08/05/2022
By Susan Martin, RTC Public Affairs
Today is Mother's Day and we at Recruit Training Command bow to all you mothers out there who have sons or daughters in boot camp as well as those whose sons or daughters have gone through boot camp.
We recognize it is not an easy task to see your children, now adults, off to the military and have limited communication during these 10 weeks. However, as you remain strong and supportive during this time by continually writing to your recruits, you are giving them the encouragement, confidence and motivation they need to succeed in becoming a Sailor in the world's finest Navy. You're a mom! Only other mothers can respect and understand this.
When you first spot your new Sailor enter the drill hall at graduation and see them in their uniform, marching tall and proud as you have never before seen them, you will find yourself overwhelmed with pride, love and sheer joy as you scream out your Sailor's name.
Each week at graduation we get to witness this incredible scene: The big white garage door slowly opens and before the Sailors come into full view with only their legs visible as they march in place, the entire crowd is already on their feet in a screaming frenzy. As each division marches by and everyone is overcome with excitement, it is often the mothers who are most overwhelmed with sentimental emotions. Why, they are the ones who carried them for nine months.
They are shrieking out their Sailors’ names, pointing cheering, and attempting to hold up their phones for photos or videos — which only later most likely will be discovered to be blurry because you were shaking too much with pride and hugging your family as tears were streaming down your face. Tears of pride. Tears of love. Tears for the joy of seeing your son’s or daughter’s face for the first time in 10 weeks, which seemed more like 10 years to you.
As the Sailors march by, they maintain their serious faces and military bearing. However, we can see that while their faces are locked into position — their eyes are not. They are desperately scanning the crowd looking for their loved ones. Imagine how difficult it is for them unable to break out into a huge smile and wave at you frantically when their eyes lock into yours.
At the end of the ceremony when the announcer yells, “Liberrrrrty!!!” it's a mighty collision of Sailors and families on the drill deck as everyone leaps into each other’s arms. You moms are bawling and refusing to let go to give anyone else a chance at hugging their new Sailor because, dagnabit, You. Are. Mom! You won’t even be able to stop staring at your Sailor, who many times is all watery-eyed themselves.
So, to all you mothers out there (who are probably already crying and smiling by the time you reach this sentence) we bow to you in respect for sending us your sons and daughters. We promise they are being well taken care of and they are eager with anticipation to have you see them in their crisp, white uniforms at graduation.
This is your day, moms. Today you relax. At graduation, you will not. You'll be too busy looking for more tissues to sop up those tears of pride.
For today only, go ahead, post a pic of you and your future Sailor. Show us your pride and joy!
Want to know what expect at the end of the graduation ceremony when you can finally scramble over the crowd to reach your Sailor? I created this 12 years ago. However, all of it is still relevant today.
Post your pics!
