The night before, we had talked about all of the "what-ifs." What if he didn't get Marines? What if he got ground over pilot? What if he did get pilot? All were viable questions to think about, but I continued to reassure him that he would get Marines because he is pretty much awesome (I'm pretty sure I boost his ego wayyyyy too much haha) and he would be a great leader and the military would be stupid NOT to give him what he wanted. He was the one being a little nervous (although he'll never admit it) and I was the one who was calm and confident.
Well, come Wednesday morning, I started FREAKING out! They weren't supposed to find out until 12:50 that day, and let me tell you, it was the longest morning ever! I woke up and text him telling him good luck and he better let me know ASAP and not play tricks (he likes to tell me he didn't get something just to mess with me sometimes) and that I was proud of him no matter what.
I hadn't heard anything from him all morning, but every time my phone vibrated, my heart started racing a mile a minute! I was talking to Michelle (another firstie girlfriend from Ohio) and we were both getting so nervous! Finally we stopped texting because it was getting so close to 1 that we knew we'd be getting news any time!
I had class all day (from 11 am until 6 pm), but my phone was in my lap all morning. Come 1 o'clock however, I had my water aerobics class and I was set on not going in to the pool until I knew. As I paced around in my bathing suit in the locker room, a mutual friend (Kristina) of mine and Ben's was waiting with my phone. I told her that if I got a text from Ben, she had to tell me what it said because I was getting so anxious and nervous! Finally I get a text message that says "Marines Pilot!" and that's all he said...ALL DAY!
I'm so proud of him that he got what he wanted and all of his hard work is starting to pay off!
So now I'm sure what some of you may be asking "so what does that mean for him for the future?" and if you're not, well then you don't need to keep reading, however, if you are curious, this is for you ;)
After commissioning in May, Ben will head to TBS (The Basic School) in Quantico, VA for six months of strictly Marines training. Upon graduating from there, as long as he keeps his flight contract, he'll be heading to Pensacola, FL for two years of flight school! However, he does have the option, that if he wants to, he can drop his flight contract and go ground (infantry or artillery) and if that happened, he would have three months of training specifically for either and then would be stationed somewhere.
It was a very exciting experience and I wish I could have been there to see him getting his head shaved (it's tradition for all the Marines to shave their heads), however, I get to sit on the sidelines at home and just be an oober proud girlfriend! :)
 |
| Ben and some Marine friends! |
 |
| Roommates: Ryan (Navy Pilot), Ben (USMC Pilot) and Lee (Navy Pilot) |
