He said , "Thirty years ago I took my basic army training!" It sounded surprising to him.
Now it brought back all kinds of memories from that time.
He came home the day high school was finished and swaggered into the house with his buddies and gleefully said. "I joined the army." This bowled me over. We had worked with him to enroll in a quota program at University. Now he's going to throw all that away and join the army!
Well, after some devilish laughter he explained that he had enrolled in a summer program for the reserve armed forces. What it meant to him was a well paying summer job with some excellent experience. Of course, he was in with his two best buds.
The 10 week basic training program was a good experience for him and he decided to stay enrolled in the reserve forces. He also gained some life long friends. This would give him some money throughout the year as they trained weekly.
That year he was accepted for officer training and spent the summer in Camp Gagetown. It was a good paying summer job with good experience and advancement.
The third year he spent the summer in communications training again. The fourth year he was Officer in charge of the original basic training program he took. So he learned much about leadership and communication.
I enjoyed watching some of the ceremonies they participated in.
Now when he said 30 years ago I found it hard to believe but it brought back many good memories.
Ha, ha, once we start remembering 30 or more years ago we know we are getting up there in age. It sounds like your son has a very level head and got himself some good training and money at a young age.
ReplyDeleteThis training certainly benefitted him in other positions.
DeleteCongratulations! He did very well for himself. Sigh... I do know what you mean though. My kids are getting older too. I can hardly believe my daughter passed her 40th birthday over a year ago. Oh my!
ReplyDelete... everybody says getting old happened so fast.
DeleteYes times flies when your child has memories of so long ago... That was a great job he did in summers.
ReplyDeleteI used to think the 30 years ago thing was only said by old men. Now where does that put me?
DeleteI still amaze myself when I talk about something that happened 30 years ago! In my mind, my parents remember 30 years back but not me!
ReplyDeleteYour son finished school just a year before me. His years in the reserves must have been good for his career and general life skills
Yes, we think it's only old b people saying 30 years ago. I sometimes tease him about becoming an old fart!
DeleteAh, isn't that fun?! I agree. Where does the time go? My kids are 32, 34, 38 this year!
ReplyDeleteI think time goes by quickly when we are busy!
Deletetimes fly by so quickly and very rudely . he does not care for our emotions and wishes .after human brain i find "time" the most strange thing on earth .
ReplyDeleteyou have a very brilliant and wonderful son Red!
he looks great in uniform!
kids grow fast and being a mother sometime i want them to be still there for me because when they learn flying ,they just fly away but then i node my head and criticize my selfish though and pray their safe growth and prosperity .
you are lucky to watch your son achieved what he wanted to achieve in life
I like the way you personify time.
DeleteThat kind of conversation can bring one up short. My daughter is 42!!! I cannot be that old, can I?
ReplyDeleteYes, my kids are that old and I was almost 30 by the time I got started with a family.
DeleteYes, I hear you. It's one thing when we are realizing how something thirty years ago wasn't just last week, but quite another when it's your offspring! It sounds like it was a good move for him back then. :-)
ReplyDeleteHe was somebody who needed to get some confidence so the training gave him skills and confidence.
DeleteTough for a parent to hear plans sometimes.I still see my kids as kids, even 30 years later. LOL
ReplyDeleteHe kept his college plans and reserves were part time.
DeleteSounds like a wise decision on his part! Time sure does go quickly, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteIt turned out to be a good decision but at the time he was not looking that far ahead.
DeleteMy Grandson is doing same thing. Joined the Army. He too working his way up. To be leader officer. He has already driven the Tank. Thrown the first grenade. He says he wants to remain in it . Will see. Yes the money is big dollars. My Grandson has been to many barracks for training. He is now in N.B at a training camp. Two hours away from my one email friend. When he was like 10. He said I want to be a soldier for my country. So will see through all this experiences. If it is his real passion for sure.
ReplyDeleteIt's great that your grandson had a goal and stuck to it.
DeleteIt does seem like time is moving much more swiftly than it did when I was younger.
ReplyDeleteHey, you've discovered the nasty speed of time passing by.
DeleteIt is good character building.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised by the leadership skills he acquired.
DeleteI am just trying to put myself in you and your wife's shoes when he came home telling you he had joined up. It seems like it was a great experience for him. That's great!
ReplyDeletethe news to us came out of the blue. I don't know how much thought he had given the situation when he signed up.
DeleteThat is a shocker when our KIDS say "thirty years ago"!
ReplyDeleteI suppose my Dad had the same experience.
DeleteThe forces can be a good place for the right people and teaches many skills. It sounds like your son was one of those right people and that he did very well. But I'm with you - how can our "kids" be that old? That makes us ... older than dirt!
ReplyDeleteThey really put them through the paces for officer training. He often talks about how hard it was.
DeleteThey really put them through the paces for officer training. He often talks about how hard it was.
DeleteI know that feeling! I still don't believe that I have daughters who are in their 50's. I can't think of myself as being over 50. Time flies! Sounds like you raised a fine son. Bet you were a great dad.
ReplyDeleteHi Red, Yes, Sir, that is neat to think about 30 years ago. Dang, I had to stop and reflect for a moment on where I was 30 years ago. Yes, those were the "good ol days" of teaching. It's fun to look back ... I don't miss getting those "lesson plans" together but I do miss some of the kids and the other teachers. It's interesting to read about your son's experience. Thanks, as always, for sharing. Take care and have a good rest of the week!
ReplyDeleteOnly thirty! You're lucky.
ReplyDeleteYour son must be about my age...maybe a bit younger? (I'm 50.) Anyway, good for him for taking advantage of that opportunity!
ReplyDeleteThirty years sounds like a long time! We are all shocked at some point in our lives...we are all getting older! :)
ReplyDeleteMy oldest son will be 42 this year. I had not thought about his going back in time as much as how much older I am now that I was as his young father. I did notice this year that both my boys have realized that I have become a lot older than they thought and my skills and abilities are going away. I liked reading about your son and his successes.
ReplyDeleteIt always comes as a shock when were realize even more than ourselves how old are children have become. Then again there is the fact that I taught children who are now grandparents and even a couple of early starter who are now great grandparent...Yikes....!
ReplyDeleteI guess you son was drawn towards the army because of the strict military regime he experienced as a child under the rule of Major Red and General Micro Manager. How time flies...
ReplyDeleteSuch a long time ago, but seems the memories remain fresh. Wonderful post and thoughts indeed. Warm greetings!
ReplyDelete