So my son is off to boot camp to become a Marine. What a fascinating 6 months it has been.

Before Nikita, 19 tears old, first walked into the recruitment office, he had an aimless life. He was adopted after being severely physically abused as a child, with physical scars and very obviously a few psychic ones as well. He's ADHD, has not been able to hold a job, and has totaled two cars. He future had become a huge concern to his mother and I. And suddenly he was talking about enlisting.

I was worried the service would destroy him once and for all. Thankfully, I seemed to have been wrong. It seems he has embraced the opportunity to turn things around, but it wasn't an easy thing for him at first. He was overweight and needed to get in better shape in the few months before he left. He complained that working out to get in shape was overbearing. I harped on him that he there twice a day just to get over the hump. I had been losing weight and bicycling to get in better shape myself, and I began jogging with him as it as difficult for him to do this on his own. This was tough being 61 years old and eventually I had to stop because the tendon in my ankle got stiff, but not before the transformation had begun. It also helped that his new step dad was a runner and had been giving him advice.

And it's not only been the physical transformation. He has become an energetic and appreciative young man. He recently had thanked me for the harping I gave him earlier about getting in shape. And a few weeks ago, he was given the opportunity to leave earlier than scheduled because another recruit had lost a family member. Nikita was enthusiastic and ready to go.

I can't describe how proud of him I am. Of course, I'm concerned as any parent might be about a son or daughter entering the military service, but the change it has made in him has been incredible. My only concern now is that he isn't sent down to waste away at the Mexican border. But that's another debate.

I salute you Nikita!