Graduation at Fort Benning -- A Sight to Behold
Posted: Sunday, October 11, 2009
by Nancy Daniels
Voice Dynamic
Well it happened. After 14 long weeks, my son graduated from Infantry basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia, this past Friday. The 2-day event was incredibly rewarding for all who attended. Having been privileged to watch my stepson graduate from Marine basic training at Parris Island in 2002, I was proud to see another branch of the Armed Forces in action. Fort Benning is huge and considers itself the greatest Army training base in the world.
There were 2 companies graduating on the 9th, each comprised of more than 200 men and in this particular case, I mean ‘men.' There are no women in Infantry. Should you question how popular the military is today, there were other companies that had graduated the day before. While the Army teaches discipline, military bearing, courtesy, and respect, I was most impressed to hear all of these young men addressing others, military and civilian alike, with such respect. When asked a question, each and every one responded with a Yes, Ma'am or Yes, Sir, Thank you Ma'am or Thank you, Sir.
Many of those who graduated on Friday will go to new posts in Italy, Germany or at other bases located throughout the world or in the States, some in the reserves and others prepared to be deployed. My son, however, remains at Fort Benning where he will start Airborne training this week. Recognized as 18 x ray, he, as well as 14 other young men, have been selected to train for pre-qualification to Special Forces also known as the Green Berets. Whether he is accepted into this elite group of men is questionable. Few, who have not had prior military experience, are selected. But he is up to the challenge. Even if he is accepted into this group, he will have 18 more months of training and will still have to meet their criteria through this year-and-a-half process in order to become a Green Beret.
Of the many parents I met during our 2-day stretch, there is no doubt that all of those in attendance were proud of their sons' achievements. There is also no doubt that we were of like thinking in the security and the freedom of our country. The role of the Infantry is to serve the people of the United States. These are men of whom you can be proud. Their job is to place your freedom first and foremost even if it costs them their lives. A good friend of mine from Canada saw my son's information on Facebook this weekend and immediately wrote and asked me if he had been drafted. I assured her that no one in the United States is being drafted and that the majority of those who enlist do so out of love of country and service to this great nation. Of that, America, you should be proud!
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More commentsIf your son is anything like his Mom he will certainly achieve his goal. Thank him and your other son, "Step," for me, please.Great article, Nancy.Ken,I will pass on your thanks to both. To be honest, I am prepared for my son not to make it. He and I have discussed this at length and he knows that few, if any, who have not previously served, are selected. An emotional letdown, yes, but he sure will be in the best shape of his life!
You should be really proud of your stepson and son. To successfully get through any military basic training is a feat in itself. People like them and obviously you, help this country stay, strong, principled and free! Congrats!Nancy, I wrote the above comment (Steve Kovacs) I was thrown off by the new format...I'm getting old, anyway great article.No, Steve,We are getting older -- not old. There is a big difference. Thanks for your thoughts. Good to hear so much support for our military and for those who are serving.
HI Nancy, beautifully descriptive. What a wonderful time for these great young men. I am thankful for and proud of each one of them. May the Lord go before them and behind. As you know, my friend's son is in the special forces it the Air Force. He just returned home safely from Iraq and is now in Vegas for further training. We are not sure were he is going next. Lord be with our government! It is not an easy time for our country and our military men, women, and their families. Blessings to you! TeresaLord be with out government is right, Teresa! I am very concerned about what is happening in Aghanistan right now and my heart breaks when I hear about deaths that are occurring that might not have happened were our military given the strength they need to be effective. Thanks for you comment and I'll keep your friend's son in my prayers as well.
Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us. Children like yours are what brings mothers great joy. You are blessed.Linda DLinda,While I don't see a lot of this type of respect among the young people in my own neighborhood, it was rewarding to witness such a group of men who were representating most of our states. They are out there thankfully.
Cool article. My older son graduated from Infantry AIT at Ft. Benning back in May. He's stationed in South Korea now. My younger son graduated from Army PsyOp today, of all days. Unfortunately we couldn't make it for that one.Stephen,Thank you for telling us about your sons. It is wonderful to be able to read these comments and see how many other people have children or grandchildren who are serving, or who they themselves have served our country. President Obama is correct. More people need to serve our country -- ideally in the military.
I served in the military for a couple years. I am proud of the Americans who put their lives on the line to defend our freedom. I know the training builds character. I remember when I was invited to train for Delta Force (also Special Forces) because of my chosen specialty in intelligence. I chose not to take them up on their offer, but I wish the best for your son and the Green Beret.Jim,Thanks for sharing your story & your service as well. My son's reason for wanting to go Green Beret is because ultimately, he, too, wants a career in intelligence. It will be interesting to see if he makes it.
GOD Bless our troops! So many of our youth could stand to experience this type of training. Even if just to learn respect.I couldn't agree more, Glenn. Our young people today are missing in some basic fundamentals that were part of my upbringing. It saddens me to see such a lack of respect for others as well as lack of discipline. It certainly speaks volumes about how we raise our children.Nancy, congrats to you and your family! We have two teenage daughters. The oldest a senior in high school. They are not angels by no means. But we have instilled the basic fundamentals of life through our guidance and example. We are all very active in our church. I think that has helped. Again, congrats, and we will pray for your son.
Hello Mrs Daniels,Thank you for your son and for your willingness that he has chosen to serve his country.I pray that God keep him and indeed all those in the Armed Forces safe, now and always.Thank you Shad for comments. Incidentally, it is not my willingness (although I am pleased) -- this was my son's decision.Nancy
Wonderful article, Nancy, and you should be very proud of your son. He sounds like a wonderful young man. My oldest son spent two terms in two different branches of the service and has a wonderful job due to that fact. He is a flight engineer and although I worry about him because he flies so much, I know he loves his job and is very good at what he does. I, too, am a proud mother. Thanks for sharing.SandraSandra,And so you should be proud. Two terms -- two different branches? Wow!I think one of the definitions of motherhood is worrying about our kids no matter how old they are!Thanks for commenting,
Congratulations Nancy, and best luck to your son! Maybe someday you could divulge your good parenting techniques in an article.
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