Hello everyone,
This is my first post. I am crying as I write this. My nephew leaves for basic tomorrow morning (they take him to the hotel this afternoon). He is so proud and so excited - how can I not be. I feel like my heart is breaking. I feel like I will miss him so much. What if he hates it? How long til we see him again? What is basic training like? What happens after that (he is supposed to do Airborne after basic). I have so many feelings, probably because of the unknown. How does everyone deal with these emotions? My heart is breaking.

proudaunt, i know exactly how you are feeling. I felt the same way when my son first left for basic training.

Your Nephew will be fine, the Army will take care of him. You will be able to write to him after he goes through the 2 weeks of reception, and then he will send you the address to where to write to him. He might even be able to call you when they are allowed to.

You will be able to see him when Basic training is complete at his graduation.

I know its tough, but you have to be strong for him and continue to be proud of him, then in no time you will be at his graduation. Don't let him know how down you are, that will make it so much harder on him. You will be fine, trust me i know.

The Army does take care of thier soldiers, so please don't worry, he will be fine.

She's right, don't worry, well, at least try not to! My hubby is over there right now in BCT, and the first few letters were horrible, so be prepared...then, once he got used to what was expected of him, (and the weather, lol) he has really been enjoying himself. I look forward to seeing him in a few more weeks at Family day and Graduation. Just remember, he's not supposed to enjoy getting yelled at and harrassed 24/7, but it will make him a good soldier, and a better person, I can guarantee it! You'll be proud, and just know that he's chosen to do something that less than 1% of the people in this country volunteer for....right!?

That's something that an Aunt can be proud of!

He probably will not like basic training and the phone calls and letters may be "down" on his part. They get through it and are glad they stuck it out usually.

Try not to worry about all the "what if's" because it will drive you crazy.

Hang in there and you'll get plenty of good advice here!


Sgt Mom

Hiya Proudaunt!

You should be VERY proud, your nephew has made the most courageous, adult decision he ever will make. Just know that with 200 years experience, they will take care of every single one of his needs. He will hate it, too. Every second of the first half he will regret ever joining, but it's all uphill, and he will be so happy he made this choice. Basic is HARD. Damn hard, but you don't make a man through cuddling! The best thing you can do is make SURE everyone who loves him writes. After a 75 hour day (I swear in basic that's how long they were!) of being told you folded your underwear wrong, a letter from home saying who won the ballgame, how the cats are doing, and how everyone is thinking about you, makes the day just melt right off and allows tomorrow to come nice and fresh. You will only get mail from him once a week at most, so just hang in there! Two or three pictures (total, not in every letter - they have limited space and might have to trash some) of the family and the pets will also help. My wife is in basic now, and she told me on the nights she doesn't have mail (which is very infrequent!) she sits by her bunk and looks at her pictures for a few minutes before doing some free-time studying. Before you know it, basic will be over, and you will get to see him in his dress uniform for his graduation. I promise you will see a glow of pride on his face for what he has achieved, and you will cry a river. Happy, proud tears!!
Just keep writing and he'll be just fine.

Good Luck!

Jason

Proud Aunt, what a lucky guy your nephew is to have your love and strong support! From one who's been through it not once but twice, remember there's a reason he signed up to serve and try to keep that in mind as consolation. Revel in the changes he'll undergo - the next time you see him, he'll be standing taller, filled with more confidence for having gone through such a trial, and know more about himself than he ever did before.

Serving in the military is an honorable calling, whether it is for a short, three year stint or career-long effort.

Thank him for me.