Coastie Update #5 - Letters to Jude

 

**UPDATE! Got a post card from Jude today. It was very short but he made a point to stress "Please do not send me care packages" so again I just want to stress - letters only. :) And NOT the kind that plays music! Thanks guys! (ps. His note also said that things were going "as expected" ... I'm guessing that's code for "I'm fine but this sucks.")

Well, Jude has been gone for a week and a day but it feels like an eternity!! I haven't gotten any letters yet but I won't give up hope until I check my mailbox tomorrow. If there is still no letter then, than he probably didn't have time to write this past Sunday (they are only allowed to write letters on Sunday during diving hours), and I'll just have to wait until next week.  They say that week two is the worst part of boot camp because that's when the guys get yelled at the most and that's when the physical fitness and incentive training (extra physical exercise they have to do if they, or someone in their company, makes a mistake) is the worst. Jude worked really hard to be in great shape when he left, so I'm not as worried about the physical part as I am about the mental part.  I'm sure he can handle it, I just don't like the idea of him being yelled at for no reason.  

I did get to text him briefly when he as on the bus from the airport in Philly.  He was with the rest of his company at that point, and he told me that is indeed the oldest guy in his company.  The next youngest is 27, and then there was one guy who was 25, and then him. I'm not surprised- we all knew he'd be the old man.  Lol! But he seemed in good spirits when he was texting so I was happy to hear that.  I am sure he will make some lifelong friends out of this experience.  

I have been writing to him every day since the day he left Montgomery.  I also take a picture a day, mostly of Solomon, and I print it out at Walgreens and stick it in his letter.  They pretty much know me and Sol by now since we go in there every day and pick up one photo.  Lol! I just don't want Jude to feel like he is missing out on everything, so I write him about our day and any highlights.  It has actually been cathartic for me too, as writing to him gives me a way to connect with him every day.  

Some people were asking about if it was possible to write to Jude.  It definitely is! Actually, it's recommended, especially in the beginning of training when things are so difficult for the recruits.  If you would like to write, just keep in mind that it shouldn't be very long because he won't have a lot of time to read it.  You are allowed to send pictures, but keep them small or print them right on the paper that you are writing on.  Also do not send any packages- just letters.  And DO NOT put anything on the outside like stickers or put it in a girly envelope.   Only put the address on a plain envelope.  You can send cards, just not the ones that make music!! If you break any of these "rules" Jude will pay for it with teasing and possibly extra incentive training, which of course, no one wants.  

The address is:

SR Judah Clark 

Bravo 187 Healy Hall

USCG Tracen Cape May

One Munro Avenue

Cape May, NJ 08204-5083

If you are even considering writing, let me encourage you- please do!  It doesn't have to be anything fancy.  Just chit chat, update him on the Red Sox or the Olympics, or send an encouraging scripture or quote.  Really, whatever.  Also, for those of you who are computer savvy, go to Treat.com.  You can make a personalized card on there with wording or pictures and they will print it out and mail it for you!  It's genius!  And it costs about the same as buying a card at Walgreens and mailing it yourself.  Use the coupon code FREETREAT a check out and get your first card free.  No, I am not getting anything for this shameless plug- I just really thing that this company is pretty genius.  :)

Lastly, if you are curious as to what Jude is doing every day you can watch this video.  Also, thanks  to everyone who has shown such love and support to us during this challenging time.  It really has meant more than you know.  :)

Coastie Update #4 - Dates and Swearing In

Apparently, I'm not very good at keeping this updated.  *sigh.  I'll try harder... 

A lot has happened since I last wrote.  Judah was given an official ship date (July 24th, although he/we will be going to Montgomery, AL on the 22nd), AND he had his official "swearing in ceremony."  He was super blessed to have his friend Jonathan (who is an Officer with the CG) swear him in, and Jonathan's wife, Ashley, and I were both there to see it, too (with our little guys in tow. :)  )  I asked Jude after if he "felt" anything while he was saying the "oath of enlistment."  He said not at first, but then when he got to the part that talked about "obeying the orders of the President," it got really "real."  :)  If you have never read it before, here is the military oath of enlistment:

I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.

Watching him swear in was a proud moment for me.  Being a military wife was not something that I ever thought I would do, but I have always had great respect for servicemen and their families.  They make huge sacrifices to serve our country, and I have always had great respect for that.  I know that the CG often gets some flack from the military community because many of the other branches feel that the CG isn't "real" military.  I think this idea is based on the unlikelihood that a Coastie would be deployed overseas in a combat situation (among other reasons, I'm sure). In a sense, I get that.  My sacrifice as a Coastie wife who is separating from her husband for a few months while he stays safe in the US for training can't be compared with a Army wife who has just said goodbye to her husband for his second tour in Afghanistan or Iraq.  That's a whole different level of sacrifice for sure.  But, I will still be a single mom for 5+ months, and our lives will still be at the whim of the military- moving wherever and whenever they want.  So, because of those sacrifices (and others as well), I'll feel an extra sense of pride now when I see our flag flying high.  

Judah leaves five weeks from Sunday, and it's just starting to set in.  Exciting and scary at the same time.  I know I'm going to miss him so much, but the thing I'm most freaked out about is caring for Solomon alone for so long.  In the end, I know it'll be okay, but it's a bit daunting to think about.  He is at such a busy age, and chasing him around is EXHAUSTING.  Every day I look forward to Jude's arrival home from work, not just for the help, but also for the adult conversation!  It's going to be very difficult to not have this.  However, I'm so thankful that I have my in-laws to help with Solly and to be there for me.  It was a good decision for us to move to Fairhope.  I love it here, and being so close to them has also been a major bonus.  I don't know how people do this when they are placed completely away from family and friends.  I really, REALLY pray that we don't ever have to find out.  There is always a possibility we will, but we have so many friends/family located around the US coast, we're really praying God will place us near someone we know.

So, that's the update!  Here are the important dates:  

July 22nd- Judah goes to Montgomery

July 24th- Ships to boot camp in Cape May, NJ 

Sept. 14th -  Boot camp graduation (assuming Jude doesn't get reverted!- lol!)

*Jude will have around 5-8 days of leave in between NJ and CA, but he has to get to CA right away, even if it's before his school technically starts.  BOO!!

October 8th- Judah's A-school starts.

December 31st- A-school graduation???  We aren't sure if this is the exact date yet.  Right now it's our best guess... 

Feels good to at least have these dates on "paper."  This whole thing has been such a roller coaster, but at least we have a bit of a timeline for how the rest of the year should play out.  I just keep saying that this whole experience is "stretching my trust muscles," and reminding me to let go of control, and let God do His thing.  Sometimes easier said than done, but I'm learning.  :)

Here is the video of Jude swearing in:

Coastie Update #3

I realize it's been a while since I've posted a Coast Guard update, and people are starting to ask, so here's the skinny.

About a month ago Jude finished all of the testing and paperwork required to join the CG.  The security clearance forms he had to fill out were particularly time consuming, mostly because of our previous time spent abroad.  It took him weeks to get everything filled out and for his recruiter to give him the thumbs up, but eventually, he got the "go ahead" to choose a boot camp date.  We choose July 24th.  Because Jude will be going straight from boot came to his A-school (essentially cooking school for Coasties), he had to be cleared for A-school before he could get a reservation for boot.  That went through smoothly, but just before his recruiter sent in his paperwork for his reservation, we hit a snag.  We were told that the Coast Guard has filled up all of the slots for new enlistees for this fiscal year (which runs October to September), so they aren't taking anymore reservations until the new FY begins.  Essentially, this means that Jude will have to wait until Oct. or Nov. before he can ship out.  This is a big bummer for us.


Jude's recruiter did some digging, and managed to talk to a director in the main recruiting office.  He told her to go ahead and submit Jude's reservation anyway, and if they had any extra spots after they tallied everything up, then they would push him through.  So, she submitted his paperwork just over a week ago.  We should know by Thursday if he will get a spot for this FY or if he needs to wait a few more months for a spot in the beginning of the next FY.  


Now, even if everything goes through, and Jude gets approved for his spot in July, we have another little problem to consider.  Apparently, right around the time when the CG put a stop on all new reservations for this FY, they also put a hold on the enlistment bonus for all enlistees going into the FS (food service) rate (job).  This bonus was a BIG incentive for Jude when he decided to join, as it was going to help us eliminate some remaining debt, and balance out the small pay cut Jude will have to take until he advances to the next rank (E-5).  They suspended the bonus because essentially- the CG ran out of incentive funds, so nothing can happen until they meet and push the incentive program through again.  It's unlikely they will cancel the bonus altogether since FS is still a critical rate (meaning they are desperate for people who will work in this job area), but it is possible they will wait until the next FY to reinstate the bonus.  So, even if Jude is approved for July 24th, we will need to decide if we want to push out his date to ensure he will get the bonus or if we want to wait, and take the chance that it will be approved at some point before he goes.


Either way, he can always cancel his boot date up until the day before, and just keep pushing it out until the bonus is approved.... but that just leaves so much in the air.  Personally, I'd rather he just go in July if he is approved to go, because all this back and forth is messing with my head.  Also, it's impossible to plan ANYTHING when we don't know if he is going to be here or not in two months from now.  I feel like our life is kind of on hold, and I'd rather have a date when I know things are going to move forward.  But, Jude is thinking about what is the most financially responsible decision for our family, so it sounds like he isn't planning to go unless the bonus is approved.  I completely understand his point, and when we discussed it, both sides made sense to me, so I told him that I would be okay with whatever he decides.


So, you can see why I haven't posted an update.  Things have been very up and down.  This experience has been a total roller coaster, and I am really having to stretch my "trust muscles" big time.  I just keep reminding myself that God is in control, and at the end of the day, He is the one who will establish our timeline.


I'll try to remember to post once we find out if Jude's date in July was approved or not.  If it is, he will be sworn in to the Coast Guard the following week, on May 29th.  A good friend of ours is an officer in the CG, and he is planning to be the one to swear Jude in.  I'll make sure to take pics.  In the mean time, we wait... and wait... and wait...... and wait...................