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Our oldest daughter left for 9 weeks of Army training in South Carolina today. The send off was bittersweet. I am weepy and happy for her at the same time. The thought of her in harm’s way keeps me awake at night, but a career in the Army is something she’s wanted since she was 10-years-old.
After South Carolina, she will attend the Monterey Language Institute for a year for total immersion in learning a language. She doesn’t know which language yet, but she is hoping for Arabic or Chinese.
Her sense of duty to the country and desire to serve is strong. I’m not sure where it comes from. It isn’t as though we say the Pledge of Allegiance at the dinner table every night. I admire her passion and commitment more that words can express.
How did she know she wanted to be in the Army? While on vacation in New York City when she was 10, my brother-in-law suggested a day trip to West Point for a picnic and to take in the fall colors. The day was glorious and as we walked across the campus and she said, “This is what I want to do with my life.”
As a senior in high school, she considered applying to West Point but decided she wanted a traditional college experience. So fifteen years later, she is following her dream and is now a soldier.
Please keep her, as well as all our soldiers, in your thoughts and prayers.
I’m proud to be an American and I am proud of our daughter. Be safe honey.
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Congratulations on raising a daughter with independence and courage, you know you did something right there.
Thank you. She is a brave and purpose driven girl.
By the way, thank your daughter for me for her desire to serve our country.
I most certainly will.
I give credit to the Monterey Language Institute for being in San Diego. To wit:
Back in 1992 a friend, former roommate, and former employee called from Monterey asking me if I would come see him graduate from MLI. He was crying. None of his family would go to the graduation. I felt sorry for him but also saw a great opportunity for a fantastic road trip: College Station, Texas, to Monterey, California.
The graduation was on the Tuesday after Memorial Day, and since my business catered to college students at Texas A&M University, who were on their three-week break between spring and summer semesters, I jumped in the Mustang and headed on out.
I got to San Diego with the intent of taking Pacific Coast Highway all the way to Monterey and stopping at all the Vista Points, which I did, turning an 8-hour trip into a five-day trip.
I was at the Vista Point at Torrey Pines Glider Port, up on cliffs 300 feet high and lookng down at Blacks Beach and the Pacific Ocean, thinking to myself, “Someday I will retire to San Diego.”
Eleven months later and I had, indeed, retired to San Diego. After a year of living here as a retiree, I put myself back in the work force. The rest, as they say, is history.
That is a great story! A five day trip up the coast of California would make anyone want to move here. Was your Mustang a classic? I drove a 1965 Mustang in high school and until the poor gal died in about 1984.
But how sad. Why wouldn’t your friend’s family go to the graduation?
Robin, I can’t remember if I commented on hard copy–I read it and commented in my head, and actually think I tried to on phone, but I don’t see it here. My apologies. I hope you are having an easier day today. I am so happy for her to follow her dream, sad for the angst it causes her mother. I know that feeling. One of mine wants to fly fighter jets, and while I would be ecstatic for him to fulfill his dream, it would scare the peewaddle out of me. Hugs to you in the coming days, and best wishes for your daughter!
Thank you so much Arnel. I am doing better. We were able to talk to her yesterday and because I didn’t hear fear or worry in her voice, only excitement, it helped me to feel better. I guess she goes into radio silence for a while.
My daughter wanted (for a brief while) to fly jets. I reminded her that she gets air sick, claustrophobic, and doesn’t like heights. She reconsidered.
How old are your boys?
The twins will be 16 July 22, and Bugs will be 17 August 11. I can’t believe how fast time went–seems like yesterday I was carting 3 babies around. As hard as it was, I miss those days. I’m glad to hear your daughter is excited and happy. It’s a whole new world for her.
YOU HAD THREE BABIES UNDER THE AGE OF ONE!?!?! Wow. My hat’s off to you. No wonder the name of your blog is “all things boys.” I didn’t realize they are so close in age.
Hehe. I was actually due the day after Bugs’ first birthday, but being twins they were early. If you go to archives of my sight (not that you have to) and go to the very beginning, I posted a little about the early years. It’s funny, they are individuals, but sometimes they seem like a set of something. Like they just belong together.
I will most certainly take a look.
When my youngest was born, the other two were 2 and 4 years old. It feels like just the other day. Now they are 21, 23, and 25. Whaaaaat?
WOW! Congratuations to ALL of you, including Mother and daughter. It’s always difficult letting go and let our children fly. You must be so proud.
I am proud! She just called as they won’t take their phones away until they reach Fort Jackson. They put her in a leadership position already! She is in charge of the recruits while they travel. She is a natural born leader. Where the heck did she learn that?!?
Congrats to your daughter and to you and your family. You must be very proud, to have raised a woman who knows who she is, what she wants to do with her life, and for choosing to give service to her country. Impressive!
Thank you. We are proud of her and proud of all our soldiers for their service. Her vision at such an early age is remarkable too. I hope her term of service takes her to interesting places.
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Well good for her, following her dreams! I’ll keep her in my prayers.
Thank you. If there is room, include all of our soldiers in your prayers.
There’s definitely room. I will.
God bless her and your family. I don’t say this very often. But those who serve our country in harms way deserve the very best.
How kind you are. Thank you. Selfless service to one’s country and fellow citizens is a noble pursuit.
Wow, I don’t think I could add anything new to the wonderful comments you’ve already received. So I’ll simply say congratulations to your daughter for following her dreams and congratulations to you for being a supportive and understanding mother.
Thank you JM. The outpouring of support has made today much easier.
What a truly wonderful, heart felt post!
Oh yes . . . it came from my heart and soul.
I’m not sure what I can add to all the comments you already have other than to say I wish both of you all the best, and you should be proud that she had a dream and is choosing to follow it.
Thank you Elliot. “Worried for her” and “happy for her” is a weird combination of emotions.
Wow. That’s one helluva daughter you’ve got there, Robin. You must be one proud mother, but I certainly can’t blame you for being nervous for her. May she stay safe from all harm. I salute her, and you as well.
Thank MW. She is a driven girl and I am proud. I admire all of our soldiers for their sacrifice and commitment to selfless service.
This touches my heart, as I am a strong supporter of our constitution and the people who defend it. It’s really something that she has had this desire since the age of ten, and I admire her for following that guidance. I often wonder if it’s a calling similar to that of the clergy. God bless your daughter and all who serve.
Oh thank you Lori. It certainly was her calling and must be like the clergy. I couldn’t do either, but thank goodness there are people who can, and do.
I admire you both, Robin. Your girl because she’s found a calling, a career that she is passionate about and a dream that she is chasing. Not everybody finds that. I admire you because you have the courage to support her even though you are worried.
I hope this is the start of great things for her.
Thanks Katy! She is to be commended for following her passion. Her next 9 weeks will be hard I”m sure. I may need therapy.
Aww! You’ll both be alright… the nine weeks will probably feel slow and then all the time after that will whizz past. Isn’t it crazy how that happens?!
I admire her conviction to carry that dream from such a young age and go along with it. I do feel for you though, Robin and I’ll be thinking about you. That’s a tough thing for a mum to do.
I was ok until the hour drew near for us to drop her off. After that . . . I was a mess. Thanks for thinking of us.
Is there any way I can keep my wee one, wee? I can’t imagine it Robin. I had a few tears for you.
You know, I tried to not let them grow up, but found it isn’t possible.
And, when they do grow up, there comes a time when you have to let them go. Doesn’t mean we don’t stop worrying tho!
Thanks Kate. You are so sweet.
You must be so proud!
I am proud AND worried. But she is a tough cookie and I know she will be ok.
That must be so hard honey (((((hugs)))))
Xx
Thanks. I needed that hug.
Give yourself a BIG pat on the back Robin, because thats an incredible daughter you have! Best of luck to you both… xxoo
Oh Maggie, thank you so much. She is pretty amazing.
Whatever they be, it’s wonderful your daughter recognised her dreams early in life and has the opportunity to follow them. I hope they take her on many adventures
I’d like it if she gets stationed in Germany or France. How how about Hawaii? Great places for us to visit her!
You have every reason to be proud. I’ll remember you in my daily devotions
Aren’t you sweet Judith. That is a lovely thing for you to do.
As the wife of an Army drill sergeant I would say do not expect to hear from her very much during the first couple of weeks, which is referred to as the “red” phase. During this time even the drill sergeants have little contact with their families. My husband’s company has a Facebook page where the families of recruits can go for news of their soldiers. I don’t know how common that is with other training companies (he’s at Ft. Benning, not Ft. Jackson), but that may be something to ask her about when she is able to contact you.
Best of luck to your daughter as she pursues her dream!
Thank you for letting me know that so I am not on pins and needles waiting to hear from her. Is there anything else you can tell me about what she will be up against? I am worried about everyone at Fort Jackson and Fort Benning with the horrible weather there right now. It must be miserable. Are you managing ok? What do they do about training outside in temperatures like that?
Tell your husband I admire what he does. Oh, and I’ll ask her about the FaceBook page. I hope they have one.
It is ridiculously hot right now. I’m just so grateful for a/c when I’m indoors! I had to run some errands today and felt like I was melting just walking from the parking lot to the buildings.
I asked my husband how they train the soldiers in the heat. He said that they make sure they drink a lot of water — they’ll be issued “camel-backs” which is basically a bag of water with a tube, worn like a backpack, that they can drink from more easily than the old traditional canteens. There is something called ice immersion, where they have the recruits immerse their arms in a tank of ice, to cool their core temperatures. He said it’s supposed to work like a radiator does on a car, cooling the blood in their arms so that the lower temps will then circulate through their body from there. The drill sergeants are trained to watch for any signs of heat injury in their recruits, and they monitor their temperatures. If their temp is too high, they’ll be pulled from training.
Hope that helps!
That does indeed help. Staying hydrated is key. We are from Sacramento so she is used to heat. But not to the humidity, which I assume you have. We like to say we have “dry heat,” like that makes it any better. 89 right now. Pleasant in the shade and horrible in the direct sun.
Thanks so much for following up. Makes a worried Mom’s heart less heavy.
How wonderful to know what you want to be, to be suited to it, and to follow and achieve that dream. She must be flying high tonight, and you, you are the wings beneath her feet.
So few young people know what they want to do even while in college (or after!) so her drive is something I admire. Thinking of myself as the wings beneath her feet is a lovely thought Lynne. Thank you for that.
Thanks to her for her service and to you in supporting the path she chose. If it were not for people like her and my father where would we be? Sending the angels to keep her safe.
Please send an Army of angels, ok? What branch was your father in?
Dad was in the Army. He went in December 1940 and served until 1945. I am blogging about the suitcase of letters he wrote to my mother starting in 1937 until he got home in 1945. I am learning a lot about what they went through and it gives me a great respect to those who serve. I will see what I can do about that Army of Angels. Dad is one now as are most of the men he served with. I will ask him to keep an eye on her.
God Bless
I just checked out your blog and what a lovely thing you have going there. It was a different time then, wasn’t it? I have some letters from my uncle when he was in the Navy during the war. I love reading about visiting jazz clubs while on shore leave, the camaraderie, and the time they took to put their feelings on paper, rather than text, tweet, or email.
Tell your angel dad she is the cute blonde in Army fatigues. With his superpower angel-eyes, he can’t miss her.
lol I will do. He already knew though! lol (you know the super powers and all) Thank for the kind words and I hope you will keep us updated on your daughter’s journey. I would also love if you shared some of those letters of your uncles. I was certainly a different time, but in reading blogs about the day to day stuff and compare it to the army today you can certainly see similarities. The technology today is far above what those men and women went through. I think your daughter is very brave
I may post parts of his letters. They are treasures from the past. Plus, his stories are priceless. Tell your dad thanks for me for keeping his angel wings around her shoulders.
Where would we be without committed people like your daughter? Congrats on raising such a dedicated daughter. I’ll keep you both in my thoughts and prayers.
That means so much to me/us. I don’t know where people find it in their heart to have that kind of commitment. I love my country, but . . . she wants to defend it. Wow.
Oh my. How torn I’d feel about something like this as a mother! You must be incredibly proud!
So proud . . . and so torn. What a day. What a day. Will I sleep tonight? Or any night in the future?
God bless her and you and your family. It takes a special kind of person to serve our country. She has my utmost respect and admiration. Stay strong, Mom. I know it’s hard knowing the path she has taken is dangerous, but she is following her dream. My youngest son wants to go into the Air Force. Always has since he was six years old. He wants to fly planes. I don’t know where we pull our strength from but somewhere we find it as parents, we suck up our fears and send them on their way. It is an amazing opportunity. What is her first stint – 3 years? It’s great she’ll learn another language. That’s a skill she’ll be able to use for a long time.
Thank you so much for your kind words. When your child is committed to something so noble it is hard to squash their dream. BUT, The Army role fits her personality and her leadership skills perfectly, so the job choice makes sense. Weird night for me here. Weird. I’m having a hard time reading and writing this for the tears.
How old is your son? I commend him as well.
She will do 4 years, but as of today, she thinks she will go career. The doors are wide open for her after her commitment with intelligence, FBI, Home Land Security, embassy work, or whatever.
I completely understand. Big, big *hugs*.
Thanks! I needed a hug.
Is she going to Fort Jackson? That’s about 90 minutes from me, and a friend’s son is currently going through basic there now. If you need, I’ll see if she can provide you some information. I understand things get very quiet after they first get there.
Congrats on raising such a committed person!
She IS going to Fort Jackson. I would love to have insight from your friend. My daughter thinks they will take away their phone/computer right away, or they will have very limited use.
Maybe you can do a drive-by and report back to me. You have a badge. You could act all official.
Argh. I am worried but she is a tough cookie.
I’ll get in touch with her. Ok to give her your email?
Absolutely. robincoyle@gmail.com. Thanks Blurt. Sigh.
How impressive that she went after her dream, and with such committment. Although I’m sure it must be difficult for you as her mother, I can see why you are also filled with pride. Best of luck to her.
Thank you Carrie. It has been a tough day. I’m proud, but my heart is heavy.
My hat is always off to anyone who serves in the armed forces. My brother-in-law is an officer in the Army and fought in Desert Storm, and served in Iraq after 9/11. Right now he is working for NATO.
Like your daughter, he knew serving his country was what he wanted to do with his life. I can’t imagine how proud and scared and thrilled you must be. I’ll certainly be thinking of her, and you.
And my hat is off to your brother-in-law. Thank goodness there are people who have the passion to serve us all. Thank goodness. Thank you for thinking of her and I will be thinking of your brother-in-law as well. Bless their patriotic souls.
My best to your brave daughter. Hopefully she’ll stay cool in the heat!
Seriously! The weather report is horrible! Imagine training in severe heat?! Naive me likes to think they will have the trainees sitting by the pool and drinking beer rather than carrying 50-pound rucksacks in 104 degree weather, up-hill. Ugh.
Wow. I am so impressed, with her and with you. I thank her for choosing to serve our country, and I wish both of you good things.
Thank you sweet Anne. Her passion is so unlike anything I could do. I sit back in awe and have to say, “Well, if that is what you HAVE to do, then I guess I HAVE to let you do it.” However, when they are adults, we no longer have a voice, do we . . .?
I am practicing tiny acts of letting go now with mine (ages 9 and 11). Even those can be rough! I know, though, that even now, my parents’ opinions mean something to me (even when I may make a different choice; ).
I’ll keep her in my prayers..
Wanted to join the army..Mom said no
I’ll definitely keep her in my prayers =)
Your mother is very smart. I should have talked to her years ago to figure out how she talked you out of it.
Thanks sweetie. You are in a better place!
She threatened me! I was scared! ha ha
I am so impressed with people who have a passion to serve. You must be so proud–and rightly so.
I couldn’t do it, but thank goodness there are men and women out there who are driven to protect our country.