his father's bday, his sister's bday, his wife's 21st bday, HIS 21st bday, his son's 1st bday, his first anniversary, etc. The list will go on and on.
Yes, we mother's want you home for those things. It comes with the territory of being a mom. Telling us "to get over it" or "suck it up" is like pouring salt in the wound. Telling us that "you love us", "wish I could be there, too", "doing it so that I can make all the rest", helps us to remember WHY you are missing those occasions. It is not that you are gone for Christmas, it is that you are going at all!! Mommies worry about their babies, no matter how big or tough or old those babies are. There is nothing either of you can do to stop her feelings, or yours. Know that she loves you and is anticipating missing you greatly. Reassure her that you feel the same way. No matter how long you're gone, or where you are, these things won't change. She will be fine, and is extremely proud of you! Do what you have to do to make the EGA ceremony. That day will help her to get over the 'missed' days, including those in the future.
Good luck in boot and God Bless!

Great post Renee! All of it is so true. You won't believe the many times my son has said "don't worry". As if we can turn that emotion off like a tap!

[marine4life]

Or you could 'enjoy' (miss?) your 21st birthday while in boot ...

Been there, done that....All I got was this EGA on my cover

[gunga55]

you got a Tshirt in boot camp too

[2531cpl]

Danman-
Welcome to life in the Corps, explain to your mom that you want to do this, and you guys can celebrate Christmas early this year. I spent one Christmas drinking myself to sleep on Okinawa, and another Christmas in the middle of Saudi during the first Gulf war, and my final Marine Corps Christmas at Camp Lejeune. You will miss holidays, but she needs to understand that is part of the price of freedom. Good luck to you, and just tell Mom you love her, and you will see her in a few months when you can give her the greatest giftof all, and that is a Son that EARNED the title Marine.

[john]

Memories... drinking yourself to sleep in Okinawa. Been there. But as I said, you will miss a lot, but it is all worth it. I am about to spend this Christmas and MC Bday here in Iraq. Lucky me, huh. I wouldn't have it any other way.

[XJUSTICEX]

Well yeah I guess I would since my B-Day is December 24th...But hell bootcamp I dont think ships out during holidays like that, or at least that was what I was told... But who knows and I hope you do well and you survive. My ship date is not until January 7th so I got a few yet!!!
HOOOORRRAHHH

XJUSTICEX
:banghead::banghead::banghead:

[Romulus]

if you shipped i bet your havin fun right about now! just noticed the date... maybe you'll read this when you get back.

[Trapper]

Missed Christmas, shipped 12/17/85...turned 21 on Oki. Didn't matter, they had no drinking age then...

[BrotherMick]

I missed my wife's birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas and our 1 year anniversary while I was deployed to Japan. Missing Christmas once so you can become a Marine isn't go awful. Have her send you a care package while you are in Boot
************************************************** *
Make sure she sprays some nice pefume on it to remind you of her....

You guys are Soooo BAD...lol:D:flag-marines::rankm-sgt:

[USMC_PMM]

Ok... I've got to throw my 2 cents in here...

My son left for boot camp when he was 17 and turned 18 while in boot camp...

I am not an emotional person but when I dropped my son off at the hotel the day before he left I was overwhelmed with emotions I never had before!! They all hit me at once... Yes, I did become a bit selfish and did not want him to be away from home for his 18th birthday... and started thinking about all the other things he would miss with the family... I cried more the night before he left and the day he left then I ever cried in my life... I had no idea why I was loosing it!! I look back and kinda laugh because on the way home from dropping him off at the hotel my younger 2 children pleated with me to pull over because they never seen my cry like that before... they thought for sure I was going to cause an accident...

As time slowly went on while he was in boot camp I tried dealing with all of these emotions and realized that this was not only an important transition in his life but also an important one in mine... I wrote him a letter apologizing for me becoming so emotional but explained to him that a mother’s love for her child is a VERY STRONG LOVE… I wanted to let him know that I was having a harder time dealing with him growing up then I ever thought I would… I’ve known since the day he was born that my job as a mother was to raise him to be strong and independent… to prepare him to be self sufficient, honest and have integrity… but I guess I wasn’t really prepared for all the emotions that came with him not needing me to be there for him anymore… I needed to understand that it was time for him to spread his wings and fly… to begin his own life… In the end I asked him to be patient with me as I try to make this important transition in my life too…

When I picked my son up from boot camp I had an overwhelming sense of pride! He had grown up so much! I have since turned my selfless emotions in to a great deal of pride for raising such a wonderful man!

I hope that all those that are dealing with their loved ones complaining that they are not home for those special events understand that they too are trying to cope and deal with the transition into military life… I don’t think any one of them intend to complain… but really want you to understand how much you mean to them… that they love you and want to share all those special memories with you…

Ok… I’ve probably went a little overboard…

Maybe a heart felt letter to those loved ones that are complaining to show them that you understand what they are feeling and hope they can be strong for you and support you…