“They Have a Script They Have to Read” — Mom Shares Voicemail From Son at Marine Boot Camp

A mother-of-six named Amber Lynn (@amber_sprinkle_kindness) on TikTok recently posted a video that hilariously captured the contrasting worlds of a loving mother and her son, a new Marine recruit. The clip, which has racked up over 1.4 million views, shows the voicemail exchange that occurred after her son arrived at Parris Island for boot camp.

Amber sweetly set up a custom voicemail message, anticipating her son's arrival call: “If this is my son calling to let me know he's arrived safely at boot camp, I want you to know I am so proud of you. Stay strong, stay safe. I love you and I will see you in a few months.”

However, her son's response was a stark, military-scripted rebuttal: “This is Recruit Walters. This recruit has arrived safe at Parris Island. Please do not send any food or bulky items in the mail. This recruit will contact you in seven to nine days by letter with a new address. Thank you for your support. Goodbye for now.”

The contrast between Amber's loving message and her son’s formal tone, reminiscent of a scene from A Few Good Men, quickly drew laughs and sympathy from viewers.

One TikTok user reassured Amber, “They have a script they have to read! Know he loves you.” Another shared, “Sobbing. My son is currently at Parris Island as well!! Stay strong, mama.”

For context, Parris Island in South Carolina is one of the main training sites for the U.S. Marine Corps. Established in 1915, it’s known for its rigorous 13-week program that transforms civilians into Marines.

Upon arrival, recruits make a scripted phone call to inform their families of their safe arrival, a tradition dating back to the mid-20th century. This initial call marks the beginning of their intense training, where communication is severely limited until they complete the “Crucible,” a grueling final exercise.

Amber’s video also touches on a larger issue facing the U.S. military: recruitment challenges. With only about 2 percent of the population meeting the stringent requirements for enlistment, the Navy and Marine Corps have been struggling to find suitable candidates.

This shortage is impacting operational readiness and prompting the services to focus on retaining current personnel and engaging communities to attract new recruits.

Despite these challenges, the courage and resilience of recruits like Amber’s son continue to shine through, reminding us of the dedication and sacrifices made by those preparing to serve.

No doubt Amber is incredibly proud of her son as he is truly The Few, The Proud. Because at a 2 percent acceptance rate, they truly are the few.

Amber and the TikTokers who responded to her post weren't alone in worrying about their children while they're at boot camp — the blog Wearable Gratitude penned "A Parent's Guide to Surviving Boot Camp and Military Life."

The blog's author wrote about just how difficult it can be to "let go" of the notion that they'll be there with their children, at all times, to care for them and help them navigate life's obstacles: "Our babies' lives are no longer ours to protect. For better or worse, they are now the property of the United States government."

She also provided an example for "civilian families" to understand what it's like sending your kid off to boot camp, likening it to sending them off to college: "I often explain it to civilian families like this; take college life's worry and separation anxiety, pour rocket fuel on it, light a match, and set it on fire. That's what it's like to send your child off to the military, especially during wartime."

As gut-wrenching as it can be to see your loved ones head off to boot camp, Today's Military says that these types of preparation procedures are necessary for ensuring folks are up to the task of being an effective member of the nation's war efforts.