Alex has been talking about joining the Marines for over a year now. He finally got serious and talked with a recruiter, took the practice test and did NOT get the minimum score he needed. After a long heart to heart about why he wanted to join the Marines, I agreed to help him study for the ASVAB. (Knowing that by my helping him, he'd be leaving and probably never live at home again with a big possibility that he'd stay in military service for a long time. Which means that his babies/my grand babies might only know me through a computer screen and life as we know it would never be the same. I've only had this boy for 8 short years. This was hard for me. It still is.)
We studied HARD for about two weeks. Hours each day, I sent him flashcards and worksheets to do during school. Googled and completed every practice test and exam we could find online. Studied "ASVAB for Dummies" and put ASVAB apps on his phone. We even played ASVAB games as a family.
He took another practice test and didn't get the score he needed. He was very discouraged and didn't want to study anymore. James and I were talking about how maybe he should just go take the whole ASVAB? That very night Alex told me he as thinking the same thing, he was just going to go for it!
Take the full ASVAB.
But his recruiter said he had to pass the practice test before he could so he took it one more time and got a 38! (He needed a 32 - or so we thought.)
But more importantly than the score to get IN, I wanted him to get a GT (General Technician) score of 100 in order to stay off the front lines/infantry. (Give me a break? This kids had enough trauma in his past. He doesn't need to add any to it!) He's future plans are to serve for 4 years and then go into law enforcement with the hopes of eventually going into the FBI. He wanted the MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) of MP (Military Police). And he needed a 100 on his GT line score to qualify.
Sunday March 5th he met with the bishop and told him he wasn't planning to serve a mission but was planning to serve his country. Our bishop had him meet with a veteran Marine in our ward - to hear from a true Marine and not just a recruiter. I knew it wouldn't change his mind. It didn't. Our veteran told us that looking at Alex was like looking in a mirror 30 years ago and he told him he'd make "one hell-of-a Marine." And how he wished his parents had supported him with his decision.
So, Monday March 6th his recruiter took him to the MEPS building (Military Entrance Processing Station) and he took the full ASVAB. My heart dropped when he called and told me to come get him. He only got a 31. James and I got in the car and I was at a loss? I didn't know how to encourage Alex - how long he'd have to wait to try again? I just didn't have any words left. Maybe this was God's way of keeping him out of the military? But we'd both worked so hard to get him prepared. He was so excited and he had such noble and good reasons to join. He just doesn't test well with English being a 2nd language. He text me on the way and said he GOT IN with his 31 AND his GT line score was exactly 100!
What? How?
We couldn't believe it!
But it was true. He was IN and he had the 100 he needed!!!
It was a tender mercy and I am certain (as is Alex) that God had a hand in this.
Here he is with his packet of papers and the relief/smile on his face that he passed is evident!
They put the recruits up in a hotel that night because the next day is the physical test - the big medical screening and a small physical activity test. We picked him up, took him to the hotel to check in and I loved hearing him say "Yes Mam. No Mam" as he checked in at the special check desk they have at the hotel just for military check in.
He was told to be back for a briefing at 0530.
They gave him a voucher for dinner and breakfast so we joined him in the hotel for dinner.
The next day he was up at 0430 and couldn't use his phone or make any contact. At 11:50 we got the following text from Sgt Balle "All is well, once I get a time for his swearing in, I will give each of you a call. The estimated window is 2-3 pm."
He would be swearing in to the delayed entry program - since he still needs to graduate from high school. (Apparently there's another swearing in ceremony when he leaves for bootcamp?)
At 1:30 we got a text from Alex to come to the MEPS building.
This is Alex practicing the swearing in. We're sitting in the lobby.
This is his "at ease" stance:
The swearing in went fast. I'll post a video at the bottom. I was so proud of him. The gal swearing him in was quiet and quick but he was loud and strong. Here's James congratulating him.
(I did too but I'm the only one that takes pictures of these moments.)
Proud parents
Sargent Balle showed up with a bunch of stuff for Alex including this certificate.
This is his smile:
This is his serious Marine face - which looks just like his "Ukraine Smile":
More family pictures with Marine bling:
With his recruiter - Sargent Samuel Balle - who happens to LOVE my chocolate chip cookies:
We went straight to the recruiters office to finalize his MOS and get a boot camp entrance date but not before waiting a LONG time due to paperwork and his dual citizenship. They couldn't figure it out.
He was given the boot camp date of June 26th but his job wasn't available then AND he'd miss Devree's wedding. His job was available at a later date. The head guy really tried to talk him into taking a mechanical job? He tested well in mechanical but we held out. They sent us home and told us they'd work it out.
When we got in the car Alex said, "There's a reason I got the exact score I need to be a MP. I'm going to stick with that."
So we waited.....
About TEN days later I work up in the night panicking - Alex had not yet secure his MOS or gotten a boot camp date. I composed Alex the following text:
"I'm wondering if you should ask Sargent Balle if you should be worried about that your MOS isn't secured yet? There were very limited MP slots available and I'm worried this delay with your paperwork will make it so those spots are gone? Also, you really need to secure your boot camp date for summer employment plans. Do they know anything more about this? I think you might want to get on this and see what you can find out? I'd hate to see you lose the MOS you've worked so hard for based on a paperwork delay. ~Mom"
That morning he asked me what to do? I said "Copy and paste that to Sargent Balle and just say, 'this is from my mom'. "
He did and left for school at 7:30 am.
At 9:20 am (I was teaching yoga) I got a call from Sargent Balle personally. (He didn't call or text Alex - just me!)
"Alex has his MP job and his boot camp entrance date is August 28th."
Woot!
He'll be home for the wedding, can work the summer but most importantly.....he has his MOS!
I sent Sgt Balle more cookies - but I am smiling to myself - even the Marines listen to moms!
