View Full Version : Pvt Garrison reporting as ordered.
Not alot of time, gotta go ice my foot (I'll get to that later)
Graduated platoon 2074 2nd Bn G Co MCRD PI about 12 hours ago.
I was the scribe in receiving, guide in 1st phase, and 4th squad leader in 2nd and 3rd (till graduation).
I'm not trying to BS anyone, everyone does, but I had an especially tough time at recruit training, things didn't want to go my way, between pneumonia, an insanely bad foot injury, and sheer bad luck.
On the range, on pre-qual I shot a 231, I just killed it, easy stuff. But then I got sick that night. The next day I was feeling like CRAP. My senior saw that I wasn't up to par, I lied said I was fine, he said you know, if you're sick, go to sick call, I know you can shoot, just make it up. "No sir, this recruit is fine sir"
Go figure, qual day its Raining out the ASS, I'm shivering with a fever, I can barely hold the rifle steady, and I shoot a 219. How ridiculous. One point from expert, that was like my lifelong goal, and I missed it by a point. The worst part? All my problems were at the 200. 300 slow fire I shot all 5s, 300 rapid I shot a possible (50/50), 500 I shot 48/50. Goes to show you how bad I did at the 200...the easiest range! Bullcrap!
But anyways, on to my next biggest problem, and a question I have. My foot, was MESSED UP, during boot camp. My foot was about 9" wide at one point from swelling, my ankle folded over my foot from the excess swelling skin. Just because I dont want to put my foot in my mouth in case it gets more serious involving medical or anything, Im not going to go into alot of details, but basically my foot was so serious I almost did not graduate because medical was going to put me in Basic Marine Platoon because my foot was THAT bad, luckily at my follow up (on family day) the swelling went down due to the compression sleeve I was wearing. In case you're wondering, it was diagnosed as an ankle sprain....a very bad one....and its sprained in two spots, on the top of my foot and the side of my foot.
Anyways, I can't run, I can barely walk, I can't march, its BAD. If I show up to SOI like this, what happens? Should I go to the hospital during my boot leave? I'd hate to waste leave time like that but I want to get healed. My senior talked to me about possibly getting a medical discharge and getting benefits.
EFFFF THAT. I want to be a Marine. I want to fight! I didn't endure 13 weeks of pain and hell and separation from everything that I loved just to get a check mailed to me every month. "We fight our country's battles" we don't "collect welfare". Anyways, I want to do anything I can do be in tip top shape when I get to SOI.
That also explains why I don't have a PFC stripe...all the squad leaders were promoted except 2, me, because I ran a TWO TWENTY FOUR (224) PFT and it was not a 1st class (the only reason it wasn't a 1st class was because I limped the whole way and ran a 25+ minute 3 mile run time), so the company commander didn't approve the meritorious PFC, and another squad leader because he unk'd on the range.
I gotta go though, here's some eye candy.
My favorite drill instructor, SSgt Zieba, he was awesome. Towards the end we really began to understand he really cared about us and he really gave us the tools we needed to survive in Iraq. It was a weird feeling.
http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/8525/ziebaqi3.jpg
Best friends, left to right, PFC Auth, Pvt Gauthier, Pvt Garrison, PFC Gauthier
http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/8673/141zi0.jpg
Me and SDI GySgt Gresham (Purple heart...he's an awesome grunt)
http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/6485/2135123zl9.jpg
I have more pics, but no time now. Enjoy. Semper fi Marines! Thanks for the moto, and Accord....I will get you. I swear!
Tomorrow I'll have pics of me in blues....my EARNED, with blood sweat and (yes, really) tears dress blues. I haven't put my ribbon and badge on 'em yet. But they're all tailored and good to go
BY THE WAY, the Barracks cover is the most uncomfortable thing I've ever worn. I'm glad I spent the $45 on a nice frame at Clothing on family day for the dress blue uniform cover. I may have to do the same for the service uniform cover. I love the **** cover.
HurricaneRJ
09-07-07, 11:29 PM
Great pics, and yeah that **** sucks man. Hopefully everything turns out in your favor. I wish you the best.
Norkalkilla
09-07-07, 11:34 PM
Congradulations and good job.
KRenee87
09-07-07, 11:39 PM
Congratulations! Wow.
Your tough time at P.I. will help this poolee out when she feels like complaining about something as small as tight muscles. Damn.
Welcome back and stay off that foot!
JordanB
09-07-07, 11:47 PM
hey whatever happened with Ssgt Zieba? I heard they were trying to discharge him as a di or something, but from what I can gather hes a pretty good to go Marine.
so what did hapen with that picture?
Haffner
09-07-07, 11:54 PM
Hey, Achped, you're freakin' motivating, you understand that?
Don't worry about the PFT -- remember, every 6 months you'll run one for score.
And your rifle qual -- you'll get to do it once a year, and no matter what at least once before you pick up Cpl (requirement). Marines 99% of the time ALWAYS shoot better when they requal (usually by a good amount of points -- not too mention if fever is what got in the way, then hell, you'll shoot hot as hell).
If you show up to SOI and can't train due to the foot, that's fine; **** happens, afterall. You'll be put in a platoon accordingly.
If it's a problem that will get better, then things will shape up, in tmie. I highly doubt they'd let you graduate if they thought this was a medical problem that would mess you up for your entire career. I could be wrong, of course, but that's not how bootcamp usually works. In the fleet, Marines can get by by getting put on limited duty (basically ALWAYS pt'ing on your own) once they've been in a while -- that way they don't get a med. discharge and can re-enlist --- but as far as bootcamp goes, since it's the very bottom level of your career (so to speak) they get rid of problems like that ASAP.
All in all to recap: you'll whoop ass on your next PFT (just work on them pullups, that's the moneymaker!) and your rifle qual. Also, your foot will get better if you allow it time to recover. Go see a pediatrist (foot doctor).
Andddddddddd, congratulations, Marine.
Tips: Stop being so damn tall. I don't know who gave you permission to be that tall.
SlingerDun
09-08-07, 12:41 AM
Aces Marinehttp://www.leatherneck.com/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif Those covers look sharp but i like the old envelope shaped "**** cutter" it was highly portable, low maintenance and you could tuck it into your web belt and forget about it when you were indoors, like in somebodys Cantina gettin drunk and silly.
Errr that one photo with the twins but without the Marine on the left looks very familiar... i could have sworn you was wearing sergeants blues with no belt and packing less weight? maybe it was somebody else.
Take care of that foot your gonna need it, and if your toes ever start to get numb and dont wake up lower those boot blouses or stretch the elastic out. also ask your corpsman about diabetes.
--->Dave
SlingerDun
09-08-07, 01:03 AM
Oh, you can qualify expert next time right? in bootcamp i somehow managed to leave my spectacles in the squadbay on THEEE most important day for good vision. 1 or 2 points away from unq. The 500 meter line may as well been 5 miles. I had about 1 year to think about and tighten up my groups.
--->Dave
gonnabeinnbc
09-08-07, 01:05 AM
Archped, did they not teach you to wear your web belt pushed down to the bottom of your belt loops?
SlingerDun
09-08-07, 01:06 AM
Aces Marinehttp://www.leatherneck.com/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif Those covers look sharp but i like the old envelope shaped "**** cutter" it was highly portable, low maintenance and you could tuck it into your web belt and forget about it when you were indoors, like in somebodys Cantina gettin drunk and silly.
Errr that one photo with the twins but without the Marine on the left looks very familiar... i could have sworn you was wearing sergeants blues with no belt and packing less weight? maybe it was somebody else.
Take care of that foot your gonna need it, and if your toes ever start to get numb and dont wake up lower those boot blouses or stretch the elastic out. also ask your corpsman about diabetes.
--->Dave
Hey, Achped, you're freakin' motivating, you understand that?
Don't worry about the PFT -- remember, every 6 months you'll run one for score.
And your rifle qual -- you'll get to do it once a year, and no matter what at least once before you pick up Cpl (requirement). Marines 99% of the time ALWAYS shoot better when they requal (usually by a good amount of points -- not too mention if fever is what got in the way, then hell, you'll shoot hot as hell).
If you show up to SOI and can't train due to the foot, that's fine; **** happens, afterall. You'll be put in a platoon accordingly.
If it's a problem that will get better, then things will shape up, in tmie. I highly doubt they'd let you graduate if they thought this was a medical problem that would mess you up for your entire career. I could be wrong, of course, but that's not how bootcamp usually works. In the fleet, Marines can get by by getting put on limited duty (basically ALWAYS pt'ing on your own) once they've been in a while -- that way they don't get a med. discharge and can re-enlist --- but as far as bootcamp goes, since it's the very bottom level of your career (so to speak) they get rid of problems like that ASAP.
All in all to recap: you'll whoop ass on your next PFT (just work on them pullups, that's the moneymaker!) and your rifle qual. Also, your foot will get better if you allow it time to recover. Go see a pediatrist (foot doctor).
Andddddddddd, congratulations, Marine.
Tips: Stop being so damn tall. I don't know who gave you permission to be that tall.
Haha, with the barracks cover I'm like 6'10. Its ridiculous. Thanks alot for the info, yeah, I think its just like that because I've been training for a while with a sprained ankle and its never really had time to rest, I don't think its something serious. I mean, even on Marine week after the crucible before I went to medical, it was still go go go, graduation practice was "Oh, so now we wanna forget how to drill (We won final drill by the way), run that way!" and I'd have to hobble.
Yeah, my SDI took me to the bases' "hospital" like the second I fired my 10th round on the 500 yard line, I was shaking like Janet Reno (*****) after every round of firing I'd put my gore-tex on but I didn't want to shoot with it on because it'd mess up my sight alignment.
Should I see a podiatrist on my boot leave or what? I don't want to waste leave time if there's not much he can do in 10 days, but at the same time I want to get better. I WANT to kick ass at SOI. It just sucks going from the guide of your platoon, and letting an injury bring you all the way back to 2nd family 3rd squad on graduation day because your limp is so bad. (Which, I have a video of my graduation, I'll upload it, my parents said they coudln't see me limping so thats good)
Archped, did they not teach you to wear your web belt pushed down to the bottom of your belt loops?
No, as a matter of fact I've never heard that, we were told to align the top of the belt with the top of the trousers, but I'd been up and moving around and stuff...not to mention, before graduation our DI had us doing up-downs in our charlies..."OH, YOU WANNA BE NASTY AND DISGUSTING? *CLAP CLAP*" So if they had been good to go, they would have been messed up anyways.
If that's the proper way to wear the web belt, then I'll definitely make sure its like that next time.
Covey_Rider
09-08-07, 07:36 AM
Hey bro welcome back. Congratulations on graduating as squad leader. Those top positions are not easy. I loved it though because it was more of a challenge. The fact that they kept you as squad leader even after you jacked up your ankle says a lot about your character. It means that your SDI saw your leadership skills mentally and that you wanted to keep that spot. That's fine and dandy if you can PT forever and be perfect at shooting etc...but the essence of the Corps is being able to lead from your lowest ranks...and obviously you could lead since you weren't booted out of your position.
Can't wait to hear about the consequences of the picture hahaha. We all had some laughs while you were in boot lol.
As far as your foot is concerned...you've got to let it heal. The only one that's going to truly take care or you is YOU. You can't for somebody to tell you that you're ankle is jacked up when you know it is. Go see a doc and have it checked out before you go to SOI. Take care of yourself.
Semper Fi
Marine Kane
09-08-07, 07:55 AM
Bah! You got to graduate outdoors. Lucky.
Congrats, Marine. Did you happen to have a recruit Willis in your platoon who was dropped?
Justin493
09-08-07, 08:18 AM
Welcome back Marine.
yellowwing
09-08-07, 09:02 AM
Congratulations Marine!
"Pvt. Garrison is silly and ignorant, but he's got guts. And Guts is enough!" Oohh-rah
Great pictures. It's good to see the Combat Veterans training you. You'll see them again out in the Fleet eventually. The Corps is very few. Your character is already known.
One thing though, didja' cut your web belt a little too short? ;)
Semper Fidelis :usmc:
2-4" passed the buckle, I'm at 2 1/8" :) Yes, a little close but it is within regs!
As for Accord's picture, once my membership is upgraded to Marine and I can post the "whole" story, I will. I don't want to do it in the poolee hall. (Its not that bad really, but I'd like to keep it among the Marines)
I also have good news, I saw my recruiter today, she asked why there were no PFC chevrons on my blues, I explained to her what I explained to you all and she told me she gave me a referral that I had helped pass the ASVAB while I was in recruit training. I get the paperwork monday.
PFC* Garrison
Cwalling
09-08-07, 10:57 AM
congratulations man,from the sounds of it..you really earned it! hope the foot gets better before SOI,enjoy your leave!
rvillac2
09-08-07, 12:02 PM
Welcome Back, Matt.
Remember that you're a Marine, now. All your medical stuff is covered through the Corps. You should only hit the hospital or doctor locally if you have an emergency. Otherwise you'll pay for it yourself unless you're still under mommy's coverage. ha ha ha.
Sounds like all you need is solid rest on that foot. Rest it until you report to SOI. If necessary, get to sick call. Take care of it so that it is not permanently disabling. However, don't ever let them talk you into a medical discharge. Make them kick your ass out!
Glad to see you back on the forums. And we can't wait to be debriefed.
Semper Fi!
Master Sephiroth
09-08-07, 12:18 PM
Congratulations, Marine! Hope you heal soon
Marine84
09-08-07, 01:53 PM
Congratulations Little Brother! Enjoy your leave but, if I were you, go to the closest base and hit medical. Better to be safe than sorry - doesn't matter what branch it is - take your orders with you and get a temp pass to get on base. It may not be anything to worry about but.....................
And nice pics too................you look way different than what you did in the pics we saw of you before you left - you stand a little taller.
LCpl,everyone, from my mom to neighbors is askingme if I grew....I dont. I just stand up straight.
http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/9130/picng4.jpg
As you can see, I'm in the middle of the platoon, not the 4th squad leader, the 4th squad Marine in the 2nd family is shorter than I am but still in 4th squad, the reason for that was just incase I began to limp (Cuz I was limping on the march to the parade deck from the squad bay....but I found out it was because my shoe was untied. Anyways...it was just in case.)
Zulu 36
09-08-07, 06:00 PM
Congrats Marine!!!
When are you to change that avatar? Don't wait for PFC. Do it now, change it to PFC after you make it.
And I too can't wait to hear the tale of Accord's little joke.
Cheap advice: Rest that foot. Go see a military doc like Marine 84 suggested if one is nearby (should be if you're in St Pete). Otherwise, ice, compression, elevate. Once the swelling has started to go down, substitute heat for the ice.
You gutted it out to graduate a Marine. Now you should take some time to heal. You might be held at SOI to heal, but that is better than the alternative.
tohegal
09-08-07, 11:13 PM
Congratulations on your Graduation!
I agree...you need to get off of the ankle for as long as you possibly can. Totally off and immobile. If it hasn't had a chance to heal, you risk permanent pain and problems. Seriously!!
If it is still swollen, R.I C.E. should help too. Rest (key!), Ice--15 on 15 off, compression (like you wore already) and elevation. I'm sure you know that...but some may not know what that stands for....
You probably also should have an MRI of the ankle...I'm sure they did x-rays...but sometimes if the swelling is so bad, they can't see hairline fractures on x-ray. Have you had an MRI? Nothing is 100%, but MRI is good at diagnosing things that the x-rays just can't see.
I fell on some coffee spilled on the grocery store floor in April...and landed on my wrist. I am in pain right now---5 months after the fall--- because I thought "oh, it's just a sprain, it will heal...I'm sure if it was broken, I would know it" That is NOT the case. Immobility is key to proper healing of a severe sprain. I am learning that the hard way...not as bad as what you had to endure...did you show your horribly swollen foot to your DI?
My MRI showed severe degeneration of the joint in my wrist..and a tear in a tendon. In other words, it didn't heal properly and I will have problems for the rest of my life now. All from some stupid coffee and me in my flip flops!
The wrist and the ankle have so many little bones and so many nerves, tendons, and joints...that it is extremely important to take care of injuries to those locations.
Just my 2 cents for what its worth. *Disclaimer* I am not a medical doctor, but my husband is....does that qualify me to add my 2 cents??!!
;)
Seriously though...best of luck to you in these next few weeks. REST!!! Off your foot!! Can I stress that enough?!
Amy
I graduated boot with Indian Company on 27 July with a broken foot. I got it diagnosed at the local AFB the day after I got home from the Island, and arrived at Camp Geiger in a cast and on crutches. I was put in MRP and am currently home on con. leave. As soon as I'm all healed up I'll be back in training. Don't worry about your ankle. They're going to take care of you when you get down there.
Here...all mine....the ones I earned.
http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/6197/mycorpsts5.jpg
Luke, how long have you been on leave for? Still on crutches?
Integrity57
09-09-07, 01:22 PM
Congratulations Matt, you look good in those blues man. Take it easy on that foot, Motrin or Ibuprofin helps with the swelling and of course ice packs and heating pads help too. Definetly take some time to see a doctor though, my best friend had to when he got home from SD because he had pneumonia for almost a month during Boot and besides, you're going to need that foot in SOI, unless they're renting out those Rascal scooters, then you could mount your rifle to the front of it lol.
Good news everyone, the foot is healing, the limp has stopped completely, now I'm just working on actually being able to run and bend it fully in every direction. I'm not even in pain unless I'm trying to stretch it or something. Its still swollen, but not very bad.
davblay
09-09-07, 11:46 PM
Were you one of the three Marines on crutches on Family day? Sitting on the bleachers?
No Corporal, I was only on crutches one day of training, the day before family day, when I had bed rest. Family day is when I was brought back to "full duty".
Were you at graduation? To see Stott??
Nathan Benton
09-10-07, 12:59 AM
yeah Gysgt. Gresham is like a father to me. Heres a photo from family. I also graduated from Plt. 2074.
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb84/SemperNat3/SANY0467.jpg
BENTON! What's up man???
"I guess your special powers worked after all" -Sgt. Robinson
That's awesome you're on leatherneck. Keep in touch brother.
Nathan Benton
09-10-07, 08:04 AM
BENTON! What's up man???
"I guess your special powers worked after all" -Sgt. Robinson
That's awesome you're on leatherneck. Keep in touch brother.
yeah its me i just decided to register and write.
davblay
09-10-07, 09:44 AM
No Corporal, I was only on crutches one day of training, the day before family day, when I had bed rest. Family day is when I was brought back to "full duty".
Were you at graduation? To see Stott??
Nope, his mom told me about it. I was in Destin, Fla, didn't get home til yesterday. Glad to hear your foot is healing, just take it easy and let it heal up good.
Semper Fi Marine
RuffNight2007
09-11-07, 04:09 PM
Jesus Garrison, might as well post your life story on here also. :nerd:
How's the 10 days leave? I'm enjoying mine! Best 10 days of my life =D
How's the ankle?
My family said the same thing. They think I grew taller, but I'm the same height, I just don't slouch. :bunny:
Great pictures. It's good to see the Combat Veterans training you. You'll see them again out in the Fleet eventually.Ain't that the truth. One of my DI's is now my Platoon Sergeant here in the fleet. It's a small Corps.
As for Accord's picture, once my membership is upgraded to Marine and I can post the "whole" story, I will. I don't want to do it in the poolee hall. (Its not that bad really, but I'd like to keep it among the Marines)
Don't post it anywhere. Feel free to tell people you and your platoon got messed up or send a select few Marines on here that you know a PM with details, but under no circumstance should you ever put in writing specifically what happened until the Marines who trained you have either EAS'ed or retired. What happens in the squad bay stays in the squad bay between you, your Drill Instructors, and the handful of recruits turned Marines who were there being trained - nobody else, if it weren't like that we wouldn't have a Corps.
You told me what happened, and that is something you should NEVER post anywhere, it doesn't matter if only Marines will be able to read it because for all you know your series commander could be on these boards. Don't post it, even if it is a Marine-only forum.
Welcome to the worlds most exclusive gun club.
Semper Fi, brother.
davblay
09-11-07, 10:55 PM
Don't post it anywhere. Feel free to tell people you and your platoon got messed up or send a select few Marines on here that you know a PM with details, but under no circumstance should you ever put in writing specifically what happened until the Marines who trained you have either EAS'ed or retired. What happens in the squad bay stays in the squad bay between you, your Drill Instructors, and the handful of recruits turned Marines who were there being trained - nobody else, if it weren't like that we wouldn't have a Corps.
You told me what happened, and that is something you should NEVER post anywhere, it doesn't matter if only Marines will be able to read it because for all you know your series commander could be on these boards. Don't post it, even if it is a Marine-only forum.
WTF? :confused:
You told me what happened, and that is something you should NEVER post anywhere, it doesn't matter if only Marines will be able to read it because for all you know your series commander could be on these boards. Don't post it, even if it is a Marine-only forum.
Maybe I'll tell them the Marine that did it was a certain Lance Criminal...not my drill instructor. It was your fault after all ;)
rvillac2
09-12-07, 10:54 AM
Don't post it anywhere. Feel free to tell people you and your platoon got messed up or send a select few Marines on here that you know a PM with details, but under no circumstance should you ever put in writing specifically what happened until the Marines who trained you have either EAS'ed or retired. What happens in the squad bay stays in the squad bay between you, your Drill Instructors, and the handful of recruits turned Marines who were there being trained - nobody else, if it weren't like that we wouldn't have a Corps.
You told me what happened, and that is something you should NEVER post anywhere, it doesn't matter if only Marines will be able to read it because for all you know your series commander could be on these boards. Don't post it, even if it is a Marine-only forum.
You guys are killing me with the mystery but Accord is right. This is a sea story and should only be told over drinks.
Maybe I'll tell them the Marine that did it was a certain Lance Criminal...not my drill instructor. It was your fault after all ;)
I was just the messanger :D.
rvillac2
09-12-07, 12:18 PM
I was just the messanger :D.
More like you were the Bravo Foxtrot!
<img src="http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/5899/meyd3.jpg">
Love that uniform....
yellowwing
09-12-07, 07:50 PM
Now that gig line looks sat! :thumbup:
Getting a straight gig line is easy when you haven't just finished playing games with your kill hat. :)
yellowwing
09-12-07, 08:36 PM
Getting a straight gig line is easy when you haven't just finished playing games with your kill hat. :)
Bah! Excuses! ;)
rvillac2
09-12-07, 09:19 PM
Not complete without the bloodstripe. ; )
Kildars
09-13-07, 08:39 PM
Bah, PM me what happened :( I've been waiting a long time for it haha.
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