Day 18 & 19 (April 28, 2016 & April 29, 2016)

Good Morning!


It's Friday and I have a new pep in my step today!  I FINALLY received my first letter! Whoo Hoo!!
Trent sent it to Traverse City and after feeling defeated mentally again yesterday, I received a text from Jacquie with a picture and text that read: MI got some good mail today!

As soon as I received the text I immediately called Jacquie and requested she open the letter and read it to me!  She did that and then sent me pictures of the letter.  I loved that he said share this with whoever! Guess what, you get to read it too?!?!?

I feel sad about hearing he had edema but it sounds as though that has been resolved.  I'm so proud of him and his determination to keep going!!!

All in all, it's a happy day for me!! 



Day 17 (April 27, 2016)

I didn't receive a letter yesterday, I'm still hoping one arrives today.


No words are needed for the video below... I love you Trent and THANK YOU!

I tried to post a video or link here but I was unable to save it to my computer for upload.  If you are interested, visit my Facebook page, it's label our troops.  It's a pretty cool and inspirational video regarding the service of our military personnel.

Day 16 (4/26/2016)

Still waiting for a letter...


I wonder how he is?  How is he feeling? How is doing? Is the Drill Instructor tolerable?  How are the guys in his platoon?  Is the routine setting in?  Is it any easier? And so on... Questions, questions and more questions.


I will keep sending my daily letters with encouraging words, motivational quotes, world news, sports news, etc. Just words to distract his mind an thoughts from the daily grind and constant barking of orders.


Today he is scheduled to do circuit courses and bases.


Hang in there Trent, you're getting closer to be one quarter of the way through!


PROUD MOMMA!!!!!

Day 12, 13, 14 & 15 (4/25/16)

Hello,


Catching up after a very busy weekend.  We were spending time with last minute visitors before we leave on May 4 for Travers City. 


After my meltdown on Thursday, I received word from Jeff that he received the form letter from Trent.  Jeff was kind enough to send me pictures of all the pages, including the letters from the Drill Instructors.  I'm not quite sure if I was relieved or more anxious! ;-) Included in the text with photos was a hand written note Trent slipped into the form letter packet (this was snuck in).  It warmed my heart to see his handwriting but reading how difficult this experience has been for him so far was sad for me.  As I've said over and over I KNOW this is the best thing in the world for him, hands down, without a doubt! With that being said, from a mother's perspective it's still difficult to see your child suffering; it's not a bad thing in any way in this situation, it's just hard.


The weekend was busy so I wasn't as consumed with wondering how/what he is doing, however disappointed again on Saturday when I didn't get a letter from him. On Saturday afternoon I put together a big list of motivational quotes and I will be sending those to him regularly from this point forward. I hope they will keep him motivated and positive.


One thing we have been reminded of over and over on the various websites, written information and Facebook pages is to keep all correspondence positive.  Do not focus or mention the pain and frustration he must be feeling and certainly do not pity him, keep it all positive. I've have been making a huge effort to do just that and I hope my letters will be beneficial for him!!


One thing we did learn when he sent the form letter with his address, the mailing address Jeff received from his local recruiter had the incorrect platoon number. Why is that important to note? I wanted him to hear from someone at home as soon as possible, therefore I sent numerous letters to him prior to receiving his "official" mailing address in the infamous form letter. I'm not certain if he received or will receive those letters.  At least I was thinking ahead enough to write to him using a Word document and I was able to resend most everything to the correct address.  There were a couple handwritten notes included, but a least he will get most everything that had already been sent once, maybe now he'll get it twice!


Sunday I picked up printed photos I ordered, stamps and #10 white envelopes to send his letters in.  We have been advised to use only #10 white envelopes to not draw any attention to his mail and cause him to be singled out by the Drill Instructors. The only writing on the outside is his address and my return address. I also included several self addressed stamped envelopes and also a few spare stamps so he should have what he needs to write to others! I've also learned sending him envelopes already addressed will save him time with writing since he has such a limited amount of time each day to himself.  All those items went in the mail today!


I was disappointed again today to not see a letter in my mailbox from him... I know one will show up soon, just not soon enough. :-(


If you wish to write to Trent, his mail address is:


Recruit Waugh, Trenton J
2nd Bn Echo Co. Plt. 2106
36001 Midway Ave.
San Diego, California 92140-2106

Day 11 (4/21/16)

It's hard for me to express the feelings I have about Trent being away at boot camp. It's a strange feeling, not that I feel he is in harms way or that he shouldn't be embarking on this adventure, both couldn't be further from the truth.  The strange feeling stems from my inability to communicate with him. 


I know some don't understand why I'm obsessed with hearing from him and thinking about him and wondering what and how he is doing.  I can't really explain it myself, other than over the last 29 years I've never gone more than 3 or 4 days without some type of communication with him.  It may have been a phone call, text, email, Facebook post of some sort or even something someone else shared that involved him in some way.  But this, this radio silence is very foreign to me.  It's not that's I need, want or expect to be in contact with my soon to be 29 year old child on a daily basis, it's just strange to have all communication abruptly cut off. 


I have been reprimanded by some to "Just stop, he's fine", I'm not arguing that point in any way because I believe that as well.  I've also been told "you're becoming obsessed, stop reading so much.  Those other mothers have 18 year old sons, not 28 year olds".  Does that mean I should stop worrying and/or thinking about my children when they reach a certain age?  Trent has always been very communicative with me, and his Dad.  He seems to enjoy sharing events in his life with me/us and to be honest, I enjoy hearing about them.  I joke and say "I'm his drive time phone call"  but truth be told, I really like that.  Maybe I'm the reason it's taken so long for him to find his way, have I road blocked his ability to become an independent, grown adult? Has my need to feel important, loved, and appreciated by my child (children) handicapped him/them? Forgive my ramblings, I guess I've hit that time when I just need to express my thoughts, fears, worries and so on...


I think this has all bubbled to the surface because I just don't know, I don't know what I should or should not be doing.  I read and re-read posts other seasoned parents have written offering advice etc.  Some coincides with what I've been doing and other comments indicate I'm doing things completely wrong.  I don't want to make Trent's time difficult by doing the wrong thing such as sending too many letters, sending letters too early, sending pictures in letters because his Drill Instructor has forbidden him from receiving photos (yes this is a possibility).


Guess what? I've sent letters to the address provided by his recruiter, which will arrive to him about the same time his form letter should have reached one of us that includes his address.  This could very well be mistake number one.  Mistake number 2 could be the fact that I've sent three letters on three consecutive days since obtaining his address (too much mail could single him out).  Mistake number three, I included photos on several pages of his first letter, photos that I thought he would enjoying seeing, some he's seen and others are recent since he left.


Perhaps now, you can begin to see why my anxiety is building and why I anxiously await his first letter.  It doesn't matter if it's the form letter or a handwritten letter personalized for just me that first letter from him will hopefully give me/us some direction on how to proceed from here! His Dad and I made a pact yesterday that we were going to hold off on mailing him any more letters until the form letter has been received.  And so we wait...


In other recruit news, today he will learn about Tactical Combat Casualty Care in a nutshell First Aid for a fellow Marine during combat.

Day 9 (4/19/20) & Day 10 (4/20/16)

80 days until graduation,  Yes, I'm counting down!  Monday, Jeff connected with Staff Sgt. Dejong at Trent's recruiting office.  He was given Trent's address to mail letters and letters ONLY! Everything I read on my Facebook sites and the websites state not to mail anything until the form letter arrives with the address Trent has provided.  I decided to mail letters Monday and Tuesday anyway.  I sent him the journal I've been keeping for him since he left to keep him updated on life's happenings! I knew if I didn't record it as it happened, I would NEVER remember it!  Just a reminder of old age creeping in! LOL  When the form letter arrives, if the address is different than what I've been sending his mail to, I will resend the journal/letters to the new address, that will ensure he receives them.


I will provide his address here as soon as I have the address from the form letter.  As I mentioned before, he would love to get mail from any of you!


I must admit even I run out of things to write (imagine that)!  I've been keeping him updated on world news, Red Wing scores and information I think he might find a bit interesting.  I've been told, they love to get photos.  All letters must be delivered in a white #10 envelop, nothing on the outside except the address.  I'm not even going to mail him a birthday card, just put happy birthday inside a letter to him. 


I guess this cartoon sort sums up boot camp!!

Day 8 (4/18/16)

Well, one week is behind Trent as he entered a whole new world.  This world I'm sure, is like nothing he's ever known.  A world of discipline, respect, physical pain related to soreness, hoarse voice, extreme fatigue and likely a bit of regret at this point for making this decision.  I am confident as time goes on, he will endure the challenges put before him and likely excel in every way.  He will come out on the other side, a strong, mature, confident and respectful young man, ready to serve his country; he will be a Marine!


Today his calendar indicates he will be issued his weapon, an M16 rifle.  He will learn how to handle and care for it (disassembly and cleaning). He will also spend time in a classroom environment beginning to learn the core values of the Marine Corp.


Today, I anxiously await the form letter with his mailing address.

Day 6 (4/16/16) & Day 7 (4/17/16)

Spending time in St. Johns with Betsie and Bobby was helpful in feeling connected with family.  I spend a great deal of time reading and researching and learning what I can about what Trent and the other new recruits are dealing with on a daily basis. 

I purchased a book - Making the Corps.  It is a very detailed description of the boot camp process on Parris Island back in 1997.  The first thing I noticed is in 1997 boot camp was only 12 weeks and it now 13.  The first week referred to as receiving is separated from the Form stage which he started on Friday when he was moved to Camp Pendleton and met his drill instructors.  David and I listened to the book most of the way to and from St. Johns and to be honest, I don't know how anyone survives boot camp! I know understand the phrase, The Few, The Proud, The Marines even more!

Betsie and I spent the day with Bobby's Mom doing some shopping and preparing for their neighborhood low country boil.  Ann and Scott (Bobby's parents) brought all the fix in's which consisted of oysters, crawfish, crab legs and shrimp.  I learned you suck the head of the crawfish because that's where all the good juice is.  I decided to pass on that little adventure, but I did eat the remainder of it as directed!  In addition to the sea food, there were also potatoes and corn. 

 



 It was a fun experience enjoyed by friends, family and neighbors the only thing missing was Trent...





Day 5 (4/15/16)

Today Trent will move from the Recruit Training Depot and be transported to Camp Pendleton about 60 miles away. Upon arrival the recruits will meet their Drill Instructors that they will be spending the next 12 weeks with.  These are the men who while shape them into Marines. 


This is also the day he will be tested on his physical ability by performing his Initial Strength Test.  This test I'm not overly worried about, he has been tested in the past and has exceeded the minimum requirements.


I have immersed myself in reading and learning everything I can about Boot Camp and what he may be experiencing.  I have joined two Facebook pages, one for recruit parents and one for his group called the Echo Co MCRD San Diego.  He is part of the Echo company and will be assigned his Company and Platoon in the next day or two.


I also learned that he likely received a shot in the last few days that is referred to as Peanut Butter.  The reason it's called this is because the consistency is thick and takes a long time to injected in his rear. Apparently it is quite painful and the pain lasts for about a week. My understanding it is administered to prevent illness due to living in close quarter and consists of high doses of antibiotics.  I'm sure he loved that little adventure!


I have been journaling everyday so I can keep in the loop of what is going on in the news, life, etc. He has zero contact about the outside world, he is living and breathing Boot Camp only! I have been including scores the and standing for the Stanley Cup Playoffs and any other lighthearted news I think he would find interesting. 


I have learned from my research and group participation that I can call his Recruiter on Tuesday to get his mailing address.  If all goes as planned his first letter will be in the mail on Tuesday.  Once I have that information I will add it to a post in the blog.  My request is that all of you will please write to him. I have learned, mail call is truly their highlight of the day.  Imagine how disappointing it must be for those recruits that don't receive much mail.  I plan to make sure he receives at least one letter a day! I'm busy writing them now in preparation to send!  All I know is that is going to be ALOT of letters and will take some major discipline on my part!! I may need to organize a list of people who will take a day or two so I know one is going out each day.  Please let me know if you would like to be added to the list! One last thing about letter writing, please do NOT use colored envelopes, stickers, any decoration on the outside.  If the Drill instructors see anything out of the ordinary white envelope, they will single him out and make it a more challenging day for him!  I guess this is their form of teasing! ;-)


I'm excited that today David and I will be heading to Jacksonville to spend the weekend with Betsie and Bobby.  It will be a welcome change to spend some time with my daughter and help me to not be consumed wondering what Trent is going through at various times throughout the day.


Happy Friday!

Day 4 (4/14/16)

Waiting...

Day 3 (4/13/16)

Waiting...

Day 2 (4/12/16)

Not much to report today other than Trent called his Dad at 11:20 p.m. last night.  He read the scripted message.  His Dad texted me at 11:23 and said he sounded good!

Here's an idea of what he endured last night upon arrival:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6Ly1F59wxQ 

Day two involves more intake such as physicals, uniforms, etc.  I'm sure it's a whirlwind for him right now!

Day ONE (April 11, 2016)

Good Morning, this is the day! 

My morning began at 6:00 a.m. with my first text from Trent asking if I received login documents he sent minutes before midnight last night for his online accounts. I immediately responded knowing his phone was scheduled to be turned off and was surprised I was receiving a text at all.  Further text message communication ensued with me telling him how proud of I am of him and how much I love him.  One of the most heartwarming texts he sent read "I can't believe I'm finally doing it 11 years later". 

His "Good Luck" party was a huge success that his Dad and Anna threw for him on Saturday night.  I wish I would have been there to celebrate with him! His buddy Brad drove 8 hours from Kentucky to surprise him and returned back the next day for work. All of his best buddies, family and friends showed up to rally around him providing love and support.

Trent and his Dad (Jeff) 4/9/16

 

Sunday he arrived at the office for a briefing at 11:30 a.m..  Originally he would have left leaving on the shuttle following the meeting for Lansing but his buddy Tom agreed to drive him there. First stop in Lansing was to spend some time with his cousin Niki and her family.  He loves seeing them, especially her two boys, William and Andrew! When it was time to leave their house for his 5:00 meeting the reality was setting in along with a bit of anxiety.  Thankfully they were able to squeeze in a picture.
 

Andrew, William, Jason, Trent, Niki

 

I learned he will be traveling with 3 other recruits and a buddy system was put in place; his buddy will also be his bunk mate in boot camp.  The shuttle arrived at 6:30 a.m. to transport him to MEPS for the final preparation before leaving for San Diego.  His Dad arrived by 8:30 a.m. to accompany him through another swearing in ceremony, airport departure with final hugs and well wishes!  He completed his swearing in at 10:00 a.m. and signed his contract. I received a text from him from his Dad's phone.  It read:  "It's me mom. Dad took a bunch of pictures.  I'm not a civilian anymore"... WOW!!!! Followed by, him telling me there is no reason to cry, I explained they are tears of happiness and pride.  I said, "You are starting to live your dream" and he replied "that I am".

 

April 11, 2016 

 

 This young man is off to begin living his dream, to make a difference and to serve his country. 

Honor, Courage, Commitment - Semper Fi

 



Boot Camp Preparation Week

As the week draws near an end, I am filled with so many emotions.  My heart is bursting with pride and also breaking at the same time.  I know this sounds ridiculous, but I have NEVER gone more than a week or two without some type of communication with Trent in nearly 29 years!  So, to say the transition will be strange is a understatement not just for me/us but for Trent as well I'm sure! I know he is about to begin the most rewarding journey of his life and will finish a strong, confident, mature man, and for that I am incredibly grateful. This experience is truly an answer to prayer.

The beginning of the week started with Trent being called into the office to complete another round of paperwork.  He was advised by his recruiter this week should be low key.  Workouts should be on his own and just enough to stay active but nothing strenuous.  They want him rested and free of any muscle soreness upon his arrival to San Diego.

I received a call from him mid-week when he was commenting on how strange it felt to be packing up his things for storage.  He knows it will be several months before any of those things are needed again.  He will return for  leave in July after boot camp for only 10 days.  He will start the first 5 days in Traverse City with David and me and then finish the last 5 days in Freeland with is Dad and Anna.  During his time in Freeland, he plans to attend warrior training with the recruits as a new Marine! Following his leave he will return to San Diego for infantry training.

As the week progressed, I immersed myself in reading & learning all I could about boot camp.  I read and re-read numerous articles on RecruitParents.com.  I joined Facebook pages and signed up for newsletters.  Probably the most moving piece of information I encountered was a YouTube video I watched named Earning the Title Marine:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywMOVae6FWI . 

That video made me realize what this young man is about to endure and shed new light on how difficult the next thirteen weeks will be for him or anyone that chooses this path. WOW! As I watched the video, my anxiety level began to escalate and my eyes filled with tears and suddenly this momma bear wanted to protect her cub just like I did when he was a child! As the tears began to fall, I reminded myself what a heroic choice he has made to serve his country.   My anxious tears turned to tears of pride, and my anxiety was subdued with thoughts of graduation. I also reminded myself that many young boys/men just like him have already completed this journey and survived it and he will too! I continue to focus on the positive and put my mothering instincts aside and face the reality Trent is no longer my baby but a MAN who will be honored for service to his country. 

The work week ended with a phone call received by Trent from Washington D.C., the FBI to be exact!  He was told to report to the office on Friday for a meeting with an FBI agent to discuss the last 7 years of  his life. Trent followed up with a call to SGT. Parker asking him why he was being interviewed!  He was informed that it is common for recruits to be randomly chosen for interviews. I was relived but still found it a bit unnerving to think about an FBI interview.  He completed his interview and went home to watch the Master's and help prepare for his "Good Luck'" party.

Sunday he will arrive at the office at 11:00 a.m. to board the shuttle to Lansing.  He has planned to spend Sunday afternoon/evening with his cousin Niki and her family.  Being with family will help to keep him grounded and occupied versus spending his free time in the hotel.  Two meetings are scheduled for Sunday evening, one just for Marine recruits and another for all recruits staying at the hotel.  Monday morning he is out the door bright and early (6:30 a.m.) to be shuttled to MEPS.  Upon arrival he will be sworn in again and at some point be shuttled to the airport for departure to San Diego. Thankfully, his Dad will arrive Monday morning to be with him as he prepares to embark on this journey. I wish I were going to be there as well to tell him in person how proud I am of him, but for now he will need to hear it in my voice and see me via Facetime as I wish him well and extend a virtual momma bear hug and kiss for luck!

And now, we count down the hours until he boards that bus for the airport on Monday...

I did not publish this post until today (Monday, April 11) after Trent was on his way even though I composed it on Saturday, April 9. I didn't want him to know the emotional roller coaster this has been for me, he didn't need to be concerned how I was feeling or how bittersweet this experience has been and will continue to be for me. This entire journey is about him as he makes his way to becoming the strong, confident man he is about to transform into.

Decision to Acceptance

It has been quite a journey from the time Trent met with is recruiter until the day he was sworn in and signed his contract.  There have been a multitude of ups and downs but each day we are one day closer to the start of his new "career".

Soon after meeting with his recruiter in December, he went to Bay City to take his ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) test for placement. We were all pleased with his score of 92 which would help ensure he would be accepted.

Training began in late December with his first introduction to warrior training on a Thursday afternoon.  What was detailed to me sounded grueling, and this was only training!  Thankfully he has stayed physically active throughout his life, so he was able to take on the challenge and feel confident that warrior training would get easier; and it did! In addition to warrior training on Thursday afternoons, he also began showing up for daily workout sessions at the office with other recruits to build up his endurance and strength. 

Next was his first trip to MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) in Lansing for his physical in mid January.  His journey to MEPS began on Monday morning leaving from the office via a contracted government van with other recruits.  The process is, the recruits are dropped off at a hotel where they may room with another recruit.  They are on their own until 6:30 a.m. the next morning when they are picked up and delivered to MEPS.  Each recruit may have a different purpose upon arriving at MEPS. Some may be there to be sworn in, others to ship out and some, such as Trent for physicals, etc.

Following MEPS our first waiting period began... Trent was flagged with a medical issue that could have prevented him from being accepted due to a kidney stone he had 8 years earlier.  The doctor performing the exam cleared him, however it was headquarters that needed to give the final approval.  The waiting time would be 2-6 weeks.  This news was disheartening considering Trent needed to be fast tracked in boot camp due to his age.  He will be 29 on May 16 and MUST arrive in San Diego on or before his 29th birthday in accordance to the age restriction of 18-28.

Just over two weeks later we received word that he needed a medical waiver and more testing was required before he would be accepted.  He had a visit with his personal doctor per military orders and all tests came back normal.  Again, this information was sent to headquarters while another waiting period ensued. He was then informed he needed to report to MEPS again for an MRI and doctor visit.  Once again, he was told all looked normal BUT official review and acceptance of a medical waiver needed to come from the top!  Another long 2 and half weeks later, we learned that he was cleared! This final clearance came at the end of March with the May 16 deadline drawing closer. 

On March 28, 2016 Trent traveled to MEPS once again to be sworn in as a Marine Corps recruit. On the morning of March 29, 2016 Trent woke up as a civilian and ended his day as a United States Marine Corps recruit!  What a huge hurdle for him to accomplish and what a huge sense of pride for his family!  Thankfully his Dad and Step-Mom were able to be there to support him as well as capture the moment on video!  I am bursting with pride knowing the admirable career my son is about to embark on!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5e80SeiaUNreGhPR1hDVnFHS0U/view?usp=sharing