Need Info about the PCP at PI

[davblay]

Any Drill Instructor or Marine that just lefy the Island, I need to know about the PCP program of today's Corps. I Have a friend, who's son just went to the Island. He failed the IST and he is in PCP. His Recruiter didn't help him prepare for this, he told him to play soccer or what ever and he'd be ready. He was only in DEP for three weeks! His mom is worried sick and I can't answer her questions. How long will he be there, etc.. Can anyone help me out? I con give more detais by PM to anyone that responds, Thanks.

[davblay]

On average, how long do they have to stay there? How often do they let them retry the IST? Can some one help me out? I know how it used to be in the FAT FARM, but today is different, I just don't have these answers and I can't find them on the net. Can someone give me a link that would help?

[benjaminbowens]

Well I know when I went thru boot camp 2 years ago, you had to pass the IST before you could start training. I wasn't part of it, but I had a friend who was in it, so he filled me in. I doubt it has changed since then....

[jetdoc]

I know this thread is a bit dated, so you probably already have found out your answer...but. They also used to call it "The Porky Pig Platoon", along with some other names.

The following is from, www.USMarines.com (http://www.USMarines.com) you're in for at least 21 days while in PCP....

"If you are unable to perform basic exercises, you may spend a significant amount of time in PCP (the Physical Conditioning Platoon). PCP is tough: PCP's objective is physical fitness, and that's what you'll be conentrating in while in the program. Individual remain in PCP until they can While it is normally a 21 day program, once you're in, you don't get out until you can do 3 pull ups, 40 sit ups in 2 minutes, and run 3 miles in 28:00 minutes".

[Bulkyker]

My first thoughts when I read this thread almost a month ago were that hopefully his recruiter had at least explained to him what the IST consisted of and didn't send him blindly into recruit training with no knowlege what so ever about what was going to be expected of him. I do not think his recruiter is wholly to blame because he was unable to pass the IST.

[Marine84]

Sorry Dave - didn't see this one before now...................it's probably the kid that you were telling us about graduating recently.

Anyway..............when one goes into PCP it's up to them how fast they get out. If I remember correctly PCP does PFTs once a week - them 2 weeks I was in it was allllllll I needed.

[davblay]

The Recruit just finished his third week of training, but he was in PCP for 12 days! BOB> his recruiter didn't prepare him before he shipped! I had a little talk with him, he's a young Sgt, first tour on recruiting, but he learned a valuable lesson. I stopped the Recruits' dad from contacting his Commander, propably saved his lazy azz! Like I said everything is cool now! The recruit is training and the recruiter was taught a lesson---NEVER ASSUME ANYTHING! :marine:

Thanks for the Belated information, Marines, I appreciate it very much!

Semper Fi!

[Bulkyker]

We were taught early on that every Marine is a recruiter. Pvt through Sgt Maj you are a spokesman for the Marines and should assist in recruiting endevours whenever possible.

Dave you were a Marine, so you were probably taught the same thing. Since every Marine is a recruiter and you had a hand in recruiting this lad what is your role in his failing to meet the minimum standards?

[davblay]

We were taught early on that every Marine is a recruiter. Pvt through Sgt Maj you are a spokesman for the Marines and should assist in recruiting endevours whenever possible.

Dave you were a Marine, so you were probably taught the same thing. Since every Marine is a recruiter and you had a hand in recruiting this lad what is your role in his failing to meet the minimum standards?
Sgt I found out he was gone the day after he left! I had nothing to do with his enlistment. I had no Idea about his situation until his MOM (my barber) called me when he was dropped to PCP! As I said I talked to the recruiter, he confirmed what happened! He assumed that this kid was ready because he played soccer in High school and such (key word "assumed"). I done my Duty by talking to him myself and not allowing the Father to call the Commander!

So-----NO SGT----I had nothing to do with this mess-----I helped straighten it out! It's fixed and over! Nothing else need be said! I can see where you would have thought I had something to do with this, but the last I had heard from him, was he was going into Air Force DEP earlier this spring! I reckon he changed his mind as a friend of his is in the Corps now!

FYI---I would have PM'd you about this SGT, and I am still as much a Marine as you are!

Semper Fi, my brother!

[Bulkyker]

I never meant to imply that you are not or were not a Marine. I would gladly stand right next to you against anyone that would imply you haven't earned the title. My beef was that you pretty much threw his recruiter under the bus... Later putting on your Army stripes and going down there to dress his recruiter down didn't really improve my opinion.

Boot camp is for boots .... not for mommy or daddy or recruiters or buddys. You're there and the teamwork developed Semper Fi is not because someone is holding your hand or calling their congressman or their buddy at the barbershop.