If Your Child is at Lackland BMT, Read This.

Ok, You knew that sooner or later your daughter or son was going to leave the nest, but so soon? For a BMT cadet’s parents, the challenge might be as hard as basic military training itself, only at a mental and spiritual level. We hope this post lets you ease into a mind set that is less scary and much more gratifying.

It's a different kind of challenge for a parent to adapt to the idea of their children leaving, probably harder for those who do not have a tradition of being in the armed forces, and as the hardships of the BMT’s extreme training process will only make a cadet stronger, wiser and more aware of their potential and capabilities, parents will come out of this with more wisdom, inner strength and faith in their children’s inner strength and wisdom. In today’s crazy world, this is quite rare. Check out the pride and sense of accomplishment these young cadets rightfully feel on BMT graduation day: 

Allowing yourself to appreciate the moment and let yourself feel rightfully proud of your loved one’s brave commitment, to savor the precious and noble intent expressed by a young man or woman in the context of being welcomed to an elite fighting force whom also share the same convictions, who strive to live their core values:  “The Air Force Core Values of Integrity First, Service Before Self and Excellence in All We Do, are not just a way to support our country and the U.S. Air Force, but more importantly a framework for approaching life and all of our different roles to be better men and women and support those we love and care about.(2)”

You have before you the opportunity to celebrate feeling proud about your boy or girl, be proud! Celebrate it!, You’ve helped form one of the few good people that understand the benefit and the sacrifice required to live in freedom. Feet on the ground, but heart and ideals in the sky... its quite appropriate they call it the Air Force. So be proud and not keep it to yourself. Let them know.  The real heroes are not the leaders history writers were paid to write about, the true benefactors of our cultural wealth and freedom is an anonymous silent group of well meaning generous do-gooders, who’s big hearts and gentle souls align with the cry for justice and freedom. You might make the mistake of thinking that a parent’s posture and attitude might seem of little importance to a young adult, but its all a big charade, in reality your children are extremely sensitive to how you view them and their self worth and self confidence are some of the most influenced aspects, being open and sincere about your trust in their instincts and ideas, in their capacity to react to challenges with agility and strategy will exponentially increase their own self worth and sense of confidence to confront reality and grow.