Well I made it all the way to 3-2 day of boot camp after three weeks of P-Days aka Processing Days. With only three weeks to go a simple question of why do you lean your head from my RDC, aka Recruit Division Commander, aka Petty Officer 1st Class turned into my worst nightmare. Basically to make a long story short I am now sitting in Seperations waiting for my Legal and PSD to go through so I can go home. In civilian terms I got a medical discharge from the Navy. They said that I could possibly go through surgery to get my eye problem corrected but that the operation would be very risky because of my age and the area of which they would have to operate on. They said the operation might make my condition worse and could lead to partial blindness. I am trying to stay positive and my fellow shipmates have all been very supportive. They could tell how hard I took this news and I am keeping contact with them all to help me through this frustration and depression. I actually did quite well in boot camp and I miss my Division very much. Boot camp was very hard for me and I had to work quite a bit harder than most because I've always taken longer to catch on. I perservered though and dug deep in my gut and pushed on. I have learned so much and it really has changed me for the better. I am very happy and proud that I joined the Navy even though I was unable to continue. I was beating myself up at first but my shipmates convinced me that I was a good sailor and I took care and held up a lot of people that would've quit otherwise. I just felt like a failure and they told me that it was physical not that I didn't do a good job. I am going to try to make graduation and see my shipmates off. I hope that they are safe and make the Navy proud. I know I am proud of my Division. Division 068. I'll keep you all posted when I get home. It may be awhile though. Maybe not till early Jan. Love you guys....
Comments
-
Lucytorial said on Dec 20, 2008....
Nick, I'm so sorry to hear this. I know how much you wanted this. Damn! honey, don't feel bad, maybe this will open up another door, another possibility heck! who knows what curve balls life is gonna throw at us.Can't wait to catch up again when you get back. You have a wonderful christmas and fabulous new year hon. ♥ -
pusscat said on Dec 20, 2008....
Hey Nick - it's good to see you again but i am sorry for the circumstances that it falls under. Thing is, and I know you're gonna think this corny but, with things that have happened to me, I really do believe there is a reason for everything. See - your fate wasn't to serve your life in the Navy my friend. Your fate was to join up, do the boot camp and support a great bunch of guys and gals like yourself, and to be supported right back. Your fate was to be there at this time just when you needed it. As you say, you have changed. THAT is why you were meant to join! Do you see?
No one can be the same after going through all that. The bonding that you must have done. The growing that only those that have been through it can really understand. I am so proud of you so you must be proud of yourself :-))
I do hope you get to go to graduation too. Division 068 will always be YOUR Division too. No one can ever take that away. I hope you have a great Christmas with those guys and gals and I look forward to seeing you in the New Year.
Take care Nick
Love and hugs to all of Your Division
pc
-
fragglesrock said on Dec 20, 2008....
NICK!!! what a bummer! i know how hard you trained for this. you made it further than so many have, you made friends there that you never would have otherwise, and as you said you have learned so much. you sound like you are accepting of what life is giving you and i'm glad of that :) please keep us updated! -
winterslight said on Dec 21, 2008....
hi nick!that sucks that you had to be sent home...but no this maybe this was not the path ment for you..and this was the only way to stop you from going down it..you proved to yourself in the short time that you are strong..and that you can do anything!now its time to find out what the right path for you is...keep your eyes and ears open to everything cause it will drop in on you and you may miss the signs..maybe your ment to come home and find your true love? never no...but glad your home safe hold your head up high...bug hugs! -
cuppajava said on Dec 21, 2008....
Hi Nick -i know that it is a hard thing to try and accept.I joined the army when i was 19 for a 2 year stint.So I made it through the basic training which lasted 6 months and that was the hardest shit i have physically had to go through.Luckily i was in good condition when i went in.I made it on to the junior leaders course after that and gained the rank of a corporal.To cut a long story short and after over a dozen stints of active duty across the border in Namibia and visits to the townships during apartheid,my back started to play up big time.I tried to be macho about it and stick it out - but it only made it worse.I was given a medical discharge with about 7 months left on my stint.It really pissed me off as i was so close to finishing it - but sometimes you have no choice - you need to listen to your body sometimes.It will be for the best and i hope all goes well for you in the new year -
mOOn_platOOn said on Dec 22, 2008....
What? They can't find work for someone with an eye problem?? Somebody call Obama! That's outrageous. I'm mad. -
SlickNick said on Dec 25, 2008....
Hey thanks for the support everyone. I was surprised as hell to hear that the Navy wanted me to be discharged as well. I figured there was something I could do but I think it might have to do with the expense and how complicated the surgery is. I have faith that the Navy knows what they are talking about and I am coming terms with the fact that there is nothing I can do and should just accept it. Now I'm just dealing with being in Seperations during the holidays which is a whole other challenge. I really miss being home with my family and friends. I miss blogging with you all here. You all have made me feel so much better about my situation and for that I thank all that posted. It's been really positive for me to read this while dealing with being in.. well.. basically like jail. Seps is hard on me. I don't get the respect I used to when I was with my division and everyone treats me like a criminal. We have to be escourted everywhere we go and they have a lot of guys on suicide watch. We don't even get butter knifves in the galley anymore. We try to keep our spirits up but it's difficult especially during the holidays. I will have more access to the computer during the holidays but it's probably going to be off and on because we have to share like six computers with like 50 some odd people. I'll keep in touch when I can. Hopefully talk to you all soon. -
winterslight said on Dec 25, 2008....
merry x mas sweetie...
hope you get home soon!
and keep a smile on your face!
-
SlickNick said on Dec 27, 2008....
Well I'm still stuck in Seps. I'm hoping to get Legal on Monday and PSD shortly after. There is no telling how long I'll be here at this point. I just hope that I make it back before my birthday. The boredom is killing me. -
Lucytorial said on Dec 27, 2008....
Why are they making you wait so long!!! Thats ludicrous. Man like they kick you out because you have a weird eye then tell you you can't quite go yet because we're all busy having christmas but you sonny boy can go fuck yourself right??HI NICK!!!! :-D -
Bosun said on Dec 28, 2008....
Nick, bad break my man.
I spent a week on a carrier once escorted and watched by the Masters at Arms when I heloed over to get a cracked tooth fixed. Unfamiliar ships are dangerous places, especially carriers. Fortunately I'd brought some reading material along - I was completely bored most of the time.
At least you can look forward to a welcome home party.
-
SlickNick said on Dec 30, 2008....
Well I at least got Legal today and they told me that I should be ready for my departure breifing within about ten business days at the most. I am very happy and thankful for that at least. There were a lot of guys that got to leave yesterday which kind of bummed me out. I wished I was one of them. I can't wait to get home and tell everyone all the amazing stories. This whole experience has changed my life. There is so much to tell and I have no time while I'm here. Cheers to all of you and I can't wait to blog and catch up on your blogs. Talk to you whenever I can. ;) -
PAPERBACKWRITER said on Dec 30, 2008....
Wishing you all the best for the New Year, SlickNick!
I will be watching out for your blogs
<3
paper ~
-
SlickNick said on Jan 03, 2009....
Well I didn't get PSD because of the holidays. I am expecting to get it on Monday but there is no gurantee that I will. The best I could hope for is PSD on Monday and Departure back home on Wednesday. I am praying to leave Wednesday. So far it has already been 16 days in Seps which feels like an eternity. There are hardly anyone left that was here when I orginally got here. There are a lot of new people and they are breaking all the rules and of course I'm being punished for them as usual. I can't wait to get the heck outta here. Eww the keyboard I'm using has a sticky period key. Can't wait to get home to my clean working computer. Oh well.. -
SlickNick said on Jan 06, 2009....
Finally I hit the PSD list so they are getting travel arrangements made. So now it's going to be Thursday, Friday, or sometime early next week. I'm praying for Thursday. I'll keep you all posted. -
SlickNick said on Jan 11, 2009....
I'm back!!! I missed you all and hope to catch up with you all soon. I gotta do a bunch of stuff to get settled first but I'm home!!! Thanks for keeping my spirits up all! You guys are great! I'll talk to you all soon. -
fragglesrock said on Jan 11, 2009....
hey nick!!! so awesome to have you back :) please catch us up soon as you can!!