My Son's Commitment!

**cudarunner** · 03-11-2013, 02:45 AM

Hi Guys!

Well today was the day!

My only son (Connor) was picked up the local Marine Corp Recruiter today (3/10/2013) and is now in Spokane Washington USA for the night. Tomorrow he will be sworn in and transported to San Diego California for boot camp! He
will turn 20 years old on April 15^th 2013!

This isn’t something that has happened quickly. He had joined JR ROTC as a freshman in High School and as a Sophomore he started talking about joining the military. When he became a Junior he started talking to all the different branches Recruiters. He was complimented by all of them for planning ahead and doing his research.

He graduated as a Captain in JR ROTC with a special commendation from the Army that was recommended by his Commander Ret. Lt Colonel Bialozor.

When the Army was courting him, while still a Senior the Recruiter told him that his scoring on his testing was very good and that while the Infantry was the backbone of the Army they wanted him for his mind!

He decided to wait and get some work and life experience before he made his decision, I think he also knew that he needed to grow up just a little before he made the plunge.

When the Marines once again came courting him last year; The Marines said the same thing! It had been too long since he was tested so they re-tested and Connor scored much higher than previously. High enough that if he decides he likes the Corp and wants to stay in he can become an Officer.

I work with a Marine who was the equivalent of ‘The Joker’ from the movie Full Metal Jacket/a photographer/journalist who served in Nam and has a son who is making a career with the Corp. When he asked what my son’s MOS was I said; Construction and Utilities, he responded “Outstanding! If he decides to leave the Corp he’ll have training for a civilian job!

Well Guys, that’s what I had to share! OH! Hirlau has been a great help and Connor and I Thank Him! His brother is a Marine DI with an outstanding record so his counsel has been very welcome and very informative! Since Connor knew that neither his Straight nor DE could be used, he reluctantly lowered his standards and started using (oh shudder the word) disposables! When he was shaving this morning, I asked him why he didn’t use the Friodur just one last time before he headed to boot camp and he said: “Dad, I miss it enough as it is! Why torture myself”?

Anyway, I’m very proud of my son!

Roy

Ps: Check this out if you wish!

Senior Drill Instructor's Speech-Parris Island - YouTube

**Hirlau** · 03-11-2013, 02:51 AM

It took a good parent to get him there.
He will do fine, Roy.

**gssixgun** · 03-11-2013, 02:53 AM

I agree with John, Conner will do just fine, now you on the other hand

I am betting yer going to miss him fiercely..

**onimaru55** · 03-11-2013, 03:13 AM

Congrats to both of you Roy. Hopefully as an officer he can shave with the Frio.

**HNSB** · 03-11-2013, 03:34 AM

Thanks for sharing that Roy.
Congrats to Connor.

**cudarunner** · 03-11-2013, 04:17 AM

Originally Posted by Hirlau

It took a good parent to get him there.
He will do fine, Roy.

I thank you! I've tried hard!

**cudarunner** · 03-11-2013, 04:19 AM

Originally Posted by gssixgun

I agree with John, Conner will do just fine, now you on the other hand

I am betting yer going to miss him fiercely..

Glen, What do you mean (going to)?? He's been on my mind before and after he left!

hehehe

**dfafs** · 03-11-2013, 04:45 AM

Congratulations to you both!

**carlmaloschneider** · 03-11-2013, 05:10 AM

Sounds like he's well prepared,and I bet you helped with a lot of the preparation. I was a Recruit Instructor in the Australian army in the 80's, and that video brings back some memories, although there's a lot of differences of course. What I do remember is how sad but proud my father was when he saw me off at the train station when I joined as a recruit, and how proud I was when I measured up against the standards, and again how proud I was at being a Recruit Instructor, which is certainly one of the best jobs in the army.

There is no more a level playing field than the army, it sorts the wheat from the chaff...

**cudarunner** · 03-11-2013, 05:45 AM

Originally Posted by HNSB

Thanks for sharing that Roy.
Congrats to Connor.

Eric,

If you hadn't have taken the time out of your busy life to help mentor this Old Redneck Country Boy (and your Elder) and helped him with 'learning the ropes' about this art of shaving with a straight razor, your recommendations on hones when the time came etc. Connor would never have had the opportunity of:

Shaving (at the age of 17) with his great-great grandfather's razor for the first time in close to 100 years, let alone with the 8/8 Friodur that I gave him for the following Christmas, nor the Strop that you Custom Made for his Birthday, nor the Custom Scales that Glen made for that same Friodur for the next Christmas.

What about the Custom Brush that Gerrit made with the wood donated by Robert??

When I tell those who first post here and have joined in the fray at SRP that they have found the most friendly, helpful and informative site on the Web, it comes from the heart!

I started to personally thank everyone by replying to each message individually but I see that's going to be impossible!

I do thank Everyone for your thoughts about my son!

Who would have thought that back in '10 I'd end up with so many members who care about what goes on in my life, but also how many really good friends I've made!

Eric, you started it all and I Thank You!

Roy

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