Son unable to pass running test

[Jacqueline Rooths]

My sailor called today upset. He did not pass his running test and as a result will not graduate. This is his second delay - 1st grad was to be 1/23, but had to take a class - which he needed; second grad was set for 1/30.

I don't know enough about the next - except he is placed in another group of persons who has not passed their physicals. Can someone give me some words so that when I write him tonight I can write him.

He kept saying that he was a failure and he is not. He took a big step to get there; his life was caught up in much drama. Now, this.

[Kirsten]

Hi Jacqueline,

I am so sorry to hear but not to worry they will work with him they will make sure he will pass. My son's div. had a few too who didn't pass but they the rtc's made sure to train with them or have other recruits pulling them up so no worries he will make it eventually. Just tell him the next time he calls that he is not a failure that there are others in his shoes and just put his mind into it and he will do it :). We all ruleing for him :)

[Jacqueline Rooths]

Thank You so much - I will be writing him and mailing a letter for him to receive on Sunday. Also, please give me some ideas of what to send him - other than food and beverages.

[Melissa (Tucson)]

Hi Jacqueline:

My son did not pass his PT test until the last try. He keep getting sick. And he was NEVER much of a runner to begin with. Recruits are given extra help for a lot of different areas. (Swimming, running, push-ups; class room performance, etc). I'm sure your son has seen this process in his division. You can encourage him by letting him know there are a lot of recruits getting extra attention on a particular area they may not excell at. The most important thing he needs to know is that he WILL make it through boot camp. Stress that it's not important how QUICKLY he makes it through, his "A" school will still be waiting for him and so will you.
If you would like please add this story about my sailor son: He was a golfer in high school. Not one for working out. Loved video games and food. Went to boot camp last February and everytime he tested for PT he was sicker than a dog with a cold or bronchitis. He graduated and finished all his schooling and is now on a ship in the Persian Gulf. With a lot of time on his hands, he has NOW started to work out everyday and runs laps around the ship. He's in the best shape he's ever been in, in his whole life INCLUDING the day he graduated from boot camp. Your son WILL graduate. And he WILL get on with the rest of his Navy career. Write him everyday and let him know how much faith you have in him. And let him know he's not alone. 800 Sailors graduate from boot camp EVERY Friday! Keep us posted and let him know we're ALL pulling for him! :)

[Jacqueline Rooths]

Oh My God Melissa, thank you so much. I am going to send him your son's story.

[Jill Leonard]

Just keep encouraging him! He has got to be persistent and stubborn. Stubborn in the way an athlete would to reach their goal. Tell him to NEVER give up!!

[Patti]

My son failed test 3 academic and did not get to graduate today. I will pray for your sailor. Please pray for mine.
Patti

[John]

Hi Jacqueline, like your son I didn't pass one of my PT's at Chaplains School. I'm not a runner by any stretch of the imagination, even when I was a kid I figured walking could get me where I wanted to go, so why run? In Chaplains School we had a Gunney who made us run 5 miles a day, 3x's a week. It was pure hell. He was always yelling at me to "tighten it up" meaning get with the group. Finally, I got fed up with that and lost my temper and shouted back at him "Gunney, I'm 40 something years old, I'm as tight as I'm ever gonna get, so get off my back!" By the look on his face, I thought he was gonna kill me. Instead, he ran off by himself, away from me and the other officers, and we didn't see him for the rest of the day. At the end of the day, one of our instructors asked me how PT went and I told him what happened. I asked him if I was in trouble with the Gunney, I was worried, and he said "no" the Gunney ran in the opposite direction because he didn't want to laugh in front of us. You see, he was a DI at Parris Island and he wasn't used to recruits, marines or officers, yelling at him, he was just surprised. When it came time for the PFA at the end of the 12 weeks, it took me two trys to do the run. And the only reason I did passed was because of my friends and the Gunney, who wouldn't let me give up. Your son's friends and rtc's won't let him give up either. He will pass. I will always be thankful to my Gunnery Sargent and my friends, if it weren't for their support and encouragement, I wouldn't be in the Navy now.

[Jacqueline Rooths]

Thank you both for your comment. John that is funny!!! Patty, I will pray for you as well - when our children hurt, so do we. Be encouraged.

Jacki

[ADN]

Jacqueline,

My son also did not pass his first PTAs due to his running. His shipmates worked with him and encouraged him. Each PT one or two of them would run with him to help quicken his pace. He passed his final PTA with seconds to spare. Now, at his present school he is running on his own to keep his speed up. Do keep encouraging your son and remind him, we all have different strengths and weaknesses. My son helped those that had learning difficulties. He paid it forward. His ship worked as a team. That is what the Navy is trying to teach our children. Not passing a test is not a failure, it is an opportunity to try again. The RTCs want to see your son succeed. Praying for his success as well as for your child Patti.

Anita

[ADN]

That is supposed to be RDCs. Still getting used to all the acronyms!

[Jacqueline Rooths]

Don't feel bad, I still don't know what anything means. Thank you so much. In fact, I sure will remind him of our strengths and weaknesses - it is just so important.

[Dianne]

Jacqueline, my heart goes out to you and your recruit. He WILL pass, everyone at Boot Camp wants him to succeed and they will insure he does. Hang in there lady!