OT: Young Military Folks ** Need Help

[Guest guest]

Hi Nightengale,

 

> Merry Meet everyone,

 

Right. I'm gonna give you my opinion of the below and odds are you

won't like it .. but then, those who come across with lots of sympathy

aren't gonna do you a danged bit of good. I am NOT your enemy!!!

 

> My son is in the Marines and I am shocked on what the airlines are

> doing to all military men and women who want to come home for x-mas.

 

There are close to a million young military men and women who want to

come home for Christmas .. it is NOT the mission of the airlines nor of

the Department of Defense to be charitable in that regard. Nor would

the shareholders of the corporations allow such charity.

 

> My son is going to put out 375.00 to come home for 13 days. Now we

> may not think that is a lot but if you knew a new marines pay you

> would understand.

 

Its a lot for sure. And I've always been a champion for increasing the

salary of military folks .. got into a big peeing contest on one wimp

butt list about it and resigned because of that. At the same time, I

don't think young soldiers or young civilians should expect to live a

champaign and cavier lifestyle on a hamburger and beer pocketbook. If

your son stays in for a time, he will be in better financial shape and

will climb the ladder as is the norm in any professional organization.

 

> I offered to help but he is independent and newly married so he

> wants to do this on his own.

 

I salute him on two counts .. one for joining the US Marines and two for

wanting to cut loose from his parents purse strings. Sound like a fine

young soldier to me .. and I've known a few tens of thousands of them.

 

> So again they will have no money.

 

This is a norm for young soldiers.

 

> He is still in training and since he has only been married since

> Oct. he is not getting the extra money for his wife yet.

 

Also a norm .. he's hanging in there with thousands of others who got

married afore they left home because they feared they would lose their

lady if they delayed it. I've been there and done that myself. ;-p

 

> This process of adding her on has not been easy for him to do.

 

Right .. that's why we try real hard to discourage young troops from

doing that until they are at least grade E4 .. but its like talking to a

door when dealing with young folks who have a lot of growing to do.

 

> He had to wait till he went to training and then he had to fill out

> paper work by him self.

 

Not sure what that means .. but the admin clerks in ALL military

services assist young troops in filling out their requests for pay and

other benefits. If they didn't, the documents wouldn't be acceptable.

 

> He had to answer question for you new wife when you have no idea of

> the answer. And of course he couldn't call right then and there.

 

I think I'll not comment on this one. ;-p

 

> So long story. I just got off a site for marine moms and one poor

> mom is crying cause at one base there is only one airline that

> lands at the airport near them. And they have raised the price to

> over 600.00 with there discount.

 

I think the son of that " poor mom " might be feeling more comfortable

with his military comrades than he would feel at home .. and seems he

had a good reason for wanting to join at a young age.

 

> Of course she doesn't have that kind of money so her son might not

> come home for x-mas.

 

There are not enough airlines operating in the world for half the sons

and daughters in the military to come home for Christmas .. and none of

the military services will allow that many people to leave at one time

anyway. Its not like a civilian company that announces they will be

operating at half manning for a certain period.

 

> I think if these young men and women are willing to put there life

> on the line for this country, not knowing lately where they will be

> tomorrow, the airlines could at least lower there prices for them

> during the holidays

 

I disagree .. however, there is such a thing as military stand-by

flights which are considerably cheaper .. but no guarantees that the

soldier will not wait 24 hours or so in this or that airport. Still,

its an option that this ol' kuntry boy has used many times before.

 

> and if a a death occurs in the family.

 

EVERY military service give emergency leave and pays the tickets for

soldiers who have a death in the family.

 

> You have no idea how many military men and women will not be home

> for x-mas due to the fact no one can afford the airline ticket.

 

I'll say that at least 75% of them will not come home .. even those who

can afford a ticket.

 

> Most of the marines I am speaking about are in the age group of 19

> to 21, and it has been hard for them.

 

Here comes the hard part. The thing that is most hard on them is the

misguided attention of their loved ones who don't want to let go of

these young men and women. Let them grow up .. they are NOT children

now and they need to learn that life is not a bed of roses!!!

 

> Soonly MainealMainea mairne for 5 months, like my son, and deep

> inside they still need to be with family and feel like a kid again

> for x-mbuses he overebooked erbooked since they all the military run

> there next.

 

Not sure I understand the above .. the message was garbled during

transmission .. over? But I will say that those who feel a need to be

like a kid again are going to have a rougher time making the transition

when they return to base and have some Gunney or Drill Sergeant chewing

on their young ass in an attempt to teach them to be all they can be and

learn to survive in combat without mommy and daddy being there to call

when times get rough.

 

> The bases are always out in now where land and there is always only

> one airport near, where in my sons case it is 2.4 hrs. away.

> Whictaxtaxia taxie or bus ( if there is one) ride to the airport.

> I never realized that this went on before cause of course this is my

> first child in the military.

 

Good for the boy .. you will be proud of him someday .. and I don't mean

because he made employee of the month at the local grocery store. You

gotta let go .. as hard as it might seem, you have no other choice.

 

> But if someone could tell me how do I start a petition to the

> airlines on lowering the rates for them I would be forever grateful.

 

Your son would be the laughing stock of the Marine Corps if his buddies

learned his momma did such a thing. And you would make yourself totally

miserable in trying to accomplish this because it will never succeed.

 

> They have what thodiscount discout, but it was only $50.00 for my son.

> And he had to take the time they gave him, not the time we wanted. So

> on his trip back he will have to sit in the airport for 6 hrs till

> the bus gets there.

 

That is the life of military folks. As we don't have a draft now, all

of the young folks who enter the military services do so voluntarily.

 

> Some of you may be wondering why don't they drive home. When they

> go to training they are not allowed to bring there car's.

 

Right .. cause there is no time for crusing the block. They are there

to assimilate into a totally different environment, away from the norm

of their lifestyle with family and home, and meld into a lean, mean

fighting machine where each member is no more than a part of the whole

and they think and act like a team without losing the pride that will be

instilled in them as individuals who are capable of overcoming crap that

would upset their little friends back home .. and their parents too.

 

> When they get on a base then they can bring there cars.

 

And wear their civilian clothing, etc. while off duty.

 

> Training for a new marine take up to about a year.

 

Good it is too cause they produce some fine young folks. Hard it is

often because they have to start with youngsters who have never been

tested and who have no idea of what they are really made of until they

are challenged to the max. The best thing that happens is they learn

not to whine when times get rough .. they are in it up to their necks

along with everyone else .. the worst thing that can happen to them is

if their parents write a letter to a senator or to the commander or any

headquarters of the military. When that happens, the First Sergeant and

the Commander must take time from their 18 hour a day schedule of

working to turn these young folks into responsible soldiers to play

nursemaid and council the young troop. This is required in order to

pacify the politicians and parents .. but it doesn't set well with the

military system and even though the professionals go through the motions

of being understanding and such .. the one who they are counseling gets

a big Aw Shit on their temporary record and snide looks from buddies.

 

> So you know that all new marines first x-mas is a struggle to come

> home. First they have to spent 3 months in boot camp, then home for

> 10 days. Then off to MCT training for 22-30 days. Then off to there

> MOS- there job training.

 

Good training for sure. :-D The military issues all the necessary

items soldiers need when they come in. If they felt that the troops

needed a family they would issue that too .. but they don't need that ..

they need each other if they are to learn to be all they can be.

 

> I am proud of all new marines and military who go through this

> training process.

 

Damn betcha on that .. I'm 1,000% in agreement with you. But consider

this .. the physical training they receive is tough compared to the lazy

lifestyle most kids are used to .. that's good cause they need to be

physically fit to survive in combat and to feel good about themselves.

But its really the mental conditioning that is instilled that turns one

from a wimpy young kid into a professional soldier. A part of that

mental conditioning is learning to overcome hardships without whining.

And the toughest part is sometimes getting momma and daddy to let go.

 

> Most of these young men and women are just out of high school, like

> my son.

 

Rough ain't it? I was straight out of high school .. 17 years old and

had no knowledge of anything outside my county. First five times I rode

in an airplane I didn't even get to land in it .. had to jump out of the

danged thing. ;-p Then I volunteered to go to a place called 'Nam cause

I was only 19 and couldn't vote or buy beer in the USA and I heard you

could get beer and anything else you wanted there regardless of age and

the old salts said combat was where it was at if you wanted to climb the

ladder in Uncle Sugar's Army .. and they were right By Gawd.

 

> I will say that I am very pround and happy how my son has turned out.

 

And you will be more proud in the future .. let him become a man.

 

> He was a great son and young man before he went in, and I am even

> more proud of him now.

 

I salute the words you have written here. If you want to help your son

then DO NOT sympathize with him IF he feels badly about not being able

to come home .. which I sorta feel he might not feel as badly as you do

yourself .. but tell him you are proud of the sacrifices he and his

buddies are making to become a part of the system that defends our proud

nation. Tell him that you and his pappy and his wife will be thinking

about him that day and will be proud that he is doing his duty even

though he will be missed.

 

> He is very independent, and doing so much on his own. He has

> matured very well. Now of course there is still the cleaning of

> his room, but in 10 days and all that gear I can't ask for a miricle.

 

Not up to you to expect a miracle .. but you can bet your bippy that

some DI is demanding a miracle and will receive same. ;-p

 

> Sorry about this being so long, but I had to explain.

 

I am glad to see this post. I think you are probably expressing the

concerns of many parents out there in email land. And if you get upset

at what I have written that's your call .. but I'll tell you that what I

have given you is truly far more beneficial than any sympathy or crying

you can get from others who might agree with you.

 

> If anyone out there can help explain to me how to start this or

> or would like to help me, I would appreciate it.

 

I can only say that I believe that if you don't want to embarrass your

son you should drop it like a hot potato .. now!

 

> Blessing

> Nightengale

 

And to you .. and to your son and to all the young folks who have left

the nest and are trying to become more than they were because they may

someday be called to go in harm's way.

 

Nightengale .. obviously I don't know your son personally. But I can

say from deep within my heart that I might love him more than you do.

My love is a different kind than yours but at this stage in his life it

might be a more valuable type of love. He has joined a fraternity that

all soldiers .. especially old soldiers like me .. hold to be sacred and

we honor and protect our brothers and sisters who are or have been

members of this very elite group. :-P

 

Y'all keep smiling, Butch http://www.AV-AT.com

 

The Night Before Christmas and All Is Secure

 

 

T'WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, HE LIVED ALL ALONE,

IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF PLASTER AND STONE.

 

I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,

AND TO SEE JUST WHO IN THIS HOME DID LIVE

 

I LOOKED ALL ABOUT, A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,

NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS, NOT EVEN A TREE.

 

NO STOCKING BY MANTLE, JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,

AND ON THE WALL PICTURES OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.

 

WITH MEDALS AND BADGES, AWARD OF ALL KINDS,

A SOBERING THOUGHT CAME TO MY MIND.

 

FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT SO DARK AND SO DREARY,

THE HOME OF A SOLDIER, NOW I COULD SEE CLEARLY.

 

THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING, SILENT, ALONE,

CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.

 

THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE, THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,

NOT HOW I PICTURED A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.

 

WAS THIS THE HERO OF WHOM I'D JUST READ:

CURLED UP ON A PONCHO, THE FLOOR FOR A BED?

 

I REALIZED THE FAMILIES THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,

OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.

 

SOON ROUND THE WORLD, THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,

AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.

 

THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,

BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS, LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.

 

I COULDN'T HELP WONDER HOW MANY LAY ALONE,

ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.

 

THE VERY THOUGHT BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,

I DROPPED TO MY KNEES AND STARTED TO CRY.

 

THE SOLDIER AWAKENED AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,

" SANTA DON'T CRY, THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;

 

I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM, I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,

MY LIFE IS MY GOD, MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS. "

 

THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER AND SOON DRIFTED TO SLEEP,

I COULDN'T CONTROL IT, I CONTINUED TO WEEP.

 

I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS, SO SILENT AND STILL,

AND WE BOTH SHIVERED FROM THE COLD EVENING'S CHILL.

 

I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,

THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR SO WILLING TO FIGHT.

 

THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER, WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,

WHISPERED, " CARRY ON SANTA, IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE. "

 

ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH, AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.

" MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT. "