Son sent to Ship 5 for failed run

[ck222]

Good evening friends!

My son left for GL BC on May 31st and I thought all was well. Got the initial "Hey I made it okay will call you in 3 weeks". Then a couple of days later a package arrived with his personal belongings ie clothes, cell phone... Well, then yesterday (Sat 6/16) I got the dreaded phone call, mom, " I failed the run by 30 sec and they are sending me home". I felt such a deep sickness in my gut b/c he sounded so disappointed. If just didn't care so much then I am sure I wouldn't either. He was in DEP for 5 months and swam and ran at least twice a week. I knew he wasn't a strong runner but we both thought his time was good enough. Obviously it wasn't. I guess I am venting but I do have a few questions to any or all who might know the answers. He stated he will be home in 2 weeks and was told he will be able to reenlist in 6 months. How true is that? Will he be home within that time frame and will he be able to rejoin in 6 months without any hassles? Seems hard to believe and maybe he is told that to just push him out quickly knowing he will have a fat chance getting back in. Also, why would the Navy spend 2 weeks sending him home and not 2 weeks making him run around the track. I am pretty sure he could have cut off 30 seconds if given a bit more of training. Also, does anyone know if the phone calls are free for him or does he need a phone card? And one last question, does He get paid till he boards the plane or does it stop when he got sent to Ship 5.  Your comments and encouraging words are deeply appreciated. God Bless!!

[Phoenixmom]

Ck222 I am really sorry to hear this, after the first initial run he will retest in 48 hrs he must of failed both. Here us the site that explains .

http://navyformoms.ning.com/group/bootcampmoms/page/physical-fitnes...

Also if they said he can enlist in 6 months then yes he should be able to. Here us another site about getting paid.

[Phoenixmom]

Here is that site

http://navyformoms.ning.com/group/bootcampmoms/page/when-will-the-r...

 Please keep your head up I know how hard this can be, but he has another chance and next time around he knows what to expect and with this time will give him the advantage to train. Some dont get that chance. Prayers to you and Son.

[ck222]

Thank you Phoenixmom!! His recruiter felt so bad for him too. He is such a nice young man really. Did well on asvab, polite, good swimmer, pushups situps are no problem, but needs help with run only. He just turned 18 few days prior to leaving for BC so I am most certain he will learn from this and will be better prepared next time. 

[lemonelephant]

Sorry to see that. I put info on SEPS on your My Page.

[lemonelephant]

You mentioned he missed his run time by 30 seconds. That was the time needed to begin training, which means his initial time was 16:40. Since he is 18, then he must get to 12:15 by the end of BC and that is unlikely to happen within the six weeks of training. The Navy does not want to pay people who are going to end up being sent home at the end, so now they have the initial time of 16 minutes, 10 seconds for males to be able to begin training. See Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) and Fitness Improvement Training (FIT) and see http://www.navy-prt.com/malestandard/17-19.html for the standards for an 18 year old male.

As far as him being home in two weeks, yes, it may happen. The SEPS process takes 10 to 20 business days. He will be able to call you and give you more info as his actual departure date gets closer and discuss how he will come home.

He will be able to start the reenlistment process in 6 months. He will go to MEPS just as he did when he began the process that led to his enlistment this time. He will need at least two waivers in order to reenlist. He will receive info on how that works while in SEPS. Yes, some have been able to go back in the past due to failing the Official PFA (that was before this year's change--none have been out long enough to know about how it will work since the change with the initial run test fail, but there is no reason to doubt that he will be able to reenlist once he gets the waiver/s.)

You asked about why he wasn't given time to run around the track. He should have gone to the RTC ready to begin training, which means he should have been close to the final time he needs not 30 seconds away from the initial time. The Navy does not want to pay recruits who cannot train.

He must have a phone card to make phone calls other than scripted calls. He can buy one at the NEX. See Phone Cards and Phone Calls. 

He will be paid from the time he was sworn in at MEPS until he leaves the RTC. The pay will have a clothing allowance put in and then deducted and then they will deduct the cost of any uniform items he has been issued that he wears home (typically the PT gear and sweats). The deposits for his pay will be strange. If he chooses to fly home instead of going home on the bus, then there will be a charge for the difference in that.

SEPS is a rough place to be. Keep encouraging him and let him know you support him and will be there for him now and once he gets home. Once he gets home, then if he wants to go back, then he will need to use the time to get his run time closer to the 12:15 final time. He can also use the time to learn the info in the SEP S.T.A.R.T. guide and if he does both, then he will be setting himself up to be able to advance in rate to E-2 once he gets to BC next time. He can see this as a road block and go on to something else or see it as a bump in the road and detour and use the time to prepare and then go on to be a Sailor at a later date.

[ck222]

Thank you for the information and answers to my questions. I will send him a phone card today as he has always had a cell phone and pay phones to this generation of young ppl has never been heard of. He was aware of the run time needed but we are a family of Army prior service and they flat out will not let any one quit. My husband couldn't walk a mile prior to basic training and by week 8 he was running a 6 minute mile. All of us except 1 of my 3 sons, including myself, service active duty Army. Probably should have stayed with what we all know. We are proud American flag bearing family and this young man just wanted to pay his dues then go on to be hard working law abiding person. The pay and job issue was not a problem for him going in as he is grandfathered in to an awesome union job that pays 4x what Navy would have. It's a tradition in our family and he just wanted to pay his dues to this country. If he can't then life will go on. I just feel bad for him!!

[lemonelephant]

You are very welcome. I wish him the best.

[txnavymom0917]

this breaks my heart for you and your loved ones.  I am truly sorry to hear this. i wish him well. 

[ck222]

@txnavymom0917 Your thoughts are truly a blessing. Thank you!!

[Michele]

From one mom to another, I know this is breaking your heart. I wish I could take some of the burden off of you. I'm happy you have the support here in this forum. I am so worried about my son swimming. Hang in there! He'll be home soon.