It's going to be amazing when you see how much they change in their confidence and focus. My son left on 9-13-2010. I am former military and my wife is a former drill instructor so we know what he is facing. I'm looking forward to the day I can call him Marine instead of recruit. I want to comment on Christy Purdy's post.

Christy, I'm sorry about your son's job. You're right they should have known and I'm dissapointed they waited until after he shipped to say something. My son had a stigmatism and could get his first choice either. He knew about it a month before he shipped and chose a different job. The bright side is they all get to be Marines first and foremost. I'd still go down to the recruiting office and give them hell. I remember my son telling me that his recruiter said wait until I confirm your new job before you tell your Dad I don't want him on my butt anymore about screw ups. LOL Good luck to all your sons and daughters and thank them for their service from me and my family

My son just left for boot camp on Aug 30. He has just began this very demanding journey. He waited almost a year to go and was so excited and anxious the day he left. I suppose he was as prepared as anyone could be but I know the reality of actually being there was more than he could have imagined. His father is in the Army National Guard and his Step Father is a Navy Corpsman, so he had lots of coaching.
My heart goes out to you and I will be praying for you and your daughter. This is the hardest thing our children have ever been through. One thing that I have realized is that our children are stronger than we and even they realize. Your daughter, my son, and all the other young recruits will conquer this challenge !

My daughter is now in her 4th week of boot camp and it sounds as if things are starting to get a little better. I received a letter from her on 09/01/2010 and it was more up lifting than the others I received prior. She said her run time has gotten a lot better and she's starting to adjust to the culture of the Corps. Her letters are still short but at least she's not crying as much and is showing a lot of progress. She said it's still hard but she's getting stronger and stronger everyday. I want to encourage everyone who has children in the Corps to keep praying for them because they all need our prayers. For the parents whose children are in phase one of their training and just getting started, be encouraged. My husband is a Marine and he told me the tone of the letters in the beginning are going to be sad and depressing. He said that's because they are breaking them down mentally and getting them out of their comfort zone. He said the tone of the letters will start to change around the 4th or 5th week and he was right. The letter I received yesterday was the first up lifting letter my daughter has wrote since she's been there. I really appreciate all of the comments that people have sent me and they are really helping me get through this season of my life. Please be encouraged and know that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Let's keep praying for our children because they need all our support.

Be Blessed

I am not yet a Marine. I am finishing college first, but I know that you daughter has a strong spirit that can pull her through... My mom has been trying to talk me out of joining the Corps for 10 years so I am going to be a bit older than most of the recruits when I leave next year after I Graduate, but know this your daughter will make it out stronger and better prepared to handle all the ups and downs of life and she will also have a support group the likes of which exist nowhere in the world. I will pray for her and think that you will soon receive a letter that is up beat and full of excitement as she accomplishes those things which she now thinks are impossible....

My daughter also left August 9th for bootcamp. Her letters seem short and like she is miserable. She said a girl in her platoon passed out,I wonder if it was your daughter. I think it is a really rough place but the girls probably lean on each other for support. My daughter wanted to join for a long time, I was selfish and tried to talk her out of it, I already had another daughter in the Army, and a stepson in the National Guard, but she insisted so my only option was to support her decision and help her anyway I could. I have a younger daughter who is lost without her sister so I try really hard to be strong but sometimes her letters are so sad. She is having her 18th birthday at bootcamp, she left not even being able to drive after 9 pm. It will get easier on your daughter, they start to do things over and over and they learn how much to drink and they become a team and look out for each other, they work together. It seems so sad but a very proud time when she graduates. Best of luck to you and your daughter, and to all who have family members in our military, and thank them for me.

My husband also left on the 9th of August...I got his letters which were short recently...he said all the free time is not really "free" so he has little time to write. He was down as well...just so exhausted. I almost started crying reading your story because I know people are out there who feel like I feel but man I can't hardly stand not being able to comfort him and cook him a good dinner and relax with him. I can't imagine what it is like. Best of luck to your daughter

I cry as I read your post. My son left on Monday. He called me from the airport very disappointed, his job has been taken away from him due to his eye site, they had to of known prior to him leaving. He told me to expect a call between 12am and 3am stating he has arrived, the call has not come yet. My aniexty level is exteremly high and Im so scared for my child. He is also my first born and there is no greater pain for my to compare this to other than I feel like I have been broken up with.
I pray for your daughter may she continue to be strong and make it thru. I pray for you to make it thru the next 10 weeks without loosing your mind. Big hugs from one mom to another that shares your grief