Proud_Mom_X's3
December 9th, 2006, 09:44 AM
Hiya all.
My son Zach, who is 17, has been attending/living at, the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Academy down at Fort Dix, NJ, since Sept. 10'th and is a Cadet at the Academy. Zach has talked about the military for years now and has planned on joining. We signed him out of the local less-than-motivating highschool here in town when he was 16, so he could attend ChalleNGe, because it was the perfect opportunity for him, being that he has had such 'military aspirations'. ChalleNGe is the best thing that has happened to him! It began the change from boy to man, has instilled values, discipline, respect-both self and towards others and heightened the respect he has always had for the military and military authority, along with improving his academic skills! He will graduate from ChalleNGe at the end of Feb 07.
I made him a promise before he went to ChalleNGe that since he was doing this program, that I, in return, would do what I've always said I would/could NEVER do as a Mother-which is sign the papers for early enlistment.
Zach came up from Fort Dix with his recruiter and a fellow Cadet at the Academy, (who is also enlisting)this past Monday evening. My hubby and I talked and listened and then came the time...with a shaking hand and tear-filled eyes...I signed the papers and in effect...signed my youngest son into the United States Army National Guard.
It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do...but a promise is a promise and since he joined ChalleNGe, I have come to realize that this is what HE wants...HIS dreams...HIS goals, HIS future...HIS life...not mine.
He called me Thursday evening to let me know that after spending the day at MEPS, my son was officially sworn into the Army National Guard...on Thursday, Dec. 7'th, of all days.
He will be sworn in once more as a formaility at ChalleNGe graduation and also be pinned, for all of his family to see.
He began Pre-Basic this very day-Sat-and will go every weekend until he leaves for BASIC. Because of ChalleNGe, all the NJYCA Cadets beginning Pre-Basic are a step ahead of the other young people starting there today too, because the Cadets have already learned how to march, drill, etc...etc...while being at the Academy.
Oh what a week this has been...I feared that day and having to sign those papers, but like I said, Zach knows what he wants to do with HIS life.
Zach has decided upon a 6x2, which is better (to me at least lol)than what he had previously decided upon...a 3x5-3 years NG and 5 years active ARMY! lol
At the time Zach steps into BASIC, in July, he will enter with the rank of E3.
After BASIC, Zach will then be going for 3 mths to AIT. He then plans on attending NJIT for a degree in criminal justice.
So, anyway, I did as I promised, as did hubby, and we signed our youngest boy into the US MILITARY and as scared as I am for him...I am also so very, very proud of him! He's chosen something HONORABLE to do with his life...and I count my blessings that all of my boys have all chosen honorable careers when you think of the people out there that choose LESS THAN honorable choices in life.
My 23 year old son, Matt, is joining as well and will most likely be going to BASIC in March of 07. He's been planning this even longer than Zach-lol-and is only waiting because he gets married in January! AND, our almost 21 year old son, Josh, has been making HIS plans as well and has been speaking with recruiters. He is an EMT and an ER Tech and is planning on joining the ARMY as a medic in the very near future.
I've told our almost 13 year old daughter many times recently, that she better choose a SAFE career because my mother's heart can't take much more!! :p lol But now...after having her brother home again for 5 days at Thanksgiving and having been down at the Academy at Fort Dix for a family day in Oct. she keeps saying she wants to go to the ChalleNGe Academy when she is 16! Oh, my poor sanity....lol
I have always supported our Troops and US Military, and though my life has now, as of this past Thursday, forever changed since I am now a mom of a soldier and soon-2-be 3 soldiers, I will continue to support our US Troops and Military 100%!!
Yes, I will now live in fear for my sons, but they all make me very proud to call them my children!
God Bless them and ALL of our Troops everywhere! I thank you ALL for your service to our great country!! :)
*hugs*
Cathy
My son Zach, who is 17, has been attending/living at, the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Academy down at Fort Dix, NJ, since Sept. 10'th and is a Cadet at the Academy. Zach has talked about the military for years now and has planned on joining. We signed him out of the local less-than-motivating highschool here in town when he was 16, so he could attend ChalleNGe, because it was the perfect opportunity for him, being that he has had such 'military aspirations'. ChalleNGe is the best thing that has happened to him! It began the change from boy to man, has instilled values, discipline, respect-both self and towards others and heightened the respect he has always had for the military and military authority, along with improving his academic skills! He will graduate from ChalleNGe at the end of Feb 07.
I made him a promise before he went to ChalleNGe that since he was doing this program, that I, in return, would do what I've always said I would/could NEVER do as a Mother-which is sign the papers for early enlistment.
Zach came up from Fort Dix with his recruiter and a fellow Cadet at the Academy, (who is also enlisting)this past Monday evening. My hubby and I talked and listened and then came the time...with a shaking hand and tear-filled eyes...I signed the papers and in effect...signed my youngest son into the United States Army National Guard.
It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do...but a promise is a promise and since he joined ChalleNGe, I have come to realize that this is what HE wants...HIS dreams...HIS goals, HIS future...HIS life...not mine.
He called me Thursday evening to let me know that after spending the day at MEPS, my son was officially sworn into the Army National Guard...on Thursday, Dec. 7'th, of all days.
He will be sworn in once more as a formaility at ChalleNGe graduation and also be pinned, for all of his family to see.
He began Pre-Basic this very day-Sat-and will go every weekend until he leaves for BASIC. Because of ChalleNGe, all the NJYCA Cadets beginning Pre-Basic are a step ahead of the other young people starting there today too, because the Cadets have already learned how to march, drill, etc...etc...while being at the Academy.
Oh what a week this has been...I feared that day and having to sign those papers, but like I said, Zach knows what he wants to do with HIS life.
Zach has decided upon a 6x2, which is better (to me at least lol)than what he had previously decided upon...a 3x5-3 years NG and 5 years active ARMY! lol
At the time Zach steps into BASIC, in July, he will enter with the rank of E3.
After BASIC, Zach will then be going for 3 mths to AIT. He then plans on attending NJIT for a degree in criminal justice.
So, anyway, I did as I promised, as did hubby, and we signed our youngest boy into the US MILITARY and as scared as I am for him...I am also so very, very proud of him! He's chosen something HONORABLE to do with his life...and I count my blessings that all of my boys have all chosen honorable careers when you think of the people out there that choose LESS THAN honorable choices in life.
My 23 year old son, Matt, is joining as well and will most likely be going to BASIC in March of 07. He's been planning this even longer than Zach-lol-and is only waiting because he gets married in January! AND, our almost 21 year old son, Josh, has been making HIS plans as well and has been speaking with recruiters. He is an EMT and an ER Tech and is planning on joining the ARMY as a medic in the very near future.
I've told our almost 13 year old daughter many times recently, that she better choose a SAFE career because my mother's heart can't take much more!! :p lol But now...after having her brother home again for 5 days at Thanksgiving and having been down at the Academy at Fort Dix for a family day in Oct. she keeps saying she wants to go to the ChalleNGe Academy when she is 16! Oh, my poor sanity....lol
I have always supported our Troops and US Military, and though my life has now, as of this past Thursday, forever changed since I am now a mom of a soldier and soon-2-be 3 soldiers, I will continue to support our US Troops and Military 100%!!
Yes, I will now live in fear for my sons, but they all make me very proud to call them my children!
God Bless them and ALL of our Troops everywhere! I thank you ALL for your service to our great country!! :)
*hugs*
Cathy