Think You Have What It Takes

[tyler311]

currently 17 and im not to sure about the air force, either way im going to serve my country, even if it kills me

[danausmc]

Tyler,
Swimming is to teach you basic drownproofing skills. There are different techniques for floaters and sinkers. If you can't swim you will be taught basic swimming skills. Its not hard. You will also learn how to jump in the water from a high platform with out hurting yourself. You will have a pack on, and rifle in your hands.
The gas chamber is designed to make sure you learn to properly put your gas mask on and check for leaks. You and twenty four others go into a closed room with a stove in the center. The instructor places a gas pellet in the stove and the heat releases a cloud of gas. You check for leaks. now if you have a properly fitted mask, you will not smell anything so ....one by one...each of you will get the opportunity to remove your mask so you can recognize the smell in case of an attack. Each of you will get a chance to give your name rank and service number. Then when that is over you all sing the Marine Corps Hymn and if by some chance you should forget a word or two you will be given the opportunity to dance and sing "mary had a little lamb" or some other kiddie song. (The dancing is difficult because of all the puke on the deck.) Eventually you will be let out. here is the most important part. Make sure you pay attention and do what you are told. The instructor will tell you to hit the hatch running and make sure you do. Run as far and fast as you can because it will clear your lungs. Don't stumble out the door and start flopping around on the grass. If you do you will be gagging the rest of the day as you continue your training. It may be a little unpleasant, but so is getting killed if you are not prepared.

[tyler311]

Thank you so much ill keep all this in mind, im glad im hearing it from you

[paratrooper's daughter]

I have 5 children one in college (pre-vet) and 2 headed there this comming fall. The next son in line, has his mind made up that he wants to join the Marines and follow in his grandfather's foot steps. I insist that I do not think that he would be accepted because he was born with only one kidney. He insists that no one would ever know that unless they were told, and if they don't ask there would be no reason to tell. I would be concerned that he would get in there, and it would come out that he was not completely forthcoming in his medical diclosure. It would then come back to bite him in the %##. I really think that if you have a medical condition that could endanger you life, that it would be pertinant for people to know this. We wouldn't even let the boy play football for fear that he would get hit in that one kidney, and then he would be sunk. He does wrestle and is a hard worker otherwise. But I am under the impression that the military would be too concerned of the risk of a trauma to his only kidney.
I suggested that he plan on going to college first and see if there was a position in the military afterwards for him. He replied that he didn't think that it was the wise way to go about it, since the military will pay for college if you enlist first. What advice would you give this boy and his mom?
BTW: We have had different recruiters call for the other boys, representing several branches of the armed services, and most did not know or simply stated that he would not be accepted wfen they were presented with the question if he would be accepted.