my son, newly minted marine as of 9/18 /09

[tom d. friedman]

yes, i'm bragging!! my son jordan, graduated u.s.m.c. boot camp at parris island yesterday. he's chiseled, honed, & broken of alot of bad habits!! my taxpayer bucks have never been more well spent & yours too, without sounding biased!! he will proceed w/ 30 days combat training, & then on to aircraft mechanic's school at pensacola for his career field. i would like him to get in on the new cutting edge stuff.... ov- 22 osprey, f-35, or uav's. what do you folks think?? OOH RAH!! TOM

[262crew]

Tom congratulations to your son! The Marines are great! I never served but I have many friends who have. Of all my friends who have served my two Marine buddy's are always the first to pick you up when you fall (literally and figuratively) or offer words of encouragement. I p!sses me off when anyone trash talks the Marines. "They are stupid" It's my estimation that the Marines get the most comprehensive training of all the services. Marines are the best! Again congratulations!!!!!

[Misterg97]

Congratulations Tom .... you sure sound like one proud Dad and you should be ... a tip of this old vet's hat to both you Jordan ... we all thank him for serving. ... and my toast as well

[Oscar Duck]

Semper Fi

Every young man should be encouraged to serve his country.

[tom d. friedman]

thanks guys for the kind congrats, & to hellcat for his kind p.m. the marines really broke this kid, & he's surpassed his old man too!! he iron's his uniform better than a dry cleaning company!! prior to the marines i couldn't get him to pick up an iron if i put a gun to his head!! i'm anxious to see what his assignment will be after aviation mechanic's school in pensacola. down the road, after he get's his feet wet , i'd like him to hook up with the osprey or f-35 programs. i will show him your messages while he is with me this short week. many thanks, tom

[marine air]

Congratulaions Tom! This is not the end but the starting point now. He will take about two years to adapt to the "Marine Corps" way of doing things.
Life in the Marines Corps doesn't get "easy" until you make Sergeant. If he works hard and gets some meritorius promotions he can make Sgt. in as little as 3 years. The Osprey and F-35 are awesome, and if he could get in a C-130 squadron, he would be very valuable someday in the civilian world.
He made it through boot camp. You did your job well as a dad. I'm thankful we have young men like your son taking up the call for service.
Sempr FI.,