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!!

[ck222]

@Michele Thank you so much for your kind words. They mean the world. I was able to briefly talk to my son after a meeting he had and he did say there are fewer swim disqualifiers than run dq at ship 5. From what I gather the swim isn't timed so I am certain your son will be good.  Prayers are going out to your him!! 

[Hikergirl]

I’m so curious about this. I thought after the 5th business day they do the initial run? Why did he call 17 days after he left? If the fan the 5th business day and then 48 hours later that’s still way longer.

[lemonelephant]

Hikergirl, the initial run is on around the fifth business day after arrival if that day is a Monday, Wednesday, or Friday and if the division that the recruit was tentatively placed in upon arrival has filled. An All Male division will fill faster than an Integrated division, which contains both males and females. The date of the initial run for an All Male division is usually closer to the fifth business day after arrival than for some of those in an Integrated division. Males do not know until arrival if they will be placed in an All Male division or an Integrated division. Females will be placed in an Integrated division. 

Here is what may have happened for ck222's recruit (again, this is just my guess).

5/31 shipped

6/1 P-HOLD waiting on others to fill division

6/2 P-HOLD Saturday

6/3 P-HOLD Sunday

6/4 P-HOLD waiting on others to fill division

6/5 P-HOLD waiting on others to fill division (Division filled.)

6/6 P-1

6/7 P-2

6/8 P-3

6/9 P-HOLD Saturday

6/10 P-HOLD Sunday

6/11 P-4

6/12 HOLD

6/13 first attempt at initial run

6/14 FIT

6/15 second attempt at initial run Failed 

6/16 call (I am unsure why the call was on Saturday instead of on Friday.)

Her call letting her know that her recruit was being sent to SEPS still occurred within the 9 to 14 business days after arrival (11 business days + 1 since it came on Saturday) that it now takes to receive The Form Letter. If he had passed on the second attempt, then she would have received it on or around the 20th, which would have been the 14th business day after his arrival at the RTC.

Phase 1 (P-days) can be as short as 4 days to as long as 17 days, but are seldom over 11 days. This recruit had around 12 P-days. Arrival and What Happens at the RTC within Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones) will let you know what is happening and what to expect.

[Hikergirl]

Thank you for taking the time to explain all of that! I appreciate it.

[lemonelephant]

You are very welcome. It is also possible that the division did not fill until 6/6.

I have updated Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) and Fitness Improvement Training (FIT) to include "An important note:" that clarifies "On about their fifth business day at the RTC (excluding any HOLD days)" that has always been in that page.

[Hikergirl]

I’m reading and learning, thanks for the link. My son left on 06/18 had a flight cancel, for on another flight, got stuck in Dallas over night and then finally around midnight 06/20 got to BC. We got his box two days later on Friday which seems fast compared to some people. I’m hoping the letter comes fast too! Lol I just am driving myself crazy I’m sure. I will be better once I can write him. Im jusy not dealing with him being away and no communication. Even being a military brat! So of course my dad keeps telling me to suck it up butter cup. Ha

[txnavymom0917]

my son was discharged on a  medical that was found to be a mistake. it didn't matter however he got out and was able to obtain pay and also receive school/college benefits which almost paid for 2 years of his schooling.  up to this point he has not even taken out a school loan. it's all been grants! I wish your SR the best of luck. The run time is a pain in the....my son had a hard time with this too. he will get it down trust me. if and when he gets home tell him to run outstide versus on a track. find a running coach, eat right, stretch, invest n a foam roller, Epsom salts and ice baths WILL help. I watched my son go through this and what I mentioned helped my tremendously.  this brakes my heart to hear and see these fine young men DOR or fail all things Navy.  hang in there momma!

[ck222]

@lemonelephant Your breakdown of holding then p-days and breakdown of failed run was correct. He actually arrived on a Friday to ship 5 but was not given a phone call till Saturday. He is actually still in ship 5 and it will be 2 weeks tomorrow and still no departure date. From what my son is saying they are over filled and with the 4th July coming I am afraid the staff is taking vacation pushing separations further back. 

@txnavymom0917 Thank you so much for the encouragement for both my son and for myself. It has been a true letdown for him. He said on a bummer scale he was a 10 but after we talked a couple of times it is now around a 6. He stated he will not give up and will give it another try after more preparation. He has been doing extra assignments at ship 5 to keep busy and earn extra phone calls. He said it is not so bad except it is extremely boring. And the food is okay just not enough portions. Other than that it is just hurry up and wait. But honestly, the run was his only weakness. He would have stayed  out of trouble and did what he was told. Never had a problem with this son. No drugs nor underage drinking at all. So sad for him still.

[lemonelephant]

ck222, thank you. I hope that his stay in SEPS is not much longer. With the large numbers in SEPS due to the failed run test I think that the previous 10 to 21 days to process out is now wrong. It is good that he is staying busy because SEPS can be a hard place to be.

I hope that he does take the 6 months before he can reenlist to get in shape and to be closer to his required run time and scores for the Official PFA (not the time needed to start BC, but the time needed to finish BC) when he re-enters DEP so that when he does make it back to the RTC that his run time and scores on the rest of the PFA will be at at least the SAT-Medium level and if he also learns the info in the DEP START guide, then he will be able to advance to E-2. This can be a bump in the road and a detour on his way to still being a US Navy Sailor later if he chooses. He will also be able to let others who are in DEP with his recruiter know what is expected so that they will be ready.

[Navy♡]

I’m really sorry to hear that. 

My SR might the same situation. He arrived 6/1 and we all still haven’t hear from him. 

Some of us asked his mother. But she is keep saying still no form letter. 

So we all still don’t know he is doing well or failed.