Hey everybody,
Just wanted to introduce myself! I've written on one or two boards in the past week or so, but I think this is my first entry on this board. I dropped my husband off at the hotel last night (I don't know how it is in other cities, but in Denver everybody who's shipping out stays at a hotel the night before they leave, because they have to go to MEPS at 4:30am, and then go straight to the airport from MEPS), and he's probably sitting in the airport right now. He's heading to Ft. Knox for Basic, then Benning for OCS. I know that I'll probably jump into a conversation here and there, so I just wanted to say hi. This website has been a God-send in the past couple of months as we've been going through the application process and counting down until, well, today. Now begins the process of counting down to graduation!
~Colleen

well welcome to the sisterhood. Just hold tight and basic will be over before you know it.

we're here if you need anything.

Hello!! Welcome!!! My hunnie went to Fort Knox as well!!! You guys will be fine and like jillandmatt said, it'll be over before you can imagine!!! i look back at those weeks that he was gone...well months...cuz it's like 9 -10 weeks...but i look back and it flew by so fast...keep urself busy and if u hav a cell phone, keep it on u as much as u can!!! Stay strong!!

Thanks, ladies! So far I'll be doing okay, until somebody asks me how I'm doing. Then my eyes fill up pretty quickly. My dad was in the Army (although he left the military before I was born) and my brother is currently a captain in the Army (was in Iraq for all of 2005), so it almost feels like my husband is going into the family business. My sister-in-law emailed me and said the same thing that you both are saying, about how the time flies. I'm training for a half-marathon that takes place around when we're anticipating he'll graduate (I'm holding off on registering, though, until I get confirmation of his graduation date because I don't want the two dates to conflict), and I know that it'll be here WAY before I'm ready.

We just dropped off my fiancee for a 6 week stint in one of the 'Stan's. It's the longest he'll have been gone since we've been together and the first trip where we couldn't be in somewhat constant contact with each other via text/IM. I've had a rough week and am now just kind of numb to it. I travel a few days next week and am afraid that once I get back and we've not had contact and the dust settles a bit, it will hit me pretty hard. However, I love him and that's a part of it, so I know I will get through it. We will ALL get through our honies being gone!

It's so rough! I have been doing pretty well--no major breakdowns or anything. But I just talked to him for the first time about an hour ago and I totally started crying! At this early stage, when I'm still really raw emotionally, it' almost easier to not talk to him, because when I do talk to him it reminds me about how much I miss him!

I posted this bit in Military 101 earlier today. You might want to catch the entire post (it's pretty short so far) titled "So your spouse (etc) has joined...".

-If you don't have a cell phone, get one and keep it with you all the time.
-Don't skip a phone call. It might be the only time they can talk. Yes, that might mean walking out of church or class or even missing a meeting at work.
-Jason is right to cry if you think you need to but not when you are talking to them. Always, if at all possible, be cheerful and supportive. If you cry during the entire phone call, they get depressed.

It does get better.

Former YN1(SS) and now Cav Scout dad

Oh my gosh, I would never intentionally skip a phone call from him--that's not what I was saying at all! In fact, I had missed a call from him earlier (during the TWO MINUTES I had stepped away from my cell phone--what are the odds?) and I was devastated. I think my tears were more relief that I had gotten a 2nd chance to talk to him after all because he was able to try to call back. I pulled it together and we had a good chat.

Hang in there and try and be strong. Anyway, your in good hands here

This is my first time posting as well. I've been reading the posts on and off for a few weeks but this post struck a chord with me as my boyfriend left today as well for the navy. How long did it take to get your phone call? Any responses would be appreciated.

Hey sunshine, welcome! Sucks, doesn't it? :-) It's been a week for me and I'm kind of surprised that the week went as quickly as it did. Rich left on Thursday and I got my first quick phone call on Tuesday. I think the only reason he was able to call me is because he was working on his student loan payment stuff and he had to tell me about it. And I got my first letter from him yesterday! Yea!

It's definitely rough, and my emotions are a total roller coaster. But every day we get through is just one day closer to seeing our men again, right?

I'm also in the same situation as you... My husband left for Ft. Benning on July 30th for his basic training and AIT, so he'll be gone for (atleast) 14 weeks. Is the first time I've been without him and it is tough!! He called for the first time today, because he hasn't yet gotten through processing and says he is basically just sitting around while everything is getting put together.
I am so grateful to finally find other people that know exactly what I am going through. People at home are extremely supportive, but deep down you know that they could never relate. This place truly is a godsend.

Keep in touch!
Katelyn

Hello, I'm new to the site but I'm engaged to an Army Officer stationed in Afghanistan. When we were first dating he was able to keep in touch on an almost daily basis. Now that things are getting worse over there I hear from him once or twice a week. I've been reading some of the posts on the site for a week or two now and it has made me feel better knowing there are others in my situtation that I can talk to.

God bless you all!

I have been without my DH too for over 2 months, and it's really hard! I get to see him just for a few days, then he's off again for another few months! I would like to say I hope it gets easier, but I don't think saying goodbye to someone you love over and over ever does! They need your support so much when they're gone, the get shown videos and stuff that the odds are stacked against people in relationships. I know they only do this to keep them focused on Military thinking, but it's put my honey's mind all in a dither!!! Keep writing, at LEAST one letter a day-more if you can, they thrive on mail call!!! Also as SOON as you can send pics....DO IT! They usually have a place to put them, and love to show us off, so send away!

We're all here to lend an ear of a shoulder to cry on, this place truly has been my salvation!

-Shan

Thanks for your perspective, army_wife_and_rockin, as someone who's a little farther down the road. I can't imagine that it gets much easier, but it's tough to think of it always being this hard! I got to talk with my DH yesterday evening for TWELVE MINUTES! I was so excited. It was the first call I've gotten since he's been at training (as opposed to reception). Plus, I finally got his address so I can send him the two weeks' worth of letters I've written to him! He told me that he's a squad leader, so he may not have a lot of time to write letters (he said that some of the younger guys are writing 2-4 letters a day, thus causing them to slack off a little bit, thus causing some of the more responsible guys to pick up the slack so they all don't get in trouble), and I told him that I'm doing fine and he doesn't need to worry about me, and that the goal is for HIM to stay encouraged. I've got people like you all to keep me encouraged! It's so great to be able to communicate with people who know exactly what I'm going through. Anybody else have a mother-in-law who isn't thrilled with her DS being in the military?

I'm so jealous of you RC =). I haven't gotten to speak to mine except for the short call from reception. Still haven't gotten his address either. I'm hoping that it will come in the next few days. I don't know what I would do without this site, because none of my friends understand what I'm going through. They keep telling me to just forget about him. Its nice to be able to read some other posts and it puts my situation in perspective. Good luck to you and your DH.

RCK-Well, with my MIL, she's a very negative person, she forgets that her son is no longer a wild teenager, he's a responsible adult. He always feels like he has to sound up and happy whenever he talks to her on the phone, otherwise she'll be like, Oh, I knew he wouldn't like it, he won't make it etc.

Drives me crazy, I mean he can't always be in a good mood, and I understand that when he's grumpy, it's because he's hot and tired. Doesn't mean he's gonna "jump ship", go awol etc.

That's why I feel like I have to be extra supportive to make up for her not so thought through comments she tends to make. In fact, I make up for all the unsupportive comments that everyone else makes. They just don't get it! He's living his dream and I as his wife supporting and encouraging him in this is important and makes he happy to do so.

We ride this rollercoaster of waiting for communication from our men, but we can do it, believe in yourself. I've been through the initial 4 months of basic/AIT last year. Now we're going through 1st deployment. As I've heard from others on this site, you will find out how strong you really are. Be proud!!! And don't let others bring you down!!!!

I am feeling the same way you are. My hubby left today to stay overnight at the hotel in Houston and he is also heading to Fort Knox for basic tomorrow. I really don't know what to do now. I am already feeling the loneliness. I fight my tears because I don't want my children to see me cry and know that mommy's crying because daddy's not here.

I also feel like if I let my tears out while I'm alone I will not stop. My husband told me to be strong and that he will call as soon as he gets a chance. Maybe I should let my tears flow now to get it out of my system before he is able to call. He has always known me as the determined and strong willed person of our relationship.

I would hate to crumple up on a phone call and have him worrying about my emotional state.

But besides my aching eyes, I am so very proud of my husband for doing what is right. I know that he will make it through basic doing his best. I am glad to have found a place to come to when I need support and I thank you all for being here for others when they need your help.

By the way, my name is Trisha and I will be posting alot. I have alot to ask!

Specialistwife-It is best to get it out, but not in front of your children if you can help it. He'll need to hear your doing well when you do get that 1st phone call. Trust me, there will be days when you feel down and want to cry, but they pass just as quick as they come. Keep busy, and with children that shouldn't be hard.

HUGS

Hey, Specialistwife, welcome! Yesterday was the two-week mark of my husband being at basic. For me, I'm feeling pretty stable now. The first week was really rough. I cried a lot when we hung up from our first phone call, because talking to him just reminded me about how much I missed him. But since he's been gone, Lucy (our dog) and I have gotten ourselves into a little routine and the time is passing pretty quickly! I write him a letter every day, and that helps a LOT because it feels like I'm talking to him the way I normally would.