Oregon National Guard

My daughter is doing great and we want to keep it going!! We are doing a mini-vacation and not bringing her home. We have a lot of fun things planned and some rest and quality time together.

Good luck to all of you and I can't wait until 9/4

Thanks, Lisa, for your kind and encouraging words. He has been successful so far and assures me he will be returning to OYCP, won't do anything to sabotage that because he really wants his diploma. I'll try not to let my anxiety get the best of me.
Thanks again, Sarah

Finally everyone! A positive letter received!

After receiving letter after letter of complaints and excuses I believe that my 'reluctant to change' son has begun to see the light. I had to send a couple of tough letters, explaining that while we were apart we wanted to hear about the positive experiences he was having. If it took him several nights to write a thoughtful letter, then please do that and based on the nicely written letter we received, the words are getting through. Wow it only took 5 weeks of anxiety and worry. I too, like the other postings here was very worried about the upcoming break, but now I do feel a little more confident in the slow change that is occurring.

I wasn't sure if you knew, but my brother (Smith's Mentor) will be attending the training this Saturday and he was told that he could bring a camera. So, not sure about you guys but I am very excited to see recent pictures of our son!
Take care Everyone! Only 110 days to go!

Carrie

1 week until 1st break. I can't wait to see my daughter!!

On day 2 I received the dreaded call. I stuck to my guns and told him that I was not going to pick him up. I cried for hours after the call with Aaron. I felt like a horrible mother (a good mom would not leave her children with strangers) and wanted to go get him immediately. Thanks to a very wonderful husband I stayed my ground. The last letter from Aaron was a very positive letter and he was very proud of himself for getting this far. After reading it I knew this was the program for him. I can't wait for the 4th to come as that will be the best Birthday present for me. I just hope that I will be over the pnemonia by then so Aaron won't get it. Thank you for all your postings, it has helped a lot. Wanda

I received a awesome and funny letter from my daughter. She is excited to come home on break to see her family and is really missing her brother, which is a big change since all the ever did was fight with each other. She seems to be adapting well. I can't wait to see her. This is going to be the longest week ever. I am looking forward to meeting her friends that she has made. 5 more days!

It is hard to believe how slow this week is going! I am so excited to see my son and the changes that he has embraced. He seems to be doing really good and working really hard. We can't wait to see him and the other Cadet's on Friday!
I hope everyone enjoys their weekend with their Cadet! I am trying to not even think about the 8th- it hurts already!

Take care!

Jill

For the parents who are skeptical as to whether or not their candidate/cadet (whatever stage they may be at currently) will not want to go back, be prepared to hear it brought up. The only advice I can suggest is for the parents to be supportive of your son/daughter. You will quickly recognize the difference in them that even just a few weeks will have made on them so quickly. No matter how much they say they dont want to go back, just feed them positive thoughts about what they are doing, who they are around, and what can be accomplished when graduation time comes around. I will say i truly miss the program, and it has been almost three years since i have seen the driveway to the compound.

Remember, no matter how much they struggle or how well they may be doing, they havent forgotten about the loved ones back home. They will use you for motivation and encouragement through the tough goings. Be that person they have always wanted you to be, and I guarantee when they go back, itll be with a smile on their face knowing they have nothing but unconditional support and love from family and friends back home. Write frequently, and remind them how much everyone misses them. theyll cherish it for the rest of their lives.

with best regards, and happy wishes, take care.
SPC Coleman, Brendan
United States Army, Active duty
3-2 SBCT Fort lewis, WA
FOB Warhorse, Iraq

Second platoon i miss all you guys so much i had the time of my life at oycp and met some really good freind Stay strong dimoandback cadets graduate for me juarez and valdez we support you all the way good luck in school