Physical Condition Shipment

[ALaugisch]

Hello, Last year after doing my research over different branches of the military I decided to join the Marine corps.

I did not want to sit at a Desk all day with the Airforce..
I did not want to be at see with nothing but men for years at a time with the navy..
I did not.. well the Army is just a big joke.

Anywho, I signed my contact June 9th 2007 and my shipment is coming up close (June 9th 2008). Before I signed up I was 245 Pounds at 5'11 now I am 205. Hooray for me, but my run time and pullups have not increased what so ever. On a good day I can do one (1) thats right.. 1 pullup. My IST run time is 18:00. I know, Sad.

I know this forum is full of potential Marines asking the same question about there run time and weight, I've really gone out and studied as much as possible to prep myself mentally for the Marine corps. Problem is, Physically...

The one thing I am worried about the most is being kicked out during basic. I WILL not give up, but my physical condition only allows me to go so far.

The question I am trying to ask is, If I ship out to Basic and cannot meet the IST will I be put into PCP untill I can complete the PFT or is there a cutoff date for those who just cant hoof it?

The thought of having a Drill sergeant screaming at me and running all the time doesn't bother me so much as the fact that I may be dropped. The military is all I have going for me so I cannot afford it.

So, please. Can someone explain to me the process of PCP and how I might be able to increase my Runtime, Pullups and lose weight within the next 2 months?


Thank you.

[JSchramm08]

Congratulations on your decision to enlist in the USMC.

I might know the answer to your question. I believe if you are put into the PCP, you will be kept there until your meet the run time and the other requirements (I don't know if this is for the IST or the PFT). Your Drill Instructors will deem how long you need to be in the PCP. You could be there a week, or maybe several months. I have heard some Marines say that the Corps will do just about everything in its power to get you to graduate from Recruit Training. They won't kick you out for not being able to do the minimum, but you will be "recycled" into another platoon (delaying your graduation) or put into PCP, which will also delay your graduation.

In terms of pullups, I was in a similar boat not long ago. I recommend doing a lot of elevated pushups every single morning and night. By elevated I mean put your feet on a chair, so a foot or so off the ground, with your hands on the ground. Do as many as you can, every morning when you wake up and every night before you go to bed. I tend to do sets of 20, till I get to 100 or more pushups total. Break them down however you want, but bear in mind your goal is muscle fatigue.

Seeing as you still have a few months to leave, you aren't actually in such a bad spot. If you have access to a Gym nearby, I definitely recommend buying a membership for the next couple months and lifting every other day. Lat-pulldowns will help a lot with pullups. As will any work concerning your triceps and biceps.

I don't want to mislead you on anything concerning PCP, considering I am not yet a Marine. If any Marines would like to correct me, I would appreciate it (as would ALaughisch, I'm sure).

Good luck.

[Brandon1]

Your run time can be cut down but just running. Your pull ups can be increased by doing pull ups. Plenty of topics on how to better those around here. Next, you cant bad mouth other services here, your still just a Poolee. I dont know what you've read but you cant ready yourself mentally for bootcamp...It's impossible, and plenty of Marines here will tell you that. It's Drill Instructor, not Drill Sergeant. Marines, Marine Corps, are always capitalized. It's BOOT CAMP, not "Basic" there is nothing basic about Marine Corps Boot Camp. After all that, atleast you filled out your profile :)
http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29048

[HABU]

run and hump the hills around you... build up your core strength. get some *ss. i was 165 dripping wet when i went to boot and 6 foot tall. don't worry about muscle... bootcamp favors skinny, tall kids that can handle their own body weight. ... run, run, run.... and put down the doritos..http://www.forumsextreme.com/imgs1/sHa_lolbig2.gif

[ALaugisch]

Like I said, I have lost 40 pounds. I have a stocky build. My family has a rich German backround. I have above average muscle, I can run 2 miles but not at a pace thats acceptable.

I dropped the 40 pounds in about a 3 month period and was very discouraged when I found out my run speed had hardly increased at all.

I'm looking for more effective ways than just going out and running intill I cannot run anymore.

[Brandon1]

I'm looking for more effective ways than just going out and running intill I cannot run anymore. That's the most effective way.

[HABU]

That's the most effective way.

god! we used to do those "fun runs out in the desert".... bleeding nipples.... all day insane stuff. but it will save you butt one day... could run forever... i swore i would never run again.... it's amazing what a young body can do.... the world lies at your feet.

[Brandon1]

god! we used to do those "fun runs out in the desert".... bleeding nipples.... all day insane stuff. but it will save you butt one day... could run forever... i swore i would never run again.... it's amazing what a young body can do.... the world lies at your feet. The body can accomplish amazing things. I've seen that show on discovery channel, I know lol.

[StollerK]

I used to be 240lbs and 5' 7 ... so to say that i was a fat body is an understatment. Before when I attempted to try out for my High Schools Lacrosse team I barely completed and was on the ground hyperventilating after running a 11:20 mile.

So I finally got fed up, and my decision to join the Marines, knew I needed to get into shape. You run till you cant go any farther, which may be not very far, at a rigerous pace. So the way I figured it to run the minimum 13:30 1.5mile was a 9:00/mile pace. So I got on the treadmill and started running at that 9min pace and just went as far as I could.
In the beginning I was DEAD after running a mile at that pace. Now after around 4 or 5 months of staying pretty consistant with my running I am able to do 2 miles at that pace pretty comfortably and able to do my 3mile in just shy of 26:00. And Im down to 185lbs and shooting for 170 and able to do a 3mile in 21 flat before I leave for Boot Camp.. so just keep at it and do whatever you have to do to reach those goals.

[Brandon1]

I've never ran on a treadmill, cause if you fall then it's gonna hurt real bad lol.

[SGT7477]

PUSHUPS, Ready Begin until I get tired.

[Brandon1]

Aye Aye Sir!

[outlaw3179]

Hey I got a question for you Alugisch... You say that you did your research and u didnt find what your looking for in any of the other services. Why do you say the army is a joke ? I agree with u that they are not Marines but I dont think you rate to call them a joke. Those men and women who are in Iraq right now might disagree with you about them being a joke. Why dont you do yourself a favor . Earn the title first then , do more than one pullup ,get you fatass to run faster than a 36 min. PFT, and then you may form an opinion. I have no problem with someone wanting to be a Marine , but I do have a problem with someone who has not done anything yet calling another service filled with men and women who sacrifce so much a joke.

[Phantom Blooper]

I've never ran on a treadmill, cause if you fall then it's gonna hurt real bad lol.


If you fall on an asphalt road you can get hurt real bad!:evilgrin:
<!-- / message -->

[HABU]

all the branches have damned good people in them... damned good units... army, navy whatever it's never about you and your personal glory... army can show up marines.... if you are looking to get street creds... then you are in the wrong business. look again at the missions of the marine corps... it says nothing about you. the marines are not the best... we suck at having a navy... only the U.S. navy can do that right... we aren't airborne... that's not our mission... we are what we are... storm troopers that are basicly self-contained. be a great marine and know your mos and you'll serve well.

[Brandon1]

If you fall on an asphalt road you can get hurt real bad!:evilgrin:
<!-- / message --> That's true, but on a treadmill those fvckers can burn you. Asphalt, you just get a little scrape. Only hurts for a few seconds :)

[Phantom Blooper]

It all depends on how hard you fall...to see how hurt you are.....sometimes it can be like getting hit by a forklift!:evilgrin:

[Brandon1]

Getting hit by a forklift can hurt real bad, trust me I know :)...OOOOOH I see now lol.

[StollerK]

That's true, but on a treadmill those fvckers can burn you. Asphalt, you just get a little scrape. Only hurts for a few seconds :)

Ive got a "cure all" for both asphalt and treadmill...

DONT FALL!

:D

[Brandon1]

You can always trip though.

[AndyBowman]

You can always trip though.

And I'd say don't trip either. Both problems solved.

[JoeInVille]

congrats man! Just keeping working your ass off and continue to get in better shape. I used to be 6'1 and 300 pounds and it took me around a year and a half to lose 120 pounds so anything you put your mind to is possible. But like the Marines said, all branches are necessary in the defense of our country and you probably shouldnt be insulting other branches considering you arent a Marine yet and you shouldnt be insulting them anyway.

[SGT7477]

all the branches have damned good people in them... damned good units... army, navy whatever it's never about you and your personal glory... army can show up marines.... if you are looking to get street creds... then you are in the wrong business. look again at the missions of the marine corps... it says nothing about you. the marines are not the best... we suck at having a navy... only the U.S. navy can do that right... we aren't airborne... that's not our mission... we are what we are... storm troopers that are basicly self-contained. be a great marine and know your mos and you'll serve well.
You forgot to tell him we have been fixing the army's mistakes since 1776 by land ,sea or air I think we got it covered don't you think?:flag:

[SGT7477]

That's true, but on a treadmill those fvckers can burn you. Asphalt, you just get a little scrape. Only hurts for a few seconds :)
Asphalt burns too just work it all day when temps. reach over 100,lol.:evilgrin:

[ALaugisch]

Hey I got a question for you Alugisch... You say that you did your research and u didnt find what your looking for in any of the other services. Why do you say the army is a joke ? I agree with u that they are not Marines but I dont think you rate to call them a joke. Those men and women who are in Iraq right now might disagree with you about them being a joke. Why dont you do yourself a favor . Earn the title first then , do more than one pullup ,get you fatass to run faster than a 36 min. PFT, and then you may form an opinion. I have no problem with someone wanting to be a Marine , but I do have a problem with someone who has not done anything yet calling another service filled with men and women who sacrifce so much a joke.

If you do not like my opinion, Fine. Thats your opinion. I call them a joke because they accept anyone, anything. I was on my way to join the Army after seeing how they handle things, how there is a waiver for EVERYTHING and how they strive to do the bare minimum. I don't agree with with how they run things and the last thing I want fighting next to me is an Ex-Con who managed to waiver himself through Basic.

Thats a joke.

The old army was good, now it's ruined.

[outlaw3179]

You know I read and reread your post, and I can't understand it. You talk like youve been there and done that. That youve seen and served with men in uniform and watched them work. I see that your 19 so Im not sure if how that could be. You have no idea what your talking about , so Im not really get into it with you . You havent earned the Title and you havent experienced anything yet. I just know that some of the things that your saying right now , there is no way that you would say that to anyone in uniform. Especially someone like a Ranger, someone in Long Range Surveillance, or any operator. Your young and have not truly seen the Marine Corps yet , so for that reason Ill leave it at this.
Earn the title first, but dont talk sh*t about other services that you dont know anything about. Better men than you have died in defense of this country and every day while your watching CNN , or watching youtube watching Marines fighting in Iraq, Real Marines and Real Soldiers are fighting and dying every day.
Semper Fi Little Warrior.

[crazymjb]

For running I have heard a lot of good things about this:
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

I understand what you are trying to say as in the Marines are the most "straight up no BS military as a religion not a job service" but you can't really say the army is a joke, because many of those guys are fighting and dying, and that's not funny.

Mike

[Brandon1]

Asphalt burns too just work it all day when temps. reach over 100,lol.:evilgrin: Oh I know lol. I work on asphault when temps hit close to 115-120 degrees everyday. And during the Monsoon season, well thats even worse lol. As for the new guy...I warned you in my first post not to bad mouth the other services. I warned you, you chose not to listen, now you will pay the price.

[SGT7477]

Oh I know lol. I work on asphault when temps hit close to 115-120 degrees everyday. And during the Monsoon season, well thats even worse lol. As for the new guy...I warned you in my first post not to bad mouth the other services. I warned you, you chose not to listen, now you will pay the price.
What are you talking about bad mouthing the other services have you lost your frickin mind HUH? BTW I have been around all the other branches and Marines Do It Best, so when you can carry my boot laces we'll talk.:evilgrin: :evilgrin: :evilgrin:

[Brandon1]

Wait, wait...I'm lost...

[SGT7477]

Look at the last part of your post 28????????????????????

[Brandon1]

I was referrining to ALaugish or w/e his name is. I said new guy cause I didnt know the name. I wasnt saying you bad mouthed other services. He broke one of the rules on this site and bad mouthed the Army saying they were a "Joke". Did I do something wrong?<SCRIPT type=text/javascript> vbmenu_register("postmenu_333279", true); </SCRIPT>

[outlaw3179]

Brandon maybe you made a mistake you quoted the Sgt. in your post.

[Brandon1]

Oh that, I was talking about the hot asphault part. I guess I should have made a new paragraph. My fault.

[SGT7477]

Oh that, I was talking about the hot asphault part. I guess I should have made a new paragraph. My fault.
You are excused my friend, we are here to help you if you show us respect,Carry On.:flag:

[Brandon1]

Aye Aye Sir.

[KevinR90]

ALaugisch:

The problem with this badmouthing stuff- whenever someone badmouths a branch- they clump everyone together. All the branches have people doing dangerous stuff. So I like to think of it this way- I see someone in uniform or maybe retired with a hat on- I show them respect no matter what branch they are because you never know what they did during their service. Maybe an old guy wearing an Air Force hat was a jet pilot- or maybe a guy wearing a Navy hat was a SEAL. No matter what branch they're in you have to show them respect- especially now when we're not even Marines yet. After we earn the title of course all the joking around starts (i hear a lot about the Air Force being pansies from my Dad (20 yrs Navy retired) and my brother (currently in the Navy). But of course they still respect them because they have their jobs to do, they're serving our country.

So maybe the Army has low standards and you don't like them because of it- but they're still sacrificing for our country. Maybe you don't like them, but you better show them respect.

Not putting words in your mouth, but from what you're saying I could infer you might call my Grandfather a pansy for joining the Navy. You would be making a mistake. He volunteered to serve during WWII. Though he was "only" a radioman on a ship, that was as dangerous as anything else. He was just off shore during the D-day landings and his ship could easily have been shelled.

See how you can get screwed for not at least showing general respect for all members of all the branches? Hell- you even have to respect the National Guard because they're going to Iraq these days. I know it's easy to criticize the other branches- I fall into that trap sometimes too. But you need to just admit you were wrong to disrespect the Army, apolagize for not being more respectful to the Marines here who are trying to inform you of your mistake (and take their advice more often), and not do something like this again. Am I the only one on here who thinks this is unreasonable? When someone with experience talks- I listen.

Sorry for ranting but I thought this just had to be said. Isn't it in the rules that people who haven't earned the title can't badmouth other branches (not that anyone should)?