nervous

[falcore]

I need help getting out. I can no longer handle the psychological and physical pain anymore. I haven't left for basic yet and i don't want to. So can someone please help me before i do something stupid.

[Samber]

Ummm, give the CO a big, wet, sloppy kiss?

What are they putting you through?

[falcore]

It was fine the first drill for RSP, but the second one they made me run too much and now my knees are all messed up.

I know I should be able to make it through PT, but being over weight and not used to it they should not make a person go way over the extreme.

I understand going a little over what a person can do, but doing 1 to 2 miles over what i can do is pushin it and all they are doing is damaging a future soldier instead of helping them.

They also said to work out when not at drill, but how is someone supposed to work out when they can't even climb the stairs to get out of their room?

It has been three weeks since my last drill and I still can't go upstairs without a lot of pain going through my knees and walking still hurts too.

[Jan]

Falcore- you need to dissect your question here for all of us and get to the heart of what your issue is. Do you A) want to get out? or B) do you want to be able to succeed at this WITHOUT going thru the pain? THERE'S A DIFFERENCE. Are you hoping to get out, because that's the only option you see available to you? Getting out is not your only choice. In fact, I'm not sure how much of a choice you really have, unless you have a signed note from your undertaker;)

This IS possible, and the biggest factor is not your weight, it's not the strenuous PT... it is your desire and motivation. Remember the Soldier's Creed...I will never accept defeat, I will never quit. You can see the other issues as roadblocks, or as stepping stones. The choice is yours.

First, if being overweight and that out of shape are an issue- you need time to drop the weight and start whipping yourself into shape NOW! I don't know how much time has passed since your enlistment, but I would see if you could buy some time and change your shipout date. I believe (help, anyone?) you can ship out to basic up to one year AFTER enlistment. I enlisted in August, but I'm not shipping out until January, because I wanted to give myself the time to train on my own and get up to speed. If I would have gone immediately, I would have failed.

Next, look at what you said..."doing 1 to 2 miles over what i can do"... did you do it, though? Over what you are physically capable of doing... or just over what you THOUGHT you could do? More than was comfortable? That's what it's going to take to improve, is to keep going after you THINK you're tired and can't go on.

Finding the time to exercise- yes, you can do it. Period. You have to. Right now, the high-impact of running is killing your knees. Is there anything else you can do? Swimming is excellent and NO impact. Biking is fabulous. Walking is even good- but you have to walk fast and keep going. I walk about 4-5 miles at a pop. If you don't have a bike, buy one. Beg, borrow or steal one. Just do it. Go to the gym. Do treadmills. BUY HIGH QUALITY SHOES. My performance improved greatly overnight when I bought real, honest-to-goodness running shoes. My knees didn't **** me, my legs didn't get tired. Yes, they were $75 but they were worth every single cent and then some.

And yes, you NEED to do it on your free time. I'm not working out nearly enough. I go running 2-3 times a week, walk 2-3 x a week, and do PU/SU about 4-5 times a week. The more I do it, though... the more I will succeed.

I'm not trying to nag or get on your case, but it sounds like you need a good shot of motivation. (A *true* friend will give ya a good kick in the butt when you need one). The road for you may be harder than for some, but it is not impossible. And it will take time. You have to coach yourself to NOT give up. Use motivation, visualize what it is that you want out of it. Myself... what keeps me going are those gold bars. I WILL NOT STOP because I am determined to get my bars. Quitting is not an option.

YOU CAN DO THIS! If you need more reasons or suggestions, you can email me. But I'm warning ya, I don't take no for an answer!:D

[Echo]

Excellent post Jan!

[falcore]

I guess i am going to have to get a note from the undertaker then unless someone actually wnats to help me get out instead of giving me advice i have already heard.

[falcore]

I really don't want to do this anymore and it is not just because of the physical aspect, but more of a psycological aspect that i don't wish to discuss on a forum

[JRSGT7985]

I would be happy to talk with you online or over the phone. Be strong you can do it. I would be more than happy to take your place or my son's place who will be 18 in two years rather than send you to a place you dont feel you can handle. You CAN do what ever you want! It will make you feel very good about yourself and the USA after you complete b/t & ait. Be strong go forward.

Regards from the old SGT form CT

[Samber]

Jan,

May I ask you. What kind of running shoes did you get that helped so much?

[Jan]

Jan,

May I ask you. What kind of running shoes did you get that helped so much? I bought Asics GT-2110. They retail for $90, I got mine on sale at Scheel's sporting goods for $74.99. All the good "high end" Asics just felt phenomenal. I tried on New Balance and didn't care for those.

Then, hoping to save money, I went to JCPenney. They do carry Asics, New Balance, Reebok, Nike, etc... and they are cheaper... BUT they are a lower quality and just don't feel that good. You can tell the difference.

Trust me, with my Asics, I have NEVER had shoes that feel this good! I kept walking around in the store saying they felt like slippers, they were so light and comfy. And, my time for a mile went in 2 days from 12:20 to 10:31. Maybe it was the shoes, maybe it was because my knees weren't hurting and throbbing with every step.

[matthew.ritchie]

I guess i am going to have to get a note from the undertaker then unless someone actually wnats to help me get out instead of giving me advice i have already heard.

I would hope that you would be encouraged and heartened by the fact that people whom you've never met want you to succeed. If you are determined to fail, then no force on this planet can stop you. I've met many people in my life, and I haven't yet met one who is glad that he failed.

Nothing significant comes without sacrifice -- doctors study for long hours, writers struggle over a thousand discarded rough drafts, and citizens such as yourself suffer through physical activity to become Soldiers. If you keep up your fitness, you'll find that each time you do it gets a little bit easier.

[Jan]

Very well said, Maj Ritchie. Falcore, every word is true. Yes, YOU CAN DO IT. You really can. There's a lot of us here who want you to succeed and have faith in you- but you have to have faith in yourself.

There's a lot of people who probably can't believe that I joined the guard. And, as an older person, I had a LOT more obstacles to overcome than most. I can't even begin to list them all. Each one can be seen as a pretty valid reason to quit, but I refuse to let anything stand in my way. I'm 35 years old. The last time I had a gym class and had to do sit ups was before our younger recruits were born! I started out 2 months ago with training. I couldn't do a single push-up. I could barely run a block. I'm a single mom with 3 kids with NO support from my ex-husband. Somehow I have to juggle a full-time job, 3 kids, homework, church, paying bills, paperwork like you wouldn't believe every month... and NOW I have to fit in PT and getting in shape. But I do it, because that's my choice... run myself into the ground right now and get past basic~ or give up and continue life as it has been~ And it isn't pretty.

If you read the other threads in this forum, it's all about helping others out. There are pages devoted to losing weight, even more on improving PT. None of us want to see you quit. We are here for you for moral support, a pat on the back, and inspiration. When you graduate from BCT, you will have such a high from your accomplishment, you will be delerious. And you will have such pride in yourself for overcoming the challenges! Stay focused on your goals and remember what motivated you to join in the first place.

[JD fan]

Falcore, I have been reading your past posts and you say you want out, OK if you get out what will you do after you get out? I am almost 37 and have a wife, kids,and own a small lawn service and work a part-time job and am putting it ALL on the line to join the National Guards. WHY 1) freedom is not free...someone has to serve their state and nation, Ill do it Ill help out. 2) It is a family thing, my father(USMC 30yrs ret col.) brother(USMC 30yrs ret sgtmjr) both served 30 years each, if they can do it I can do it. 3) I already have some pretty good skills, but I would like to have some more.....Ill let the guard pay me to learn more skills! 4) A $20,000 enlistment bonus is not such a bad thing...Im talking new roof and Nice down payment on a new truck. 5)Oh yea and best of all if you make it for 20 years of service uncle Sam will give you a retirement check for the rest of your life. I know I dont know you,just trying to help you stay on track. If RSP was that hard then you need to dig down deep in your soul and try a little harder each time you go there. I know when I go to RSP that Im gonna have some *** chewings and a lot of hurt,Ill do better the next time over and move on. I dont know what else to tell you except that I hope you make the right desicion for your future, maybe just giveRSP anouther chance......Thousands of people join up and go to BCT and succeed every year why cant you? DONT QUIT YOU CAN DO IT! BTW: If you live around Virginia Beach Ill come run and train with you if you want!:)

[falcore]

One of the main reasons is that i have already witnessed way to much violence in just ten years of my life. I already know freedom isn't free, but try dealing with gangs and getting shot at for just one month and you won't want to be nowhere near gun fire. I have been defending people since I was 13 from gangs and anyone else causing problems and I just now relized i don't want nothing to do with combat anymore. After watching 4 of my friends dieing from gunshot wounds. We were just walking to the store and someone decided they didn't like us and started blasting I was lucky that he didn't have a full clip or else i would be with them right now.

[Heratic]

I've grown up in a rough neighborhood as well, but i'm not letting that stop me. Now i don't mean to sound so callous but, why in the world did you sign up if you didn't want to be anywhere near violence?

Now me, i've grown up with violence as well but i am still going to go and serve my country. During my time of service i'm going to be an mp which will help me in my training to be a cop. I'm trying to do something against the increase of violence. How about you?

[VTguard]

I agree with all of the reasons that you all have given that FALCORE shouldn't get out, but it seems that more and more excuses keep coming out everytime someone addresses his concerns. Unfortunately, I think that no matter what we say and how much we show him that he CAN DO IT, he has already given up. Falcore, if you really want to get out, and there is nothing that we can say to convince you that you are making the biggest mistake of your life, here's what you need to do:

Write a letter to your RSP Coordinator / 1SG and state that you wish to be discharged. Explain all of the reasons that you want to get out, and he or she will proceed with your discharge.

The Military is not for everyone, and nobody is going to force you to serve your country. Fortunately, there are hundreds of thousands others that will defend that freedom for you. It would have been much better if you had decided this before you signed the dotted line, but at least the government didn't waste thousands of dollars sending you to Basic Training, Paying for your meals, your housing, your training and equipment before you finally came to this realization. Someday, you will look back at your life and wish you had the intestinal fortitude to take charge of your life, but afterall, it is your life, and you have the power to do what you want with it.

[jdog1786]

alright first of all theres a reason you joined the guard remember no one forced you to sighn a paper now whats happening is your sycing yourself out you will be suprised what the human body is capable of i garentee if you dont quit and tell yourself no matter how bad it gets you must never quit never belive me i know what your feeling you want to your rsp and your telling yourself i cant do this this is a whole new life style belive me that goes through every recruits head if they say it dint there lieing after a while you'll fall into the routine as will your body if your worried about leaving home remember your not going away forever just a few months you will see your family again remember your doing something positive for your life like i said never quit never give dont fail yourself

[TORRES714]

what happens to falcore if he decides to leave or he stays and starts bct and quits? is there some kind of **********? or fine?:confused:





I would hope that you would be encouraged and heartened by the fact that people whom you've never met want you to succeed. If you are determined to fail, then no force on this planet can stop you. I've met many people in my life, and I haven't yet met one who is glad that he failed.

Nothing significant comes without sacrifice -- doctors study for long hours, writers struggle over a thousand discarded rough drafts, and citizens such as yourself suffer through physical activity to become Soldiers. If you keep up your fitness, you'll find that each time you do it gets a little bit easier.

[VTguard]

No **********...no fine. If he fails to meet the standard at BCT or just quits, he will be discharged.

[GoGoGuardGirl64]

Jan,

I loved what you suggested. I am over the weight and working on dropping it before I actually ship out..I haven't joined yet because my recruiter keeps forgetting our appointments but I plan to.

Anyway...was wondering if you are allowed your own running shoes or do you have to wear the boots or military issue when you go to basic? I might be interested in getting a pair of those shoes as well if we are allowed to take them with us.

Thanks!

[GoGoGuardGirl64]

What a nice guy! I wish someone lived near me to help me train. :)

[Oggie]

There are too many other challenges in life than sitting on your rump. Get off your rump and do what you intended to do Falcore. Stop waisting peoples time and giving excuses of why you want out and man up or woman up.
You decided to join for more than one reason so stop letting these emoitions get in the way. Grow up and accept the challenge. Obviously you arent too simple minded to quit on your own because you need somebody to show you the way, so go right ahead and listen to what your friends forever tell you. These people that you are getting responses from dont even know you and I have to tell ya something....if you dont listen to what these nice friends are telling you then what are you going to do if an enemy points a rifle to your head.
You now have my permission to grow up and follow me. I am a father of 2, 37 years old, a married man, college student, fulltime employee and a new National Guard Member.
I would rather train now to lend a helping hand, than to give in and let the enemy come here again to **** our citizens...
Grow up and help fight for our way of life and train to defend all those old people that cant defend themselves, defend all the tiny childrens and all the cripple people and stand up and defend our constitution...You owe it to yourself and everybody in your life cycle because they will count on you to lend a hand when they are incapable. Think about your old neighbors who want to help but cant. Think about the elementary school kids that are innocent and dont know how to defend themselves. Finally...Think about yourself for a change and get some actual training for yourself that you could put to practical use by becoming an administrator or a preacher and then you could help without fighting unless you are needed to defend somebody.

[GoGoGuardGirl64]

I've been reading all these replies and some are supportive, some are harsh, and some are pretty much calling him names for wanting to get out. Military people are a very different breed from most of the population. They are very devoted and committed to their branch and enjoy the team atmosphere, comradere and being depended on to serve and protect not only the country but each other. The military is not for everyone, but trying to guilt the guy isn't going to work either. Guilting someone into doing something you want them to do never works long term because they are doing it for someone else not themselves. HE HAS TO WANT THIS FOR HIMSELF.

Often our psychological issues manifest as physical pain because we are afraid of what is to come and do not wish to face it. Pain in the knees is often associated with fear of moving ahead or forward in life. But also being overweight will cause that strain so may I suggest investing in some good running shoes and knee braces might help. But he has to want it....several of you mentioned it's a mental attitude that will get him through this and I completely agree. It's amazing what we can do when we put our minds to it. I've done some pretty incredible things and gotten through some really tough times mentally and emotionally that I never thought I could, but I did because I had to.

I would venture to guess that this person has had a difficult time committing or sticking to anything in their life and by getting out of this at this time I am concerned it will perpetuate this behavior pattern and attitude that he can just quit when he wants to if he doesn't like something. Running from one thing to the next to the next but it will never be what he's really seeking. It's not realistic because life just isn't like that. We have to do many things we don't want to do but have to. He signed and made a committment and he should, in my opinion, find some way to accept the consequences of his decision and accept that he need's to get himself physically and mentally ready for BCT.

I'm curious as to why he signed up in the first place? Money, escape, training, get on his feet, etc. Didn't the recruiter prepare him? Didn't he view the video on this site? Irregardless, giving up is not an option. Does he always want to be a quitter? That is a question he needs to answer... is he a quitter or is he a man? Does he respect himself and others? There are many options after BCT...but EVERYONE has to go through BCT no matter what MOS you select. Perhaps that will give him some solice that he is not alone in this. Don't let fear stop you. There is nothing to fear but fear itself....how's that for a platitude? :) But if in the end this is truly not what he wants for his life, he has another path he wants to take action and joining was just a huge mistake.... then better to get out now.

[gsrtonv]

I've been reading all these replies and some are supportive, some are harsh, and some are pretty much calling him names for wanting to get out. Military people are a very different breed from most of the population. They are very devoted and committed to their branch and enjoy the team atmosphere, comradere and being depended on to serve and protect not only the country but each other. The military is not for everyone, but trying to guilt the guy isn't going to work either. Guilting someone into doing something you want them to do never works long term because they are doing it for someone else not themselves. HE HAS TO WANT THIS FOR HIMSELF.

Often our psychological issues manifest as physical pain because we are afraid of what is to come and do not wish to face it. Pain in the knees is often associated with fear of moving ahead or forward in life. But also being overweight will cause that strain so may I suggest investing in some good running shoes and knee braces might help. But he has to want it....several of you mentioned it's a mental attitude that will get him through this and I completely agree. It's amazing what we can do when we put our minds to it. I've done some pretty incredible things and gotten through some really tough times mentally and emotionally that I never thought I could, but I did because I had to.

I would venture to guess that this person has had a difficult time committing or sticking to anything in their life and by getting out of this at this time I am concerned it will perpetuate this behavior pattern and attitude that he can just quit when he wants to if he doesn't like something. Running from one thing to the next to the next but it will never be what he's really seeking. It's not realistic because life just isn't like that. We have to do many things we don't want to do but have to. He signed and made a committment and he should, in my opinion, find some way to accept the consequences of his decision and accept that he need's to get himself physically and mentally ready for BCT.

I'm curious as to why he signed up in the first place? Money, escape, training, get on his feet, etc. Didn't the recruiter prepare him? Didn't he view the video on this site? Irregardless, giving up is not an option. Does he always want to be a quitter? That is a question he needs to answer... is he a quitter or is he a man? Does he respect himself and others? There are many options after BCT...but EVERYONE has to go through BCT no matter what MOS you select. Perhaps that will give him some solice that he is not alone in this. Don't let fear stop you. There is nothing to fear but fear itself....how's that for a platitude? :) But if in the end this is truly not what he wants for his life, he has another path he wants to take action and joining was just a huge mistake.... then better to get out now.

I agree completely. I have only quit one thing in my life and to this day I regret it. I made a vow to myself since then to finish anything I start........not matter how hard. Since then I have never quit anything else and it makes you feel good as a person. The bottom line is........sometimes in life we just have to own up to our commitments. When you signed that bottom line and it said 6 years or whatever then you should have said to yourself then for 6 years I will do whatever it takes or whatever they ask of me. That is why I never agree to anything until I am really sure that I can live with what is asked cause as soon as I sign my name...........it's on.

[GoGoGuardGirl64]

Go to this article Getting Out of the Military

http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/generalinfo/a/getout.htm

[buckethead]

I need help getting out. I can no longer handle the psychological and physical pain anymore. I haven't left for basic yet and i don't want to. So can someone please help me before i do something stupid.
Jan gave you some really sound advice dont know jans history but from the advice given good leadership and motovation.Now On to why I am even replying my story.Im 38 yrs old been out for 10 years smoked a pack and a half cigs a day 45 pounds over wieght and just re enlisted as a mp You want to talk about a hard road ahead ,I started out by quitting the cigs and then walking 1 mile and running 1 mile . Its real hard gasping for air in between puking every time i ran for the first week .My knees where killing me I purchased running shoes and guess what they no longer hurt at all.The first time I timed my run was 15min 36 seconds its only been 1 month and I have lost wieght I now can run 11:00 flat ! mile I know I have to run a 9min I will not quit untill I do DONT BE A QUITTER never say I cant cant means you wont and I no Know you can drive on get your a** out side move walk hike anything helps .

[zhukov]

It's not about violence, it's not about motovation, it's not about weather or not you can do something. It's about a common thread, something that each and every one of us share.

Brotherhood