BREAKING NEWS

 We interrupt this vacation blog with breaking news for the Koele/Carroll family. Chase has joined the Navy!!!!

Chase and his recruiter

Chase called on Friday, October 25 to discuss his thinking about joining the Navy. He had mentioned it earlier in the summer but hadn't brought it up since. We spent an hour and a half discussing the pros and cons. He is planning to go to Nuclear School in South Carolina following bootcamp. He will have about a year and half of school then is hoping to work aboard an aircraft carrier. I think he would be a Machinist Mate Nuclear. At one point, I asked whether he was thinking about it or if he had called to tell me of his decision. He said that he had essentially made up his mind to do it.

On Saturday morning, he called to ask if we had any plans for the weekend because he was considering coming home. I assured him he could come home anytime. He arrived around 1:00 PM and discussed his decision with Kurt. He then shared that to align his bootcamp with his schooling, he might have to leave the following week; otherwise, he'd have to wait until the next year which he really didn't want to do. It seems that having made his decision, he's eager to go.

Home for just over 24 hours, we enjoyed a fun weekend together. Our weekend included a trip to Sioux Falls to see Grandma and Grandpa to fill them in on his plans, an excellent dinner at The Attic East with Grandma, games of Avengers Monopoly and Rummy (both of which he won), topped off with chili and pumpkin pie. He left on Sunday afternoon, anticipating his busy week ahead. He assured us he would keep us informed.

We got the call on Monday evening that he had met with his recruiter and he would be leaving for Recruit Training Command in Great Lake, IL on Wednesday. We decided that leaving quickly might be a good thing, don't have as long to be nervous, and he sounded quite nervous.

On Tuesday night, the recruits are required to stay at a hotel. He checked in but was then free to go out for dinner with his dad, Gina, Dave, Kellie, and Abbie. When I spoke to him on Tuesday evening, he sounded much more relaxed and excited than he had the previous night.

Wednesday morning they were picked up at 5:00 AM for MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station), where he had paperwork and then was sworn in before heading to the airport. He was able to invite two people to the swearing-in ceremony, and both his dad and Uncle Dave were able to attend. Thankfully, they sent me pictures and videos!

Received a few texts throughout the day. He said there were about 6 others with him and they were able to visit the Armed Forces lounge in the Minneapolis airport. He said there was all kinds of free food, drinks, and super nice people that showed them around. He said he was really happy with his decision and had already met some pretty cool people just in the group he was shipping out with. This was so good to hear!!

He had warned me that they will get one last phone call upon arrival in Great Lakes between the hours of 8pm and 5am. He said it would be a scripted call and he wouldn't be able to answer any questions. Of course upon answering I asked how things were going.... He basically said he had arrived safely at RTC Great Lakes, to expect a letter in two weeks, and the first phone call in three weeks. That was about it. It sounded quite chaotic in the background and I could hear someone yelling 30 seconds. I am sure the next few weeks and going to be tough but I am so excited for this opportunity for him.