You will likely not hear from him for a few weeks. That's a good thing. He will be too busy going through all the stuff he needs to call or write. The biggest mistake I ever made in my life was changing my mind about enlisting after my mom died when I was 17. I don't think my dad wanted anyone else leaving for a while. So I went to a private technical college to take up a subject for one reason. Money. Did not like the area of study and ended up not finishing. Water under the bridge now.
My son did not make the same mistake. Enlisted in the USAF before he graduated. A good kid but seemingly the same as yours. Not as motivated as I would have liked, typical teenager slouching walk. At least he didn't wear his pants around his ankles like many of the kids do. At least around me. He knew better. 8 weeks at Lackland and at his initial parade formation for graduation I almost did not recognize him. And not just by his look. Which was ramrod straight, eyes bright, hair cut short. Along with the BC glasses. (That's birth control glasses for those who do not know- ugly things so named that no one would think of sleeping with somebody wearing them!)
It was his attitude. There was pride, confidence, and an air of competence far beyond anything I had ever seen before. And it was not just him. It was in they eyes of everyone of those young men and women. It was also an air of "don't f with me". I know who I am, what I am capable of, and if the sh!t hits the fan you want me on your side! And that's when if you can keep your eyes from tearing up and outwardly showing the pride you feel you must be in la la land. Because I didn't see a dry eye in the place. Including my own and I didn't care at all.
Even his speech! Yes Sir, No sir, please, thank you. Stuff I had not heard said in a way that was so genuine and respectful. Of course he's back to calling me "old man" now but that's Ok. He's earned that right in Afghanistan, and now Africa. When your son comes through that gate, doorway, etc at his gradution from basic training it will be as if you are seeing him for the first time. As he really is. And if you are like me you will be somewhat in awe of what he has become. And what he now stands for.
He is now one of the guradians of everything we hold dear and he accepts that responsibility. He may not outwardly show it but he knows it, yet he will likely be very humble about it and talk about it in terms of we, they, and them. Meaning those he has just gone thru training with as if they are all one unit. That just adds to the air that will now surround him. Where he will go is also now out of your hands and to an extent, his as well.
MY son went in as an airborne linguist in Mandarin Chinese. Went thru the Presidio (saw him graduate form there as well. Another day filled with pride but also sickened by the attitudes of some people in Monterey. They were advised to not wear their uniforms into town as there had been incidents of name calling and even things thrown at servicemen and women by low lifes. A good argument for allowing them to carry sidearms. Throw a tomato or egg and you get to eat a slug. Nothing like Texas where I saw an older woman nearly knock an airman down so she could hold the door for him! I love Texas. They love their airmen in San Antonio!), then flight crew training. Then because things were not progressing fast enough for him he volunteered for a new job that took him to that hell hole in Afghanistan. Putting himself in harm's way to try and save lives of fellow soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen. He's been deployed 3 times in 2 years. In country more than at home by now.
You can't put a price on how that makes a father feel. Knowing that your child is standing up for what they believe in. In a way that that too many others take for granted or even scorn. I am a firm believer that much of the trouble we see with young people today is out of a lack of pride in themselves. A couple years in uniform would not hurt any one of them. With no exceptions save for physical medical reasons.
That would cure many of the problems we have today. They want to play with guns? Fine, do it in a place where it is called for. With someone shooting back with rpg's and mortars.
Thank you to your son for his service, and for your sacrifice as a parent. I know what it's like.
