re: It is a true privilege to be proud of kids you helped raise. Parris Island today.

man - it is not the regret of not being able to do what you set out to do, it is the pivot you make to be the best you can, and the end result is you helped raise a selfless Man that is willing to do what so many others don't - and that is to serve out country, to protect us all.

I for one applaud and thank your son for all he has accomplished, and all he will do for all of us - because sadly, it is not a sacrifice that many kids these days are willing to make.

I wish him the greatest success in everything, safety for him and a salute to you sir for raising him right.

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Yes, BUT I bet he carries himself like a man with 30 more pounds of muscle than he went in with. That is what Fr33 sees, don't diminish it.

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This. I'm sue a soft spoken, slouching kid looks like a made over Man when he comes home with confidence, correct posture, added muscle (8-10 pounds) and a sense of accomplishment.

I'm proud for you fr33!

Congrats , and thanks for his service. God willing Trump will soon be his CiC and all his orders will be righteous.

Congrats! Hope he avoids the tattoo parlor.

Let's pray Kamala doesn't win and send him to Ukraine.

Whew...what a day. Thanks for your well wishes and especially the other marines that chimed in, I know he's in good company.

This is gonna be a long post so fair warning. No poetry though I promise.

First, what a powerful program.
They all looked sharp I'll tell you that.


Mine is in that third group waaaay down. He's the good looking one.

Oh and to clarify I got the official numbers. He went in at 122 and came out at 148.
So they put 26 lbs on him. Double rations for 3 weeks. Make of that what you will but he's stout and I swear an inch or two taller. Maybe he's just standing up straight now.

But what really struck me as I was watching, this caught my eye.


The Marine Corps War Memorial


Obviously based on the iconic Iwo Jima photo.

But I'm looking at the memorial, then at all these fresh Marines, one of them mine, and I got a little choked up.

Because there were times in the not too distant past where if I was looking out on those fresh Marines, I'd be looking at many who would come home mangled, or not at all.

I'm sure they didn't do it back then they way they do it now but the stories of the valiant but bloody assaults from a dozen campaigns flooded my mind.

D-Day, The Pacific, Korea, Vietnam. The list goes on.
Marines much like mine gave it all. And yes they were men, hard men, but man they still looked a lot like boys out there in their white caps.

And I thought about the dread any soldier's loved ones must feel when they are deployed to the combat zone.

Hell is a black car and a knock at your door.

I know all too well what it's like for a young man to never come home.

So it struck me even in that moment of celebration and joy, and I said a silent prayer. For those that fought, those that died, and those who were never the same.

I pray for peace. I'm glad we have brave Marines like mine willing to answer the call, but I hope like hell that call is not for more pointless wars in foreign lands, that serve only to rob us of our loved ones and line the pockets of the powerful.


Phew, anyway, it's a good day though. I get to see the ocean.


Semper Fi.

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He was already a man (mature) in many ways but I can't wait to see the man he is destined to be.

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I think that's the biggest thing.

I knew I would be proud,
I did not know I'd be wowed.

Complete sea change

Much appreciated. And YGM.

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fr33manator

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That's awesome. Congratulations dad!

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To those who raised someone who served, honored to join your company.

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It was around this time last year I got to watch my son graduate from the US Army Infantry School at Fort Benning*. One of the proudest moments of my life as a father. I’m happy to hear you have the privilege to go though the same thing with your son.


* even though they changed the name to Fort Moore while my some was there, it will always be Fort Benning to me.