A Decision Made.....

[Cicero]

Good luck to him MMC.

I know what it's like to want something that badly. I wanted to be a Marine from the time I was thirteen years old. Proudest day of my life was graduating from Parris Island.

[Midwest Media Critic]

.....

[jackalope]

Well my son failed the test again. He says he is not going to take it again. In the meantime he did manage to get himself a job at a Dealership. He has survived his first week of 40 hrs. So things are looking good there.

Ah, sorry to hear that, MMC

I wish him the best of luck at the dealership !



How was the tutor the recruiter set him up with? Any good? Is he going to continue studying, and try again in 6 mos?

[Devil505]

He has been looking at the PT.....so far he thinks he has it down except for the 5 dead-weight pull-ups and he is concerned about running 5 miles under 40 mins. I told him the big concern is that he will only be getting around 2200 calories. That the training is intensive. That when he gets to Basic and AIT he had better eat and not miss any chances he gets. Typically most I knew lost anywheres from 10-30 lbs upon finishing the Course.

Althought he did tell the SSG that he still wanted to go MP.....which IMO I think would be better for him than Ranger School at this point in time. Plus I told him he could always switch over later on.

Government PT can be pretty grueling.
When I went though DEA's Basic Agent course in 1974 I was just 25 & in pretty good shape.
After the first week there I had to roll out of bed because my stomach muscles hurt so much I couldn't sit up!
They put us through 2 boxing sessions that sent about 1/3rd of our class to the hospital. (they stopped the boxing shortly after that)


Edit:
Boxing story:
They paired us up by weight, tired us out with an hour of PT first, had us wear pretty heavy boxing gloves & gave us boxing helmets to wear .
One trainee (the oldest in our class...John Z. from Chicago....40 at the time) was paired with a young guy who had been an amateur boxer before he joined DEA.
Anyway, he hit John so hard that it knocked his helmet around so that he (John Z.) was looking out of the ear-hole! (helmet must have been on to loose) The instructors wouldn't stop the round & John told us later that all he ever saw was a fist everywhere he turned!!

[Midwest Media Critic]

.....

[jackalope]

Nope Lady J.....he says he is not going now. He wants to get his own place within the next couple of months. He was going to school for mechanics before. I think he will get back into something like that. At least getting the job made him feel better and now that he has his first paycheck. He is back to himself.

Ah, glad he is feeling better. Sounds like he's on the right path. Best wishes to him!

[Telecaster]

Ah, I'm sorry to hear your son's initial goals didn't pan out. But it's also good to see he and you remain positive, and his recovery plan has wheels. Being you, I would take heart in the fact this leaves you with more time with your son for your continued guidance and camaraderie. I can tell you, watching a son disappear into Army life has its pain and anguish despite the joy and pride.

Enjoy every minute with your kids, and support them to the hilt. As we can all attest, living life as a working stiff is no walk in the park either.