Empty next...well halfway anyhow

[Ed W]

Somehow, I suspect he doesn't have his feet propped up on a desk today. My son left for Fort Benning, Georgia, on Sunday. All that hair is very likely gone.



Jordan wants to be a police officer, probably on the federal level.  To that end, he joined the army with an eye toward becoming an MP.  He called from OKC on Sunday evening sounding depressed, but last night he called briefly from the bus on the way to Fort Benning, sounding much more upbeat.  I answered the phone, but She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed almost broke my arm snatching it from my hand.  "He's my son!" she said, kind of overlooking my participation, but I've learned to avoid getting between a lioness and her cubs.

And we have one cub left.  She's a lioness too.  Now I'm outnumbered.  Every time the front door opens, I expect to hear his voice.  It's going to take awhile to adapt to this.

[guido911]

Be proud Ed. Be proud.

[Ed W]

Be proud Ed. Be proud.

Oh, I am.  And I'm worried.  If he goes to Afghanistan my stomach will knot up for a year.

[guido911]

Oh, I am.  And I'm worried.  If he goes to Afghanistan my stomach will knot up for a year.

Don't they have that delayed enlistment program where you get to choose your MOS before you leave basic? It's been a long time since I was in the Army and things might have changed. If he doesn't get the MP job, suggest to him the medic core. Those folks get treated very well.

[heironymouspasparagus]

Sit down with a glass (or maybe a bottle) of a nice red wine.  Relax a little.  We got future grandson-in-law heading that way in about 3 weeks (he is in final training weeks - AIT).  And granddaughter is going into guard this summer, with a heavy tendency (ready to volunteer) to go to Afghan, too.  Big Yuck! all the way around, but the kids are great! 

He'll make you proud!

[Ed W]

He has to be regular infantry for his first year before becoming an MP.  The former Marines at work like the idea, but then again, the Marines are all riflemen first before they go on to a specialty.

[guido911]

When I think about my basic training experience, and in fact I just chatted with my far better half who likewise was Air Force/Army, I laugh my rear off over the fear that was imposed on the both of us by our drill sergeants. When you are a 19 year old kid, it is scary and you feel that you might fail. Now, with real life staring me in the face, that was a walk in the park. If you can get word to him via letters/calls, just keep telling him basic will end and down the road perhaps he will think about the experience like my wife and I do. Oh, and be proud of yourself and She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed for raising a young man who thinks as he does.

Man, was that over the top deep or something?

[heironymouspasparagus]

Ahhhhh....the Marines!  The Few...the Proud...the Possessed!

One cousin was a lifer MP in the Marines.  He was/is one tough SOB.  It was a great life for him.

[Townsend]

Ahhhhh....the Marines!  The Few...the Proud...the Possessed!

One cousin was a lifer MP in the Marines.  He was/is one tough SOB.  It was a great life for him.

Man...why do you have to bait this thing?

[heironymouspasparagus]

Baiting??

Not trying to bait anyone with that.  I like and admire the Marines (my cousin was one and I like him a lot...).  It is just a satirical comment, with slight teasing comedic undertones.