Mar. 24, 2009 - Before Basic Combat Training
Before Basic Combat Training
Early-February
I wish I had written down the date. David called to say he had met with an Army recruiter, withdrawn from his classes at college, and was going to join the Army. I didn’t know whether to cry or congratulate him or both. Although he has plenty of brains and bravado, it’s true he hasn’t shown the proper effort at school this past year and a half. I asked him what caused him to make such a big decision, and he said it was something I said a few weeks ago. Something about thinking about his future, deciding what he wanted to do, and taking the steps to get there. Sounds like a typical mom-chat to me -- nothing out of the ordinary. But apparently, this time he was primed, and I struck a chord. Just for the record – I never once suggested the military. Although I know freedom isn’t free, I was content with it being someone else’s son going off to protect us.
Mid-February
David went to take the ASVAB on a Tuesday, I think. The Sergeant dropped him off, intending to come back in a couple hours. David finished the test in 45 minutes and aced it. He scored a couple points shy of a perfect score. I was so proud. That means he can go for any job in the Army. The recruiter says David is a 5-star recruit, though he figured he must have a record or not be able to pee clean. Thank goodness, he has no worries there.
David had his physical exam and all went well there. The doc said he hadn’t seen a recruit come through with that high of a test score in a year. That’s a shame.
After much urging from me to go for an intelligence position, David has decided to go for a Haz Mat position called Explosive Ordnance Disposal. Oh my goodness! I tried to talk him out of it, but the recruiter and his best buddy won out over my motherly protestations. I’m glad to hear the training will last an entire year since his job will be to blow up enemy bombs.
Sat Mar 7
David met with a bunch of recruits for a training/competition today. He had to shoot and run around. I don’t really understand what they did, but he won the competition and ended up with a nice, little plaque and two bags of Army gear for his prize. He gave all the Army goodies to his little brothers, which I thought was very sweet.
Thurs Mar 19
This afternoon I had a visit from David’s Sergeant at the house looking for him. Seems he couldn’t get a response on the phone from him. I was quite surprised. It’s not everyday some military guy shows up at the house looking for my son. David was sleeping at his apartment. No big surprise. He decided to join the Army so he’d get a kick in the rear. I suspect he’ll get one. The Sergeant was very nice and said he didn’t want to get David in any trouble. He just needed a bank form filled out for direct deposit.
“Ha, ha,” I joked. “He’s 19 and he doesn’t get in trouble around here anymore.” But of course, as soon as the Sergeant left and I got a hold of David, I let him have it! “What? Sleeping while the Army is calling you on the phone in the middle of the day? Are you kidding me?” I shed a few tears as the reality and enormity of his decision hit home.
Ah, well, he went and saw the Sergeant and got the paperwork done. In my heart of hearts though, I think, well, this is exactly what he needs (if he can stay safe, of course).
Sat Mar 21
David passed his PT test today. He ran two miles in 14 minutes, which wasn’t perfect, but good enough to pass. He got 100% on the rest of the test, so that’s all good. That means he’ll enter Basic with a rank and pay increase.
Sun Mar 22
David is leaving for Army Basic Training in Fort Jackson on Tuesday. He’s also turning 20 in a week. Today is his girlfriend’s 19th birthday, and his best friend turned 21 a month ago, so we had a big family birthday/sendoff dinner at the Japanese steakhouse. It was a great evening. Afterwards we took a few pics outside his apartment building and everyone got hugs.
David called me at 10 o’clock to tell me that Carly had given him a Mohawk for fun. They took some pictures, but then they went ahead and shaved his whole head.
Mon Mar 23
I got to see David with no hair today. It was much better than I expected. He just looked like a big strong military guy. It was quite amazing. He has been wearing his hair shorter and shorter over the last several months, though he wore it pretty long in high school.
David should have moved out of his apartment yesterday, but he’s 19, and as such, he would gladly delay any important task until the last possible minute (or later). He was supposed to check in at MEPS by 5:00 pm, but he had to call his Sergeant to let him know he was just finishing clearing out his apartment and taking stuff to our house. His Sergeant was very sweet about it, which surprised me. Dave got all his stuff stowed in the attic, gave me his bank info so I could pay his bills for him while he’s at Basic, gave me a hug, and took off in his girlfriend’s car for MEPS.
However, he was only gone long enough to get on the freeway before I realized he had accidentally grabbed the car keys for his car that he was leaving for his little brother Taylor. Oops.
Somehow, it all worked out. He made it and no one even yelled at him – yet.
Tues Mar 24
David called me from a layover in Cincinnati this afternoon. He flew out with two other recruits for Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson in South Carolina today. He was put in charge of the official docs for the three of them, with some kind of threat of pure purgatory if he got his bag lifted. Now I’m doubting my decision to send copies of his original birth certificate and diploma with him. They had the originals at Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), but who knows how many more red tapes he has to plow through.
I was glad he still had his cell phone, though he probably won’t after tonight. They’re catching a flight to Columbia and then a shuttle from there to the base. I found it interesting to learn that he’ll be in “Reception” for up to two weeks before Basic Training even begins. But reception itself is no cakewalk; he’ll be sleep-deprived and learning to follow orders from day one.
He jokingly told me, “Mom, they call this place Relaxin’ Jackson! I can take anything they dish out. I’m used to it from you.”
Yikes! Surely, I’m no Drill Sergeant! Something tells me he’ll be thinking I’m a milkshake on a sunny day after a few days….
