The 2LT: Most Definitely Not Alone

Despite being misunderstood by his parents, a 2LT finds family amid supporters.

I met a kid this weekend. A recent graduate of West Point, he's a 2LT who will deploy soon.
His very first. His very first everything.
He was on his way to his new post. Excited, but quiet and humble.
He's aware of the thoughts that people have about West Point graduates. I think he'll be one of the ones who will work to over come their assumptions by working hard.

Later, I found out that his parents are mystified over his decision to go to West Point and then have to serve. They're bugged because their other kid has chosen to get an advanced degree. What they assume is one day --after emerging with a pile of debt, the other kid will make a million bucks a year.
Maybe.
But the overwhelming chance is that their other kid will be average.
I mean, most people are. Average is not a bad thing to be in this crapshoot called life.
The other kid will struggle, as all people do, and they'll even have a few crappy jobs and toil in obscurity for a spell. The other kid will face their share of heart ache, confusion, disappointment, setbacks and sorrows... like everyone else.
But there's no guarantee to becoming rich.

On the other hand, their son is going to be taking part in something much bigger than himself. Less than 1% of the population volunteers to go on the path he has chosen. That makes him a special, and yeah, it might (as Mr. Mike Marine says), mean that he's "wired differently." He's a soldier, and he embodies the warrior ethos. What he will see will be life changing. He will take the good and the bad, and let's all decide we're going to help him through the bad.

I certainly hope his parents will turn around. I hope their last conversation with him won't be berating him for his decision. I hope they will accept that his life isn't not about matching their wishes and perceptions. It's all about his. And I hope if they have any scary thoughts --which all of us do, that they will work through them by meeting with other Blue Star families to send packages every week. There's much they can do: cruise the blogs, write, and even learn to use skype for the rare occasion he's able to get on.
I know if they do show up to a Blue Star gathering, it'll be like eating crow. But I know the families will help them.
And I hope they do all this.
Because they will never forgive themselves if they aren't a part of his life.
So I've decided. He's my kid now. After he deploys, he's going to get so many packages he won't know what hit. I'll keep it going even after The Hubs goes back, too. With any luck, they'll meet!