How to help partner cope with absence?

I am in the process of joining the United States Coast Guard; I will take the ASVAB next week and get started on my physical for entry after the test results are back. I will be leaving to Cape May, NJ for boot camp for 8 weeks; after which I will be assigned to my unit. I am EXTREMELY excited!!! I've wanted to be in the Coast Guard ever since I knew what it was. However, I do know my boyfriend is having some trouble with the fact that there will be a period of time where we won't see each other. He's afraid I will meet someone else while in the Coast Guard. Although I feel I've done a pretty good job of putting those fears at rest, I know he still has them. What is something I could do to help reassure him more, other than knowing in my heart, and physically showing him that I will come home to him? We both know it won't be easy, and challenges will come along. But I know, and have told him, that I'm not a girl who will leave someone just because I can. At the end of the day I'm coming home to someone I've been with for almost a year. If there is anyone with the same story out there I'd love the chance to talk to you and offer support as well! Thank you for reading.

~southern

Southern, bless your heart for joining the Coast Guard, I think that's incredibly brave and commendable. Although, I don't have direct experience with what you are going through, I believe that you are doing absolutely everything right by showing him through communication that he is the only one for you and that you will be back to him. As well, will there be consistent communication while you are away that you are aware of? If so, then I'd let him know that you will be contacting him every chance they allow. This will give him more reassurance. Time will also show him and help him along and through this process. When he sees how much of an effort you're making to contact him, then he will be more at ease.

Best of luck to you.

Thank you so much! I can't wait to have a career doing what I already love; protecting those I care about. I am hoping as the time for me to leave comes closer, I will find out more about communication and how often I will be able to contact him. I'm guessing it may only be once a week, or a week may come by where we won't be able to talk at all, but I am going to do everything I possibly can to make sure he hears from me on at least, a relatively consistent basis. As such, since I'm not sure when or if I'll be able to talk to him as much as we'd both like, I am waiting until it gets closer to time to go, hoping by then I'll know more, to tell him I'm going to do everything I can to keep in touch, both during the 8 weeks and after I'm assigned. On a personal note, I can't wait to show him how much he means to me, when I get off that plane for my visit and run straight to him! I've told him before when things of this nature have come up, I'm not leaving until he orders me away. He and I both are in this for the long haul, no matter what it takes or what we have to go through.

Southern, that is so incredibly beautiful, your words here show how much true love you have for this man and how solid your relationship is. I know that you will make it through this time so peacefully and happily. I am sure he is really saddened by the thought of not being with you for 8 weeks, though once this time ensues and you're communicating with him, and the time to seeing you gets closer and closer, he'll be more at ease with it.

I know that your love will conquer all. Please keep in touch and let me know how you're doing. Wishing you all of the very best.

Hi southern,

Thank you for serving. I never thought much about the coast guard until 9/11. They were the first responders and did an awesome job.

I can tell you a bit about boot camp, I was in the navy. But, that was back in 1978. I'm sure things have changed but I don't know how much. You will always be able to send letters, email I don't know. I don't know what the rules are about cell phones.

One message for your boyfriend, receiving letters in boot camp is so important. Mail call was such a sad thing for me because I never had any letters.

Anyway, hope that was of some help. Again, than you for serving our country. I wish you all the best.

Hey Southern,
I was in your guy's boat back in 1994! Except I had only dated my sweetheart for 4 months. (We survived and have been happily married for 15 years!) I will be happy to talk to you. Just message me~ If I can help.