My eldest son, Chris, age 24, ships for basic at Ft. Leonard Wood MS for OSUT on Tuesday, Oct 11. We're a military family and my chest is puffing out with pride that he's stepped up. His parent unit is the CA Army National Guard, 1/18th Cav, "A" Troop. My old unit from 20 years ago. After AIT, he will be the Unit's Chemical Weapon's Specialist.

A Family Tradition in Cav Country.

When I spoke about reenlisting, both my sons expressed the desire to join the Army Guard. My middle son, Adam, age 17 joined up, following in his Dad's and elder brother's foot steps and is on DEP until February. He will be going to Ft. Benning GA for OSUT, Air Assault, his parent unit is 1/184th. CAARNG. I reenlisted about the same time my sons enlisted. I am now at the 1/185th HQ SMR SUP DET.

Congratulations.

Please convey our appreciation for his service.

Is that 1/185 AR or IN?

That's a hell of a tradition in your family. I bet Mom must get absolutely sick with worry, especially with all the deployments.

184IN should be coming back to the US soon, but I'll wager he'll get picked up as an individual augmentee. We're getting soldiers battle-rostered as soon as they get back from AIT

Best of luck to the lot of you

NTM

Quoted: Is that 1/185 AR or IN? That's a hell of a tradition in your family. I bet Mom must get absolutely sick with worry, especially with all the deployments. 184IN should be coming back to the US soon, but I'll wager he'll get picked up as an individual augmentee. We're getting soldiers battle-rostered as soon as they get back from AIT Best of luck to the lot of you NTM

1/185th AR, Although I understand that this unit is transitioning into an IN. The unit just came back from the Sandbox a few months ago.

Yes, we're restructuring all right.

Once upon a time, California had two regiments of tanks. After this restructuring, 1-185 is going to have the only two tank companies left in the State. Means a lot of commuting for us die-hard tankers.

Last I heard, the new designation was 1-185 Combined Arms Battalion. (Two companies infantry, two tanks, one engineer, one support/HQ).

I assume you're in San Bernadino then.

NTM

Quoted: Yes, we're restructuring all right. Once upon a time, California had two regiments of tanks. After this restructuring, 1-185 is going to have the only two tank companies left in the State. Means a lot of commuting for us die-hard tankers. Last I heard, the new designation was 1-185 Combined Arms Battalion. (Two companies infantry, two tanks, one engineer, one support/HQ). I assume you're in San Bernadino then. NTM

Yup, I'm in San Bernardino.

Yes, too many changes for me to make sense of, my old unit, 1/18th Armored Cav, "A" Troop was Tankers and Cav Scouts ( was a Tanker then, 19E. In the works is turning them into an MP unit, moving them from Pomona to Ontario. This is kind of sad for me, I really liked the old Pomona armory, lots of good times there. I felt so honored that my son was going to that unit. I wish he would be able to spend the time there at the armory that I did.

I'm assuming you're still in the guard, where are you at?

I'm in your 'D' (Madera tank) Company, until I can find a new job commensurate with my rank.

Say 'hi' to Top Larsen for me.

NTM

Congrats Wizard.  We appreciate your family's service.

We stayed up late tonight, talking, laughing and watching movies on the DVD player. He was somewhat nervous on the outside, well, then again, I was nervous too on his behalf in the event that he wasn't nervous enough.

At about ten minutes after three AM, his recruiter arrived to take him to MEPS for a spot check and travel voucher. He got a hug from his mom and I while he told us "See you in 10 weeks", hoping that he would have Christmas leave after BCT. I don't know why I am full of anxiety about this, when I went through BCT, it wasn't "fun" all the time, but parts of it I enjoyed, of course, I enjoyed going home the most.

I watched the car drive down the road as the tail lights got smaller in the distance until they disappeared. I muttered "Bye Chris". It was much like this for me some 21 years ago.

See ya in 10 weeks, son...

*** UPDATE ***

The Recruiter returned him home this afternoon as his paperwork was all screwed up, his next shipdate is November 8. He's rather down about it. Talk about a SNAFU. Oh well, we get to enjoy having him around for nearly another month.

Hooah. Wish him luck for me. Graduated from MP OSUT at FLW in May. LW sucks in the winter.

185AR?? You guys still missing some 9mms from NTC??? Give your son my appreciation for volunteering.

No, they showed up. The wife, looking for a divorce, turned in the guy who stole them. Or something of that nature.

It wasn't just a 'loss' it was an actual theft.

NTM