<p>It’s okay, supportmom. I know what you mean. My son is very careful about revealing his military career plans. You never know who’s not going to be supportive. </p>
<p>I’m really interested in seeing what happens when he finally puts on a uniform. I don’t worry about him, I worry about the person who says something negative. The boy’ll say something politely rude that will have them scratching their heads.</p>
<p>Wearing the uniform has it’s perks. I’m not going to lie, I like all the free stuff whether it’s food or girls. Peace easy.</p>
<p>How those mama’s like the Midshipmen! While touring the monuments in DC over PPW, every mama withan eligible daughter wanted her daughters picture taken with the boy. His picture is in photo albums around the world…hope this doesn’t lead to girls in every port!</p>
<p>Oooooooooooh! NO!!</p>
<p>One in the hall, one in the mall, one on call, and one at home . . .</p>
<p>Okay, Bill, so what you and profmom are saying is that they become “chick magnets” while in uniform? </p>
<p>But, he’s my little boy! ;)</p>
<p>I have a friend who flies twice a week for business (due to miles earned usually has first class). Every time he boards, he looks around the plane–if there is a military person on board, he always insists on giving them his first class seat. Thanks to all of you and yours!!</p>
<p>Before Christmas I took my son onto the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.
They have POW/MIA flags hanging on the wall in the “Garage”. Maybe the most patriotic institution in Manhattan.
He was wearing his SDBs.</p>
<p>Traders clapped and came up to him to shake his hand as he went around the posts.</p>
<p>They wanted to know about his Academy experience but he was more interested
in learning how to scalp trades on the floor.</p>
<p>This is “news” to you? </p>
<p>You’re “little boy” is about to learn some great things! Secrets of the universe, the meaning of life, and everything! [Zaphod . . .what is the answer?]</p>
<p>There are certain careers and/or aspects of certain careers that are irresistible [sp?] to the opposite sex. [Mostly male to female.] Wearing a uniform is one of them. I was fortunate to experience one of the others. [Speculation or comments as to others?] </p>
<p>If he has one, tell him to dump the girlfriend and get ready for a great ride. [so to speak]</p>
<p>Bill-</p>
<p>I really do wish he had a girlfriend. His nose has been stuck in a book for four + years. He is normal and likes girls, just not the ones at his school. </p>
<p>About the “chick magnet” thing. Right after hub and I married, we were shopping in the exchange. The checkbook was in the car, so I went to go get it. Hub was in flight suit and the cashier was drooling ALL over him until I walked up and handed him the check book. It was kind of funny to watch, but yes, the uniform is a turn on, I know for a fact. But, my baby? My little man? My pumpkin?</p>
<p>Maybe I’ll just stand back and watch him adjust. Should be entertaining!</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>maybe yes, maybe no.<br>
some of them remain sweet, and will attract others no matter where they go.
Some will let this experience go to their heads, and will be jerks about it.</p>
<p>On the yard they will be nothing.
Off the yard is a whole other story…</p>
<p>Keeping one’s ego in check is important…and a little humility goes a long way.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>well as long as they are not parked within 200 yards of Gate 1!!! :eek:</p>
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</p>
<p>not sure if “entertaining” is the word I would use…
concern, worry, cautious, gray hair, distraction… might use some of those, depending on the day and which way the wind is blowing! </p>
<p>Bill- wasn’t it you that said “If the Navy thought you needed a wife, they would issue one?” </p>
<p>Personally, getting through plebe year without a significant other can be a blessing…
but so can a gf who delivers chocolate-covered strawberries on the yard after a particuarly bad day… :o</p>
<p>(gray hair, worry, concern…gray hair, worry , concern…gray hair, worry concern…)</p>
<p>We all have had this discussion before re: GFs.
MOST–that is greater than 50% and probably close to 90%–teenaged boys have only one thought in mind when presented with chocolate-covered strawberries. They want to get past the chocolate and straight to the berry.</p>
<p>Given the significant obstacles between mids and their berries, I am not convinced there is any good that comes out of even *thinking * about how sweet berries can be.</p>
<p>THEN, even if one is able to enjoy the berry, the heartburn that arises should the berry be spoiled . . . well, you know how delicate strawberries can be. Having to tend to their moisture requirements, trying to ignore bruises, looking after special packaging requirements, having to find a place to store the berries when not in use, and whatnot [not to mention being surrounded by some pretty sweet berries right there on the yard], well, its better to just go to the mall and shop.</p>
<p>BWAHAHAHAHA!!!</p>
<p>LOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!</p>
<p>DAMN IT, Bill! I don’t have an office with a door anymore! You’re going to get me in trouble for laughing so hard! :D</p>
<p>Truer words were never spoken, my friend! PREACH IT!</p>
<p>ROFL! :D</p>
<p>Can we stop now? I wanna get off of this crazy ride. I’m not ready for this stuff! :p</p>
<p>Just be glad your kids aren’t sent into harms way while they are at their Academies like Kings Pointers. Last year LFWB was went to Iraq twice, but those dangers were nothing compared to what awaits him on his next ship Monday – <a href=“http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/fleet/shipInformation.html;jsessionid=Fmg9p917XbkSCWG5jB8QZGLrnyVK2rZd!810045902?shipCode=PRIDE%20HAWA[/url]”>http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/fleet/shipInformation.html;jsessionid=Fmg9p917XbkSCWG5jB8QZGLrnyVK2rZd!810045902?shipCode=PRIDE%20HAWA</a></p>
<p>Harms way can mean a lot of things ;)</p>
<p>LFWBDad, I don’t know how the boy will be able to concentrate. 
Too many of Bill’s “berries” tend to float on those.</p>
<p>Okay, back to why does this make me cry.</p>
<p>Ever almost break down in Wal-Mart? Okay, there I was buying “Navy” fabric for a scrub hat (support boy while I’m at work) I am going to make (yes, I sew). Anyway, the lady who was helping me asked me why the military fabric? I answered my son would be going into the Navy this summer. She asked if he volunteered (not sure about that question- last time I checked, we had ALL volunteer forces, however, she was being very nice). I told her he was going to the academy and would be there for four years before he went off onto his career path. Here comes the hard part. Hold on.</p>
<p>Okay. She said to thank him because he was one of the reasons we have what we do in this country and her church prays for them every week. </p>
<p>I thanked her, told her I would tell him, and went away somewhere to pinch the corners of my eyes, to stem tears.</p>
<p>Oh boy.</p>
<p>I didnt lose it in Walmart but in Food Lion Grocery Store when my daughter’s former co workers gathered around me for updates and to say how much they missed her and were praying for her. Then wouldnt let me pay for the goodie package stuff I had in my cart.</p>
<p>You know what, I post on this site very infrequently, but I feel like I have to on this occasion. </p>
<p>I’m British, I live in the UK. I know the horrible anti-American sentiments that get published in the British media, and especially in Continental Europe. </p>
<p>I’m coming to the US in a few weeks, for the first time since I was 11 years old. If I see anyone walking around in military uniform, I’ll be thanking them from the bottom of my heart for what they’re doing and the sacrifices they’re making - not just for the US, but for every single person in the world who values freedom. </p>
<p>I know it can seem like we on the other side of the Pond don’t value you guys. But we do. We just don’t have the courage to say ‘thank you, we were wrong.’</p>