I thought some of the Old Salts in here who have been CO's or OinC's, even XO's or XPO's could help "cool my jets" on this issue.

As many of you know, my son is a U.S. Marine. Just this week, he went TDY from Camp Lejeune to a base out in nowhereville in the California desert. He was told he would either be working on vehicles or be a role player for the Urban Assault Training. His MOS is Amphibious Assault Vehicles Mechanic/Crewman.

Yesterday, on his first day, he was told for his six month detail there he would be in platoon who's mission it is to keep the grounds clean on the base, basically what I knew as Yard Maitenance when I was at the Support Center in Boston.

Now what I am wondering, with your own experience, would you put an MK3 who has been through MLE school in Yard Maitenance? Is that really the best use of his training?

The guy has been begging to be sent to Iraq or Afghanistan for the past year. You just know that somewhere there is a Marine at home with his wife and kids who is dreading his upcoming 3rd or 4th deployment. Why not send my son in his place?

Just so you know, like all Marines, my son completed Marine Combat Training and as I mentioned, also the Urban Assault Training, he recently qualified Expert on his M-16/203.

What I told him last night....just do your job, don't make waves and tactfully ask your Sgt back at Lejeune what he thinks. DO NOT MAKE A SCENE!

I know the saying, "Needs of the Service" but is this really the best use of his training? It's only going to kill his enthusiasm.

Don

Don,

Enthusiam is great to see in anyone.
We have all had to accept many things in life that led to other bigger and better things.

I would try and do the best job in my current position, and wait.

The way this country is headed, there will be plenty of chances to go in harm's way.

I have the greatest respect for your son.

I think all of us have had those $hitty little job days. I have two sons in the military. One CMDR (Navy)and one Corporal (Marine Corps). Over the years I've heard it all. Suck it up son, your day will come.

Don - tell him to take charge of the group, get the whol place shipshape in a week, then they will have to find something else for him to do for the rest of the time!

quote:

Originally posted by Ropechocker:
I think all of us have had those $hitty little job days. I have two sons in the military. One CMDR (Navy)and one Corporal (Marine Corps). Over the years I've heard it all. Suck it up son, your day will come.

I talked to him again last night. It was comforting for me to hear he pretty much has decided to make the best of it and do whatever he is told to do. I am glad he had some of that gun-ho tone to his voice again. That call the other night was really hard for a parent to handle.

I did tell him that we all have had to do our share of crap jobs...but it sure wasn't for 6 months straight in my case at least nor did I ever go TDY for such a job. To take a Marine who' job it is to work on AAV's in NC and send him all the way to California to pick up trash....it just doesn't add up to me.

Thank you all for responding.

Don

having been an XPO and OiC several times, I find that the toughest thing is to try and understand todays CG. When I discuss some of the situations and difficulties that my son has to deal with I find that I am of very little help to him. What seems simple and basic to me, is not so for him, as it is a different world now with a different way of doing things. I find that the best thing for me to do is to let him work through his own situations. (just like we did) It's what made us who we are and built our character. Sometimes thats tough to do as a dad. I find that the best thing that I can do for him with all my experience is just to be a good sounding board and let him work his way through it on his own. (just between you and me, thats what they are going to do anyway.)
Sometimes, I will offer some words of encouragement like, Son just remember that its always the darkest right before it's pitch black! Seriously, he will get through this and he will do just fine. After all, you raised him didn't you?
My best,to your Son. Dave

Thanks Dave. He'll survive I am sure.

Don

to poster 21yrsUSCGUSCS..

It's the military way!!!!! Upholding the tradition since the 1700's!!!

quote:

It was comforting for me to hear he pretty much has decided to make the best of it and do whatever he is told to do.

Don,

I'm sure it was very comforting for his Gunny Sgt. too!

Rather my son's ethusiam killed than his life killed by a 7.62x39 round to the skull after being sent to Iraq by a an administration run by a coup full of Chicken Hawks!

My son did two years in the Army and 15 months in Afghanistan never been the same since. I would not be so gun-ho to let him head over there.

I roger those last two.

As a father, believe me, I understand what you all are saying. However, when he joined the Marine Corps, I knew he didn't do it hoping he would stay in the States. I've got to support him on that.

Don

I would send his company commander and platoon sergeant a thank you letter. Sounds like they are trying to keep him out of harms way until he gets some age and experience under his belt. It's the young, green troops that are often at most risk.

chapwood.......

quote:

Originally posted by chapwood:
I would send his company commander and platoon sergeant a thank you letter. Sounds like they are trying to keep him out of harms way until he gets some age and experience under his belt. It's the young, green troops that are often at most risk.

chapwood.......

Good point. Who knows, that could be the idea. At least now when I talk to him, he sounds fine and has accepted his new job. He definitely wants to get back to Camp Lejeune to his old job but is content to do what they ask of him for now out there in California....I still am not sure exactly where. Some base about an hour and a half from Palm Springs. I'll ask him next time we talk.

His Sgt even invited him to spend the weekend at his house in San Diego to give him a break away from the base.

My son says he keeps getting hit up to be the designated driver for the other guys since my son is only 20 and still under age for the bars. Not exactly a fun way to spend each weekend.

Thanks again for everyone's help here.

Don

Sounds like Barstow, Ca.

Miles and miles of nothing but miles and miles.

Jack

I don't mean to be rude, but I think you need to let go and let him deal w/ this issues. Let him be a man. And if he welcomes your recurrent involvement in his day to day military affairs issues, I'm affraid you have not been doing him any good in preparing him for years to come. Remember, on the normal circle of life, you will go to the next world before him. What will he do when you are no longer here? Let him deal w/ it. Like someone indicated here, it will make him a better serviceman and better yet, a better man.

But it goes w/o saying, at some point we have all paid our dues one way or the other. It's the military way.

quote:

Originally posted by kekojones123:
I don't mean to be rude, but I think you need to let go and let him deal w/ this issues. Let him be a man. And if he welcomes your recurrent involvement in his day to day military affairs issues, I'm affraid you have not been doing him any good in preparing him for years to come. Remember, on the normal circle of life, you will go to the next world before him. What will he do when you are no longer here? Let him deal w/ it. Like someone indicated here, it will make him a better serviceman and better yet, a better man.

But it goes w/o saying, at some point we have all paid our dues one way or the other. It's the military way.

You're absolutely right. It's hard to find that right area between being a supportive dad and letting him handle life on his own.

Don

I try to help my two sons even as old as they are until they piss me off,my youngest spent some time in the marines,he did good in bootcamp but didn't like it after that and got out.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: chief74Ret,

My grandson was a Marine, he got out after 4 years could't find a job so he tried to get back in the Marines. NADA he went in the army and still admires the Marines.He wishes he hadn't gotten out.