I have been the wife of an officer for the AF for many yrs. He did a jt tour with the 82nd when Haiti was being invaded. My mother-in-law still didn't get it about him, even after 8 yrs of AD, I think she still doesn't get it. I will never forget the day when he was to jump into Haiti with the 82nd, our youngest was 4 mos. old, she could not bring herself to go and hug him goodby, stayed in bed as he left. I berated her for this. Asking her how dare she allow him to leave with him worrying about her left behind? She told me I would feel differently when it is my DS...I responded no, I won't I will hug him, kiss him and tell him I will see you when you get home. Our DS has now decided that the military is what he wants. I have been fortunate enough to experience the joys of this life. I will cry when I get the 90 sec goodby call (I'll be wearing sunglasses on purpose to hide my tears), but I will tell him that I love him and I will hug him and let him know I will see him soon.
IMHO these kids will be facing more than the avg freshman, it is important that they know, we respect them as adults and as parents it is our job to see their dreams come true. Our ALO said it best, the cadets he worries about our the ones whose parents won't cut the apron strings. I told him I cut them already, but I left one a little longer just in case
