back from the island w/out my title

[Roop]

I am back from the Island and got sent home without my title...it's the worst feeling a recruit could ever endure. It feels like failure and tastes like disgust.

I was on PI for 31 days and half of it was spent in FRP, Female Readiness Plt, a platoon for broken, or injured, recruits. I cannot describe the anger I have for myself each day that I have been home. My recruiter says that if I work hard, PT with him, show that I have motivation and get the necessary surgery, that he will send me back without question. Receiving that news was bitter-sweet as I should be graduating this Friday with my original training plt, not months from now with newer POOLEEs.

If you have any questions about the Island, I will do my best to answer...

[sbombard15]

What happened? Did you have the choice to stay or leave?

[Roop]

What happened? Did you have the choice to stay or leave?
During receiving (the first 3-5 days you are on the Island) you do not sleep, there are receiving DI's (keep in my that these DI's are not the DI's that will be training you throughout boot camp, receiving is their only job), these receiving DI's play games with you, which for me included lifting 90lb ILBE packs over our head, up and down, 200+ times and holding them for several minutes at a time level to the deck. During this "game" I felt something in my stomach rip. Which I later found out in medical, that I have a hernia right above my bellybutton (sorry if TMI). I stuck it out through my initial IST, lost all motivation and then, against my best judgement, went to medical.

I was eventually sent to a Naval Hospital off-base and told by the Navy Corpman that my injury would require surgery to be fixed. I was also made aware that after the surgery I would finish my recovery in a rack in the FRP squadbay. The Naval Hospital was old and looked as though it hadn't been cleaned or remodeled for 30+ years. I declined the surgery after being made aware that my family would not be present, I would not graduate with my original training plt and that the whole process could delay my graduation up to 4 months.

So, yes, I had a choice to have surgery, recover, and return to training but did not. I now greatly regret my decision, one that I thought was the best thing at the time. I cannot describe the embarrassment and feeling of failure while my DI drove me off-base and to the airport.

[Poolee Sokol]

That really does suck, but you should keep in mind that you didn't leave the island because of something much worse, like gone suicidal or anything like that.

Sorry to hear this =l Hope all gets better

[Roop]

That really does suck, but you should keep in mind that you didn't leave the island because of something much worse, like gone suicidal or anything like that.

Sorry to hear this =l Hope all gets better

Thank you and that's very true and believe me there were plenty of those.

I guess all I can say to POOLEEs is just no matter how hard it gets during training, no matter how many times you get yelled at or sand-pitted, just stay motivated, don't EVER, EVER leave the Island without your title. Boot camp isn't all that bad, you get used to it and it's only 13 weeks for a lifetime of honor.

[BrianW]

Man, that really sucks. I do have a question though. What happens if you fail the IST at PI? I was told you get sent home, then I was heard you get put on some program that pushes your graduation date farther back.

[Roop]

Man, that really sucks. I do have a question though. What happens if you fail the IST at PI? I was told you get sent home, then I was heard you get put on some program that pushes your graduation date farther back.

I was in FRP, where injured recruits and also recruits that fail their IST go. The IST failures did PT with the DI's in FRP, for you it would be MRP, they did PT most days and worked with a Physical Trainer one or two days out of the week. Some weeks there would be an "exit IST" or an IST you would do to try to get back to training. Once you pass your exit you have to wait until another company starts training and gets to the training day that you were dropped into MRP on. Does that make sense?

So, yes, your grad date would be pushed back and you would graduate with another plt, other than your original training plt.

If you fail your exit 3-4 times you are likely to get sent home.

[BrianW]

OK I understand thanks. I hope everything works out for you

[Yonkers]

Sucks, but at least you didn't leave because of giving up... you left because of medical reasons... Don't be mad at yourself.

[sparkie]

Better luck next time, Little girl. Just to let you know I spent an extra month there in '69 'cause I had no pullups. It was hell, and I lost 50 lbs in the prosess,,,,,,, I do believe if you want it, you WILL go get it. It's in your court, Do what you gotta do. I respect you. Semper Fi, baby.

[Borknagar]

You are still young and still have time - get ready for second round, and no time to waste! ;)

[Roop]

Thank you all for your motivational words. That's probably the first time anyone has said anything that nice since I got home. I have the highest respect for all Marines, even DI's.

[Mledford]

Just stay motivated and keep truckin'! Look on the bright side, now you know what to expect next time you go back! :D

[Mervau]

How long is the usual hernia recovery period? I have a hernia now, but am getting surgery when I report to PI.

[JWG]

Roop,

I know this sounds easier said than done, but take it as a extra challenge to your integrity and inner strengthening. You WILL come out a stronger individual and eventually MARINE. It's your heart, will, and soul that transforms, and your body with it. Stand up and brush yourself off, it's time to charge the gates again, that Title is yours!

Get some!
JWG

[Roop]

How long is the usual hernia recovery period? I have a hernia now, but am getting surgery when I report to PI.

You know I'm not quite sure, I know that it depends of what kind of hernia you have and how severe it is. I would try googling your injury and see what the average is. Good luck!

[Roop]

Roop,

I know this sounds easier said than done, but take it as a extra challenge to your integrity and inner strengthening. You WILL come out a stronger individual and eventually MARINE. It's your heart, will, and soul that transforms, and your body with it. Stand up and brush yourself off, it's time to charge the gates again, that Title is yours!

Get some!
JWG

Once again, thank you :) You all are awesome. This is a whole lot more support and motivation that I've gotten from family. I really needed it. It's gotten me back into my work outs and striving for that Title at the end of the road, even if it the road may be longer than most.

I have a feeling that if I don't go back, I'll never feel whole and never know my true potential.

[xxGirl19xx]

OMG were you in November Co. Plt. 4007? Lol I was in Nov. Co. Plt. 4006. When do you think you'll be heading back to the island? Good luck!

[Roop]

OMG were you in November Co. Plt. 4007? Lol I was in Nov. Co. Plt. 4006. When do you think you'll be heading back to the island? Good luck!

I was in 4006. Senior DI Ssgt Tracy, Sgt Byfield, Sgt Behrman. What's your last name?

[xxGirl19xx]

Oh wow I don't remember seeing you (last name: Peterson)...what training day did you make it to?? By the way it's DI Ssgt Baerman.

[Neck133]

Oh man, what a bummer. But hey, atleast you didn't quit. Get your surgery, recover for a month or two, get back to your PT, and put alot into core training.

I had a hernia a couple years ago it really wasn't that bad, just the recovery took a while. Good luck with everything.

[farina817]

hey i just wanna say i know what you're going through and its not easy at all.
i was training on a fractured hip an pelvic bone for a good 2 weeks just sucking up the pain like crazyyy trying to avoid going to medical before chief drill instructor SSGT Tracy (who i see was your di) saw me limping on a run and had me get in "the van" that of course my green belt was driving haha. i was expecting light duty at mostt and even at medical when they asked me if I could do full duty i just said yes because i didnt wanna be that light duty garbage. then the doctor decided to do an x-ray and i will never forget his face when he came back in the room. the corpsman couldn't even believe i'd been walking the fractures got to be so bad. i was dropped to FRP the next morning.
by far the worsttt thing i've ever gone through in my life, not even so much the getting dropped, but losing MY drill instructors.

i was finally discharged June 4th, only 2 weeks before my platoon graduated. its really hard being home because no one understands what you've gone through and plus theyre all nasty civilians :p but i can re-enlist in december and i'm hoping to go back down there early 2011.

[berts78]

wow i have a friend who was set up to leave in a week and they found a hernia and now he has to wait 6months bcuz of surgery. hes really depressed about it so i can only imagine how you feel. sorry to hear. hope all goes well next time.

[C Wiemers]

Roop, you probably have more dedication than most other Poolee's here. When you graduate after you recover, your going to be more of a Marine than anyone here. You didn't just break a bone after taking a wrong step, you kept pushing yourself after you tore up your insides.

I know Poolees here aren't allowed to say Semper Fi, but I think you deserve a special exception.

[Steve018]

I hope i dont get injured in recruit training. I got a bad wrist that needed surgery and a pin placed inside a few years back. I just hope i dont fall on it and screw everything up. Once you recover, i bet you're gonna tear right through round 2! I wish you the best of luck and ill be praying for a quick recovery!

[Dillon]

Welcome back!

Failure is just another opportunity. I think... I think this might do you some good. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wupToqz1e2g

Words from a forgotten hero.

[Cardboardbox]

What's the bus ride like there? And what's going through your mind when the bus pulls up and the DI gets on and screams?

Edit: Woah.. I just realized this thread is older than my grandmother.. lol

[farina817]

the bus rides interesting lol. its pretty quiet for the most part and you really have no idea whats going on. you dont know the time, where you are, how long its gonna be or anything. then when you start getting close the bus driver has you put down your head and all the lights are off. finally the bus comes to a stop and you can here the D.I.'s outside and you know exactlyyy where you are lol. we had a female Marine "welcome" us to P.I.
its really crazy when you first get there you're just being yelled at and you dont know what anyones saying or how to reply. (quick tip just say aye sir, yes mam, yes sir, no sir, to EVERYTHING lol) receiving sucks. you get no sleep and youre just waiting around a LOT. it sucks andd this is usually the part where everyones going "WTF was i thinking." then you move into the squad bay and things are okay. then Saturday morning comes and all your company officers are there, and of course your drill instructors. allll hell breaks lose that first day and literally everyones running around like chickens with their heads cut off. but trust me, after the first couple days with your D.I.'s you start getting the hang of things and start getting the schedule down.

some key tips i can give you are, ALWAYS be standing on line at the position of attention by 1. better yet by 3. if they're counting down they dont care if you have 2 feet off the ground you better not be moving at 1. some recruits dont get this and it just causes a lotttt of practice for putting on your boots 18 times.
-label every last thing you own.
-listen to simple instructions. and do only exactly what your d.i. says
-always sound off
-save letter writing for Sundays. seriously. Drill Instructors notice whos spending their free time studying, practicing drill, folding sleeves, and things that matter. If the duty d.i. is your knowlledge d.i., request permission to go over things you need to know for the test. if it's your d.i. that loves to drill, request permission to take the weapons off the rack. everything is a competition there between the platoons in the series and you besttt bet that your drill instructors want those trophys! trust me, they'll never say no to work on improving a recruit!

its not that bad and it doesnt last forever. unfortunatly i wasnt able to finish because of my injuries but i can't wait to get back down there esspecially with what i know now about training lol.
good luck!!!

[Steve018]

the bus rides interesting lol. its pretty quiet for the most part and you really have no idea whats going on. you dont know the time, where you are, how long its gonna be or anything. then when you start getting close the bus driver has you put down your head and all the lights are off. finally the bus comes to a stop and you can here the D.I.'s outside and you know exactlyyy where you are lol. we had a female Marine "welcome" us to P.I.
its really crazy when you first get there you're just being yelled at and you dont know what anyones saying or how to reply. (quick tip just say aye sir, yes mam, yes sir, no sir, to EVERYTHING lol) receiving sucks. you get no sleep and youre just waiting around a LOT. it sucks andd this is usually the part where everyones going "WTF was i thinking." then you move into the squad bay and things are okay. then Saturday morning comes and all your company officers are there, and of course your drill instructors. allll hell breaks lose that first day and literally everyones running around like chickens with their heads cut off. but trust me, after the first couple days with your D.I.'s you start getting the hang of things and start getting the schedule down.

some key tips i can give you are, ALWAYS be standing on line at the position of attention by 1. better yet by 3. if they're counting down they dont care if you have 2 feet off the ground you better not be moving at 1. some recruits dont get this and it just causes a lotttt of practice for putting on your boots 18 times.
-label every last thing you own.
-listen to simple instructions. and do only exactly what your d.i. says
-always sound off
-save letter writing for Sundays. seriously. Drill Instructors notice whos spending their free time studying, practicing drill, folding sleeves, and things that matter. If the duty d.i. is your knowlledge d.i., request permission to go over things you need to know for the test. if it's your d.i. that loves to drill, request permission to take the weapons off the rack. everything is a competition there between the platoons in the series and you besttt bet that your drill instructors want those trophys! trust me, they'll never say no to work on improving a recruit!

its not that bad and it doesnt last forever. unfortunatly i wasnt able to finish because of my injuries but i can't wait to get back down there esspecially with what i know now about training lol.
good luck!!!

Nice info! That bus ride description gave me the butterflies haha

[Cellinheim]

First and foremost I am checking up on Roop! It has been awhile since she has posted here on this thread and I am curious to she if her will has changed. I wish her the best!


I have a feeling that if I don't go back, I'll never feel whole and never know my true potential.

This is the WORST thought process one can have given the wall in front of you! Your words up until I read this were PHENOMENAL! I saw a real strong Woman in there, on a mission. In an effort to give you MOTTO, that you may have lost along the way. Do not even think about, NOT GOING BACK! This is not something to think about. If it pains you this much, make like Nike, "JUST DO IT!" The mere thought of not returning will be enough to stop you. DO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN!

On the same note as your injury. A member of my poole has been waiting for two years to return to the island. He fractured his wrist while he was there and continued to attempt to PT for two weeks before the DI made him report to medical, they discharged him after three months in ward. After his recovery period he attempted again, got off the bus and was sent home by the same Drill Instructors, apparently they remembered him as being weak, "You are not ready!" He was sent home during processing. He just had his enlistment orders signed three weeks ago, he is officially eligible to come out of "medical retirement" and re-enlist.

I hope you have a smoother road! If a male can put up with this HELL to get back in I am certain a female can. I have seen women with extreme pain thresholds do men under many times.

:evilgrin:DO NOT GIVE UP! NO MATTER WHAT IT TAKES! YOU MUST GRAB WHAT YOU BELIEVE TO BE YOURS! NEXT TIME DO ME THE FAVOR AND COME HOME WITH THE TITLE! DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?!?!:evilgrin:

[Kildars]

Good luck, just keep pushing -- this is just one obstacle in your journey. There will be many more.

[shadox]

I am truly sorry for ya, not graduating from boot is one of my... no take that back, it is my BIGGEST fear.

[ScarSniper]

Wow. That's Intense. Aye-yi-yi, I can't imagine coming back home without the Title...i've been waiting far too long..i'd be embarrassed to show my face in front of my recruiting station, so that must've been tough. That being said, nothing but respect for being honest and using your temporary failure as wisdom to us poolees. I don't mean this negatively, but your failure has just inspired me to not be like you, if you know what I mean. I know it's tough out there...i've got a friend (Pfc) who told me a story about a guy who came 1/2way through the Crucible and then suddenly quit, just like that. Also seen a guy who was just ABOUT to take his crucible, doing well in bootcamp, come back because of a spinal injury that he needs surgery from...gonna take him 18 months to get back to the Island. Just remain motivated, and don't beat yourself up too badly, that's not going to help, just PT, and once you get that surgery, go back out there to those Drill Instructors with a vengeance, and earn the Title. Don't lose motivation and use what you've learned from your failures to transform them into success. Good luck.

[ScarSniper]

I am truly sorry for ya, not graduating from boot is one of my... no take that back, it is my BIGGEST fear.


Man, same here...I think deep down, no matter how high your PT level is, how moto you are, if you're a poolee, that fear is in each of us to some degree. But you just can't think like that. Personally, I just think (and this is what raises my recruiter's eyebrow.lol) that i'd rather break every bone in my body and come back Marine, then to come back as a civilian who couldn't hack it.

[Epiidemik57]

Honestly you should be proud of the eagerness you have to return. You cant help what happens to your body, injuries are going to happen. Just work hard and im sure when you return and your doin that PT without all that pain you'll be happy with your decision. Good luck!

[TheNewYorker]

I am sorry to hear about your misfortune, but like they say "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger"

I see you going back and kicking some major butt and earning your title very soon, I wish you the best of Luck, and dont let this experience kill your Moto.


Wish you the best.