As you have found out, there's nothing more impressive than a Marine Corps basic training graduation ceremony. We saw this when my younger brother went in in Sept. 06 and had a whirlwind Christmastime trip to Parris Island, SC. We were able to take my other brother and dad along, so we all got to be together and see the youngest graduate. I think it was one of his proudest moments, just having his family there. I will never forget that trip.

Your young Marine would likely spend some time in the sTates for his MOS, will he not? My brother spent at least a year on the base and was deployed in the fall of last year, I believe. He spent time in Iraq and is now in Afghanistan. We pray for him everyday.

It sounds like he's on his way to becoming a "good Marine," recruiter's assistant, squad leader, etc. Congratulations and you must be so proud of him. It's great that he has someone like you in his life. I wouldn't worry too much about his decision - just that it makes a man of a boy very quickly and these young guys (and women, too) are willing to give up sacrifices we can only dream about. Kudos to them!

Ooh Rah! :D

David, it's easy to see why you are so proud of him. Your write up triggers in me, much respect for the young people who are devoting there lives to serve this great country. What a fine young man and what a great job you've done as a surrogate father to him.

Please tell him that his 'Auntie Nancy' from the CF is standing by, ready to send him homemade goodies wherever he ends up. I mean that!

Ooh Rah!!!!!

Nancy

Ooh Rah!!

You and your family have much to be proud of. You guys are a close net of family and I love seeing it in the photos and hearing about it when we have talked or in your wrtitten words here on the CF.

Great pictures and thanks for sharing! Oh yeah, I make a tidy box of goodies if he should want or need a fix.

David, the pride in your words as you write about your Marine touches my heart. You made me cry.

I'm glad you and your family got to be there to witness DN's graduation. Sounds like he is going to be a real leader. Thanks for sharing this with us.

Ann

wow!....he certainly looks like a young man to be proud of!
Congratulations to him and to you for being such a great uncle!
Linda C

Congratulations! You have a lot to be proud of!! I wish him the best of luck in his career!

How wonderful!!! ... congratulations from a new CF member and mom to 4 boys.

He has accomplished something in his life that he will be proud of forever.
I'm sure your hearts were aching with pride that he set such a high goal for himself and finished his training so well.

Grace

What a stirring post, he sounds like a great young man and I know how much you had to do with it! It's great to see photos of this handsome guy with the family, your hearts were clearly bursting with pride!

Please let him know that there's a seat for him (and a buddy or two)at our table if they come up to L.A. during the coming months.
Hugs,
E

Thank you for sharing this inspiring experience with us. You have a terrific nephew! Great photos!

David, your pride and love for your nephew come through loud and clear in your written words!

Thanks for sharing with us. He is a fine young man and a fine marine!

Linda

What everyone else said. Please send him my thanks for serving our country.

Oh David you have me crying......It's clear your heart is swelling with pride as it should be. Thank God for these brave young people who put their self in harms way for us.

Tell him the pickle lady from Canada sends him huge hugs and prayers for his safety.

I have tears too.
My husband is a former Marine. One of the boys across the street enlisted almost 2 years ago. He's a Linguist (he's training in Arabic). Which is 2 years of schooling. He was always a respectful good kid..but the transformation when he came home after Boot Camp...WOAH...It's touching..His father is retired from the USN..but the person he wanted to touch base with was my husband..because no one could relate to his experience in Boot Camp but another Marine. They talked for probably 2 hours.

My husband keeps threatening our oldest with the Marine Corp. However..if he did go in..my husband would request him sent to Paris Island. Hubby says San Diego is prep school compared to PI. LOL

What is his MOS?
I take since you think he'll ship out in a year or so..he didn't get into anything "specialized"?
Hubby went in as an Air Traffic Controller, but got into a little trouble...and because of his scores they sent him to Calibration Tech School, instead of dropping him to Infantry or other lower scoring "jobs". He never saw war up close and personal. During the Gulf he was in Japan.

David I'm sure that was a very emotional experience. He looks to be a fine young man and you must be very proud.

May he stay safe always.

SharonCb

Another one with tears in her eyes too, I'm proud of him and you and your family as well for supporting him. I've always enjoyed your family vicariously :)

Be sure to let him know that your cooking buddies thank him and appreciate his service.

David, Having spent time with you, I know that your nephew comes from great stock. I know your family is so proud of him. He will continue to develop into a great family man, citizen, employee, and mentor.

My heart felt thanks for his service to our country.

Cathy

Sniffle. Thanks for sharing this David. As a military brat who lived on bases all over the world, I have a soft spot in my heart for men in uniform. Bless them all.

Those pictures are great, thanks so much for posting. There is something so impressive about a group of men in uniform, particularly those marines!

The very best of luck to him.

AM

Hoooooooo Raaaaaaaaaaaah!

Impressive photos! What a handsome young man and he does the uniform proud.

I will keep him in my thoughts for a safe tour of duty.

Alexa

Me too with the tears! God bless him and you, too!

David,
I know you are so proud of him! I can't tell you how much I admire all the young men and women who decide to enlist, especially in times likes these. What a show of courage strength of character. Thanks for sharing with us.

Tracey

Thanks to all y'all for your support, thoughts, blessings, and just being good friends and sharing this moment with us. I'll pass the tissue box around but it might be empty after this past week....it's all good. I'll get back with you tomorrow with answers to some of your questions. Again, my family and I really appreciate you and your thoughts and good wishes. Work carp...and the evening got the best of me....

David

What a wonderful post to share! Your feelings/pride jump from the written word. It's so nice to see. Btw, I noticed that in the salute pic that his salute is the very best one in the whole pic. Smiles. Just saying. Thanks for sharing. Wishing him the very best.

Phyllis, it was a amazing couple of days. Like you, I'll never forget it. I only shared a few of the hundreds, I'm sure, of the pics we took. This is all new to us as he made this choice last minute. What I know now is he will be at Pendleton for the next 3 months for training and then assigined to a base for additional training for six months from what he has told us. A year more or less???

Grace, welcome to the forum! I've been very busy and haven't had much time here. Man, four boys...you have your hands full.

Ellen, not sure you know what your asking for....these guys eat like there is no tomorrow...lol!

Terri, MOS...from what he told me it is Military Occupational Specialty. He went for supply and demand to take advantage of his accountting. He did very well in H.S. and was in college courses his final year. Also, won a couple of scholarships in a national compition with his team. As it stands now he changed his mind and decided he wanted to go into infantry. He made this change with several others once they arrived in SD. Not sure why he did this...he just said it was what he wanted and felt he needed to do??? Claims he can make a lat change in a couple of years??? DS and I are meeting with his recruiter on Friday to get more info. Reguardless, I will stand behind him and support him and his decisions even though I might not be happy with them. I'm thinking it has something to do with older friends in the army who are now serving????.

Pickle Lady, you are one of many who's names are the norm in my group. It may be your proper name or forum name....the members of this forum have become a part of my groups everyday lives....your ears should be burning. : )

Thanks again for all of your posts, support, and general good will.....my group and I love all y'all!!

David

Semper Fidelis, David, Always Faithful, I think it applies to you as well as your handsome and proud Marine.

Pass the kleenex, I'm another one of those with military families for generations. I'm sending all my prayers for safety to your boy and an extra hug or two for you.

Add my name to the list of those willing to send a goodie box when needed. Ashley has a couple of friends who are in Afghanistan and Iraq, her best friend from high school joined the Marines and came home for a visit a much wiser and more mature young lady.

Semper Fi indeed, and my heartfelt thanks to your DN and every other American in military uniform. May they all find comfort and safety today and at all times in the future.

Annie

David, I'll ask hubby about it. He might be a bit more enlightening on the "way things really are" versus Recruiter Smoke..LOL
Growing up with a Navy Base in town..I know that changing out of the MOS you signed under or are rated at..can make promotion much more difficult. You're "tests/boards" are based on that, not the work you do daily.(requires much more studying, since you aren't "practicing" it.) I think the Corp works in the same fashion. Makes absolutely no sense..

AWESOME!!!!!

David, I asked hubby..he said that it's very normal to get caught up in the Oooh Rahness of the Corp and want to "do the ultimate job"..being a Grunt. Yes in a few years he can lateral to another job. Apparently the Corp has everyones MOS down as Rifleman for starters and it allows lateral moves or other job moves much easier than the Navy does. Also advancement in the Corp is based on scores, evals and performance, unlike the Navy (which Maritorious) advancements aren't as common. He says that doing your "grunt time" early, sets you up to go to another specialty school with some seniority, and you don't get treated like a newbie because likely you'll be atleast a Corporal by the time you get to that school.
Hubby was NEVER into the grunt thing..he avoided it at all costs..The Corp was a paycheck to support his first kid. He dropped out of college as a Junior and went in the Corp.

oh David - wow! Thanks for sharing such wonderful photos, and a wonderful story, too. You all must be so proud...

Terri, thanks for the info and tell your DH thanks too. It's good to know I have a inside source to some of this stuff if I need it. I think he is right on with the "Grunt" thing/factor. You're right on with the recruiter smoke, choked on that earlier this year..lol.

Coconut, welcome to the forum and thanks...lots of new members as of late. I love it!

Forgot to thank those who have offered to send a goodie box to our boy. Very sweet of you! Might take you up on that offer and of course would return the favor to you and yours serving. We have had family in various branches dating back to WWI that I know of.

Thanks again to one and all. I/we really appreciate your support, thoughts, and support!!

David

David anytime...any question. And if you want more specifics later, I can ask my BIL. He's been to Iraq and Afganistan several times in the Army..He's over 20 years in.
He's likely going to retire in about a year and a half..but then is going back as a civilian to earn some big dollars to "round" out his retirement. CRAZY!!

Goosebumps time ,huh David? Talk about heart-in-the -throat time-- ceremonies like that will do it & good for you for being so supportive & proud of his choice. Give him an extra hug & thx from me.

Both my boys & their dad served-- in Air Force, Navy & Army-- Our Marine Rick (GSIL) is now a "louie" and is making a career of the Marines-- so far has been in Afgan & Irag 3 deployments and is probably heading to Afgan again the first of the year-- hate to see them go but then again Thank God some step up when needed.

Earlier in the week I had a young man in dress blues come driving through my crossing area. He had his medals on his uniform , hat on and a 30 day tag on his car. I thought to myself that he had just bought the car and was headed home on a short leave .