A SOLDIER'S PERSPECTIVE
THE WEB'S LEADING MILITARY BLOG SINCE 2004
I’m sure that a lot of mothers and fathers ask themselves this question over and over again – especially when facing the prospect of sending their sons and daughters into combat. The military isn’t the safe place it was when I signed up (though I’ve signed on to stay through tough times). Recruits that join the military these days can harbor no illusions about what they’re getting themselves into. Neither can family members.
I came across a blog post written by InfantryMom with the title I used above. It’s a great read that I’d like to point you to. Here is just a snippet:
I’ve had this question put to me several times over the last month or so, usually by other mothers who were appalled that my oldest son was going into a war zone of his own accord. Each time I’m asked, I talk about how proud I am and yes, that I’m terrified as well, but that it’s his choice.
I was thinking about this a bit today and finally it sort of gelled in my own mind. All InfantrySon’s life I’ve tried to teach him to be a critical thinker, to examine options and make educated decisions based on those options.
Read the rest for yourself and find out if these teachings took hold and meant anything.
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Anatomy of a Military Dating Scam
@Jc great job scammers NEVER seem to get their lies right glad you sme
Isaac
Timely post CJ, I gotta get my mom to read this.
Infantry Mom
Thanks for your service, CJ, and thanks for the mention.
I think it can be really hard for family to step back from the fear and the “what if” scenarios that keep running through them and take a look at the bigger picture. To take a good look at their adult child and be willing to embrace their decision and cause.
Don’t get me wrong, I AM scared sometimes and I do have visions of what MIGHT happen. But I try very hard to never lose sight of everything I have to be proud of in InfantrySon.
Every soldier is now MY soldier. When he enlisted in the Army, by proxy, so did I. His causes do become my causes.
How could I, as his mother, do any less?
Hoooah!
SSgtJ
Awesome post! As the father of an Iraqi Veteran, I concure with what she said. There is no way that I can add anything to it. I think her last line says it all …
Thanks CJ, for sharing this with us. It is must reading for everyone!
SSgtJ
InfantryMom, thank you for sharing such personal thoughts with us. Those words you wrote on your blog are inspiring and will provide some comfort to those of us who have loved ones in harms way.
As a Vietnam Veteran, I am scared to death just thinking about my son in harm’s way. You put into words, things that I can not.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Infantry Mom
SSgtJ – thank you for your service in Vietnam as well. My uncle served as a pilot in Vietnam.
I’m grateful for the flash of inspiration that caused that post and to be able to put words to my feelings. I’m glad it strikes home with others as well.
sue
Infantry Mom thank you so much for your beautiful words. As parents we do our best to instill good values in our children and we never know along the way most times if we have done a good job. Not till they are all grown up and we stand back and look at the kind of person that they have grown into. And then, we get to swell with pride when we see them being good people and taking care with others as we have taught them. Bravo!! Well done!! Your son will be in my prayers each night till he is safely back home with you. In the mean time, we will stand watch with you, keeping you in our prayers and our hearts while you wait. Thanks for sharing.
Infantry Mom
Thank you, Sue. I appreciate and welcome all thoughts and prayers for InfantrySon and all our servicemen and servicewomen in harm’s way.
Thank you for your kind words.
DeLisa
Dear Infantry Mom,
My son has enlisted recently and I’ve felt great pride and great fear about his decision. He leaves for basic training in March.
His father and I are divorced. His dad and I share the same sense of pride and fear, but his dad’s family is livid and have posed this question in a fashion that has made me feel like a terrible parent for supporting his choice to serve.
I appreciate your article, for reminding me to support my son on his quest to become an honorable man. I will aspire to be as supportive and proud of a mom as you are for your soldier son.
Thank you again for sharing your powerful words.