Community Chat

[Nancy Drew]

You have to let adult children make their own lives. Time to focus on your own life and not be a burden to theirs. You got to do what you wanted when you were young now it is their turn. You have been in charge for 18 years so it is natural to be so involved, try getting busy with some project or hobby to take your mind off and get excited about doing something you enjoy.

[YorkieonmyPillow]

http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Military-Families/support-group

Military family support group..I can't vouch for it personally as I don't belong, but perhaps you can find understanding and support there.

My son wanted to join the Marines, but he cannot because he has epilepsy.

[RedTop]

My husband has a nephew in the Army right now, who is part of the prestigious Honor Guard. When he visits, he talks of how the military is changing; cutting back on the number of recruits, how many of the older servicemen are being retired much sooner, and how his plans have changed after just one year of service. As a college graduate with a specialized degree in electrical engineering, the Army will help your son expand and enhance his career beyond his greatest expectations. Yes, your son may have graduated college to find many job opportunities available, but his military experience will open the doors for federal job opportunities at the highest levels of pay in his field. Your son is obviously aware of what he can do for the U. S. Army, but more importantly what the Army can do for him as well. Relax and enjoy this ride.

[Nancy Drew]

On 1/3/2015 Bluegrassbaby said:

On 1/3/2015 sgraham30 said:

He actually complains a lot about the idiots that he works with, he has the same complaints that you hear in the civilian world: he's working with idiots who don't know what they're doing, his bosses, who have no clue of what his job entails are telling him how to do his job, etc.

In closing, it's a good lifestyle IF the person is willing commit to it & give it their all. The military is a very demanding job but the rewards are immense. There used to be a saying in the Navy: "your family wasn't issued with your seabag", which basically means that the job has to come first, before even your family.

While I know you have your own opinion, I think referring to our military as "idiots" is unjust. Also, a few other things you have stated are incorrect.....but I'm not responding further to my post.

My husband did 25 years starting at E-1 retiring as a CW03. I did 5 and my son is still in after 13 years. Idiots can mean many different things to different people. Are there people you don't like and do things in a different manner than you? Of course. BTW now than husband is in civilian job there are just as many people that are hard to like. I am so proud of the bulk of our military even tho we have our bad apples.

[raven-blackbird]

I don't have a son in the military........but I do have one that is a police officer, and now a days, it's like going to war, you just don't have to leave home to fight it, you just walk out your front door.

There isn't a day I don't secretly wish he had picked something else.......and that's selfish of me.......because IF he did, he would be living my life, the one I choose for him not his life, and doing what brings him contentment, accomplishment, self worth.

I'm proud of my son, I support his choice, I'm his biggest cheerleader............and inside I worry, I just keep it well hidden...........................................................raven

[sophiamarie]

Bluegrassbaby: I'm quite sure that sgraham wasn't saying that people in the military are idiots (although some, undoubtedly, are). She was saying that even in the military, as in civilian life, he had the same complaints about work, eg., his fellow workers were idiots, his bosses were idiots, etc. We've all pretty much done that at one time or another, thinking we're the only ones who REALLY know how things work. I haven't been appointed to speak for sgraham, so this is JMO.

sgraham30: I've stated before, my husband was career USAF and his brother, my BIL, was career USNavy. As coincidence would have it, my BIL was also Naval intelligence and also stationed in Japan. There, the differences begin. I asked them both about your post and they were surprised at the circumstances.

1. Why was your son's family not with him in Japan? That's not what is referred to as an "isolated tour."

2. Even if they chose that the wife remain in CONUS, why didn't he elect to take leave in all that time to see his new child and to spend some time with his wife? I believe the Navy would have flown him to Hawaii and she could have met him there where they could have been put up in guest housing for a week or two.

This information comes from my BIL but their circumstances being so similar, I'm guessing that the aforementioned would have been possible and your son and his family had their extended separation by "choice" and not because of his military duties. Today's military does almost everything to keep their troops and their families happy and well taken care of. The old adage of "The military didn't issue you a family," no longer applies.

Sorry for questioning your son's perspective but it's very curious and not the norm.

[ROMARY]

Maybe he will be/can request to be stationed in the electrical engineering department of the military! A win-win!

[sophiamarie]

Nancy Drew: I started typing then got interrupted for awhile. By the time I got back to finish, you had already posted and I didn't see it. I see we are both on the same track. What is the expression???? GMTA????

[Marienkaefer2]

On 1/3/2015 Bluegrassbaby said:

On 1/3/2015 sgraham30 said:

He actually complains a lot about the idiots that he works with, he has the same complaints that you hear in the civilian world: he's working with idiots who don't know what they're doing, his bosses, who have no clue of what his job entails are telling him how to do his job, etc.

In closing, it's a good lifestyle IF the person is willing commit to it & give it their all. The military is a very demanding job but the rewards are immense. There used to be a saying in the Navy: "your family wasn't issued with your seabag", which basically means that the job has to come first, before even your family.

While I know you have your own opinion, I think referring to our military as "idiots" is unjust. Also, a few other things you have stated are incorrect.....but I'm not responding further to my post.

The military is a comprised of people from many different backgrounds and experiences, with many different personalities, outlooks, etc, just as any organization is. Not everyone is a saint, not everyone is supremely smart or has good common sense. Not everyone has the highest motives, either. When you are doing a job in the military, you are working with others, and so naturally these differences among people come up. I don't take this as an insult to anyone. I think the poster was simply stating a fact of her son's experience.

[sophiamarie]

raven: