How to Fail Boot Camp...

[teddyn]

Hi everyone!
I figured that this question should have its own topic (seperate from the college/Marines one I started)

Basically, can anyone remember people from basic training that failed and were sent home? Why did it happen? :(

I'm pretty anxious about the thought of being sent home; obviously this isn't a reason not to enlist, but the more I know about it the less likely it is to happen to me!

Eagerly awaiting your replies :nerd:

:D

[CHUDOG]

We did have one maggot with us that failed boot camp.I don't even know why he even went.........he kept ****ing himself when the DI's got in his face.........:thumbdown

[GySgtRet]

If you sail along while at Recruit Training you will fail. If you are able to take orders you will fail. If you let your fellow recruits down too many times you will fail. It is all on you. The Drill Instructors give every recruit what they need to suceed. All you have to do is do it. That is a plain as I can puit it. A word or two of advice DO NOT THINK...!!! DO NOT TAKE IT PERSONAL...!!! DO NOT LOOK AROUND LIKE YOU ARE OUT FOR A STROLL...!!! DO SOUND OFF WHEN YOU ARE ASKED SOMETHING...!!!
THE FIRST WORD OUT OF YOUR MOUTH IS SIR...!!! THE LAST WORD OUT OF YOUR MOUTH IS SIR...!!!

I hope that I cleared things up for you...???

[roknroll]

My recruiter told me all kinds of reasons why people fail boot camp. He said that some of them fail because they become suicidal(most likely had mental problems to start with). Some recruits failed right off the bat because they failed a drug test. There's a whole slew of reasons why people quit. My recruiter also told me that EVERYONE considers quitting at one point or another...key word...CONSIDERS...I read somewhere that only about 10% of male recruits fail out. It's about double that for female recruits. It's pretty much a matter of choice if you want to suceed in boot camp or not. Even if you get injured(as long as it's not critical), you have the choice to stay or go home. Even though the DIs are total dicks, they are actually pulling for you to succeed. I'd also recommend going into DEP for a few months before you go to bootcamp. Most likely your recruiter will have a program for the DEPers to go through, to get them a little prepared for what it's going to be like. You'll get use to them yelling at you, you'll learn some drill, work out....it's gonna be a lot harder in bootcamp if you go in completely out of shape, and also clueless to what it's like to have a DI screaming at you. Just my .02

[roknroll]

And another thing my recruiter said...he said pretty much everyone has a breaking point in boot camp. A lot of recruits at some point break down in tears...It's not a sign of weakness to cry at those breaking points, because it is a human emotion. And to deny a human emotion is like denying who you are. Anyways, instead of focusing on all of the ways you could fail out, start thinking about all the reason why you WOULDN'T want to fail.

[Echo_Four_Bravo]

My platoon started with about 70 people, we graduated 27, and 8 or 9 of those didn't start in our platoon (myself included). There are a host of reasons why people don't make it.

Rocknroll, I was injured pretty badly in boot camp, even got to spend some nights in a hospital. I was never given a choice, I would recover, so I was staying. Plenty of other people in the Medical Rehabilitation Platoon were being sent home, even though they wanted to stay. It was decided that their injuries would take too long to fully heal, or that they would never heal, and that it would be better to send them home. Don't assume things based on what you've heard or what you think.

[GySgtRet]

Your maturity is showing. You are dead on as far as your advice goes. I couldn't have put it better myself. Now for your personal experiences to catch up with what you just said. I am sure that you have the attitude that I had. You are good to go and I wish you well..

[roknroll]

Echo, do you ever actually read what I post? I said as long as it's not critical, you have a choice. If it's critical, you will be sent home. Try comprehending my post next time. Not trying to be a dick, but you are always breaking my balls. I've heard first hand stories of people being injured, and given the choice to either wait it out on base until you are healed, or go home and be healed. Either way, they had to start boot camp all over, or they could have quit all together. And why shouldn't I base what I know from what my recruiter told me? Who the **** are you to say that? My recruiter has been in the Marines for 10 years. I think he knows just as much, if not MORE than you.

[PFTstud]

Boot camp is easy according to the Sgt. in my recruiting station.

"Once you get used to being away from home you'll be fine."

Just remember the DI's are trying to mess with you. Don't be phased, just do what you do and time will finish the rest.

[rktect3j]

I'm having a hard time with that percentage echo.

People do fail, but they fail themselves for the most part. Be honest about your past with your recruiter. That will eleiminate a lot of those who are ousted. You can get a waiver for most anything, not all, but most anything. Drugs are a main reason a person gets dropped. DId something stupid and right about when first phase is ending the drug tests come back and all of a sudden your good buddy is gone.

[Echo_Four_Bravo]

I was trying to help you by explaining why you weren't correct. Now, I will just come out and say it. You are wrong, and you need to watch your attitude. You do not have a choice, the decision is made for you by those with the ability to make such decisions. There are exceptions, some people are given the choice. However, most are not. I have been there, you have not. You are also wrong in saying that a recruit must start training all over again if they are injured. You resume training where you left off, once you are healed and capable of training.

You have heard some things, and you are right in part. But, you posted and managed to pass on only partial truth. Then, when corrected, you decided to show that you're nothing more than a punk ass kid with a bad attitude. I hope you're proud of yourself, it takes a big man to talk when hidden behind a screen name on the internet.

[rktect3j]

Rocknroll I can guarantee you that echo is correct here. I got dropped after first phase for two sprained ankles. I spent 2 weeks in MRP and 2 weeks in PCP. I went to a new platoon after that which was just starting 2nd phase.

[Echo_Four_Bravo]

rktect, I have a problem with the percentage as well. In my initial platoon of about 71, they graduated in the 60s I believe. The platoon I graduated with had a rash of stress fractures, followed by several cases of celulitis (sp?). There were three or four sent to the Special Training Platoon during the last couple of weeks of training, two for fighting with one another (and getting cause by the series O) and one for refusing to follow the orders of a DI. My point, in some cases, people don't make it. There are a ton of reasons why. Some are injured, some just quit on themselves, some cannot meet the physical requirements, and some test positive for drugs on the initial screening. We ended up with a very small company, as all the platoon lost many recruits. Other companies would graduate huge platoons with few drops. Sadly, while in MRP I was able to see many companies graduate, some large and others small.

[Echo_Four_Bravo]

PFT, I wouldn't say it is easy, and just getting used to being away from home. It is getting used to the demands of the DIs and the way your life is at that time. By the end of boot camp, it doesn't seem that difficult for most recruits, even though the demands are greater than in the beginning. However, they don't call it "earning the title" for nothing.

[rktect3j]

rktect, I have a problem with the percentage as well. In my initial platoon of about 71, they graduated in the 60s I believe. The platoon I graduated with had a rash of stress fractures, followed by several cases of celulitis (sp?). There were three or four sent to the Special Training Platoon during the last couple of weeks of training, two for fighting with one another (and getting cause by the series O) and one for refusing to follow the orders of a DI. My point, in some cases, people don't make it. There are a ton of reasons why. Some are injured, some just quit on themselves, some cannot meet the physical requirements, and some test positive for drugs on the initial screening. We ended up with a very small company, as all the platoon lost many recruits. Other companies would graduate huge platoons with few drops. Sadly, while in MRP I was able to see many companies graduate, some large and others small.
This makes a bit more sense. I started in 3025 with about 70 recruits. I went to a new platoon 3037 that only had about 38 recruits. I think they just started smaller then my original platoon.

[Echo_Four_Bravo]

Like I said, I don't know how many the platoon I graduated with started with, I wasn't there. I was told it about about 70. Could have been 40 or 90, I simply don't know. I went there following the first phase PFT. (I left my original platoon because I decided falling from a cargo net, onto my hear would be a good idea. Turns out, I was wrong.)

[Bige1371]

Sorry Gunny but I think you typed to soon. As soon as you praise this little punk he turns around and shows his true colors once again. Disrespecting a Marine is not the way to earn respect around here ROCK. Echo is always one of the first to help someone out around here. So telling him he is a "dick" is not needed. Your recruiter may have been in for ten years. That is great I'm sure he is a great Marine. But you are not a Marine so hold your tongue until you have actually been there and done that. With your attitude towards others I hope when you do make it to the fleet you will get a Cpl that will teach you a lesson about respect. The reason he is always "breaking your balls" is because you don't know what you are talking about.

[roknroll]

Bige, when did I call echo a dick? Go back and read my post. Fact is, I DIDN'T call him a dick.

[Echo_Four_Bravo]

Who the **** are you to say that?
I believe that is the quote he is speaking about. He simply chose the wrong inappropriate word to assume you used.

Check your PM box, maybe that can help you out, and avoid your arguing with more Marines, which isn't what any of us want on this board.

[Bige1371]

Ok i misread that part. I can admit my mistake.

[roknroll]

echo, I sent you a reply. I'm not trying to argue with anyone, but I'm not gonna let someone misinterpret what I write either. Everyones right about me not having the actual life experience to comment on some things, but I don't think I was to far off the mark on most of my assumptions of what it takes to get through boot camp and succeed.

[outlaw3179]

we had guys pop and fail the whiz quiz, we had some guys who broke, a couple broke mentally, and one or two were sent packing for failure to adapt . Its just a variety of reasons. Fact is keep your nose clean, shut the f**K up , speak only when spoken to, bust your ass at all times, and youll be ok. also dont sweat the small stuff. Oh and another thing when you get to the fleet , try that **** about talking back to an NCO and see how many fun games you and your entire team can play. Remember this is not a democracy where you have the right to voice your opinion whenever you want . Your about to enter the Marine Corps not the girl scouts. Roger that?

[Echo_Four_Bravo]

Outlaw, we had an old Sgt (retread from an early age) that loved to say we were in the Marines to defend Democracy, not practice it.

[Marine84]

Yeah - WMs drop a lot - I saw some girls do some of the craziest trash trying to get sent home. They won't hold you if you don't want to be there and it AIN'T for a lot of people.

I got set back for running - they timed us on 1/2 mile, 1 mile and full mile and a 1/2 - I flunked the mile by a minute and got recycled. If they think you're worth the effort, they'll recycle, if not - they'll go ahead and send you home.

There are a lot of reasons why you could fail - you just have to push yourself harder to not.

[GySgtRet]

Marines what we have here are a lot of assumptions on this Poollee's part. It does appear that he has somewhat of an attitude granted. Attritions are based on all of the physical and of course we all know the MENTAL part, aka, head games, that are fun for some..?? Not for recruits. If there wern't a gage to go by then everybody would be a Marine. In my day we had pukes dropping for things like drug, mental problems, some even I admit I would not of placed in our beloved Marine Corps, because I would send trash to recruit training, because I would have to serve with them and so would you all. I forgot what part of the country he said he was from. Maybe he could go to San Diego or Parris Island to get a small fraction of the action he will be facing...???

When I went through in 73 I had stress fractures to both of my knees. The Navy docs didn't want to recycle me and neither did the Drill Instructors. The Navy docs wanted to discharge me. I told the Navy docs with all due respect NO SIR. We were at mess and maitenance at this point 3/4 of the way through. Not too much time left. I was given two choices either med-out or continue. Well, I did what was required of me with the fractures. I passed the PFT run 24:10, 75 situps, 18 pullups. The Drill Instructors will not give up on you if you don't give up on yourself if this is detected. Stand the F*&K BY. I didn't make honor man which was my top priority. I was the platoon guide and never lost it till my knees had swolen so badly that I could not walk without a limp. I was hiding my pain from the Drill Instructors. I thought well I will graduate but I will be a private, at least I will have earned the title Marine. Remember I said Drill Instructors don't give up. I made Pfc out of recruit training and I was not a contract Pfc. SO maybe we don't know what we are talking about who knows. All I know is this is my .50 worth and thats where I stand on the subject. Let this poollee run his suck he is entitled. His Recruiter is in charge of part of his destiny, he is in charge of the remainder.

Whew, sorry I was so winded.

[Deviousfred]

not everyone that fails does it by choice.

[maldridge1391]

i really do not know how anyone can "fail" boot camp, it really is not that difficult unless you are way out of shape and weak minded...its all a mind game.....

[His_angel]

Some is mental. Some is physical. Some parts are learned skills. I can't speak for how it is now as I graduated boot a long time ago.

Swim Quals. Had several unq out that were recycled. Heck. I had been on swim team for years and yet struggled to swim with full gear, boots, loaded pack, and rifle.

Rifle Range. I shot expert on pre-qual day. Didn't mean squat though when I shot unq on qual day. Ended up having to go back the next day. Got recycled. Had to do that darn swim qual stuff all over again too before my new platoon went to the rifle range.

Pulled an arm muscle on one of the courses. Got sent to medical. Wasn't about to be recycled yet again. So I toughed it out.

Boot camp isn't easy. Some get through it better than others for a variety of reasons. When I left for boot camp I had one person on Gods green Earth who thought I could make it. That was my recruiter. Ex-boyfriends, friends and everyone else told me I'd be back without graduating. Everyone has to find their own inspiration. Everyone has to dig deep inside themselves to find out if they belong and if they can do it.

Me? I believed in myself when no one else did. I believed in myself even once some of the D.I.'s seemingly didn't. Honestly. Their job is to weed out those who can't cut it. Not everyone can. Otherwise what would be the purpose?

I excelled in some area's and struggled in other area's. In the end it was well worth the fight and determination. I'm a Marine and no one can ever take that from me. I'm proud of the time I served, proud of the title and proud to know there are so many other great people out there that are also Marines.

Don't dwell on the ways you could get kicked out or recycled. Keep your mind on your goal. Keep your mind on your inspiration. Go in whole heartedly wanting it more than anything. Otherwise any thing big or small can kick your butt and get you sent packing.

[Marine84]

YAY! We got another Ordie in the house! You need to go visit the guys in the Duty Hut Angel - be prepared though, we get pretty rowdy in there sometimes.

IYAOYAS!

[PFTstud]

rktect, I have a problem with the percentage as well. In my initial platoon of about 71, they graduated in the 60s I believe. The platoon I graduated with had a rash of stress fractures, followed by several cases of celulitis (sp?). There were three or four sent to the Special Training Platoon during the last couple of weeks of training, two for fighting with one another (and getting cause by the series O) and one for refusing to follow the orders of a DI. My point, in some cases, people don't make it. There are a ton of reasons why. Some are injured, some just quit on themselves, some cannot meet the physical requirements, and some test positive for drugs on the initial screening. We ended up with a very small company, as all the platoon lost many recruits. Other companies would graduate huge platoons with few drops. Sadly, while in MRP I was able to see many companies graduate, some large and others small.

What is the special trining platoon?

:(

[Echo_Four_Bravo]

The Special Training Platoon is a part of the Special Training Company (which also has the Medical Rehabilitation Platoon and Physical Conditioning Platoon). It is where recruits that aren't properly motivated, have a bad attitude, do something stupid, or just really tick off a DI go. When I was in San Diego's MRP, there usually wasn't actually an STP. Rather, when someone got sent there, they would live and PT with the PCP people, and then get extra attention from the DI's.
The worst part, you stay for a week, or two, or a month (it is up to the "powers that be") and thus, your graduation date would be delayed by a few weeks. It isn't anything you couldn't handle, but it isn't where you want to end up either.