How Recruits Get Dropped in Marine Bootcamp 

Since ya'll got a bunch of these fitness questions. Check one of my other Marine's fitness channel(body builder). He just started, so give him time to upload those videos, just wanted to give you guys another source. Enjoy Fuckers! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-LSPBtRq_mA8.html

I just got out of boot camp Sept 10th, we started with 110, graduated with 80. trust me, all you have to do is not stop, move fast and believe in yourself.

Never tell them that you feel like passing out

Do your shit, stay away from medical, and move fast. It's not designed for you to fail. All you have to do is do what you are told. Don't even worry about getting dropped or RSP. The only way to end up there is by you putting yourself there.

I found this really motivating, I'm glad my recruiter makes us P.T.

The first 2 words in this video are the best.

PCP ... Pork Chop Platoon, baby!!! I remember some of those recruits cycling into our platoon during 2nd and 3rd phase. Gotta hand it to them, they put up with a lot of shit to stay in boot camp for an extra month or two to finally become Marines.

These reasons for drops are interesting to me. I am a Retired Gunny ( 1973-1994 ). Because of number of Marines being killed in Vietnam, they were glad to have every body they could get. We had one guy that got sent to PCP because he could not do even one pull-up. But we had 4, yes 4 guys that could not read or write. How scary is that. Because I was ignorant enough to admit to the DI's that I had A's in high school English, I was tasked with ensuring they could pass the GED by the time we graduated. This was achieved by us studying in the head after taps, as ordered by the DI's. I was really proud of them for accomplishing this in addition to all the other challenges of boot camp. They all graduated with us on time.

My free advice before going to boot camp is anyone can do the physical part it’s the mental. You have to want it for yourself. As for fitness just do 3 pulls ups, feet must dangle, chin must pass the bar, it’s not that bad. Best way to practice is a pyramid. Do your crunches and as for run time don’t think about the run, think cadence when you run, swing your arms, think there’s my end point and I’m going to go for it, don’t worry who’s next to you, it’s your run time. Boot camp isn’t that bad, if I can do it you can, just remember, your Drill Instructor is there to train you, they are not your parents.

i went to recruiters, and 14 days later i was standing on the yellow footprints, but im a Texan. We are born running, and shooting shit. Oorah

Thanks man this actually brings a different perspective for boot camp.

As an old fart Marine who graduated Parris Island 40 years ago, I am glad young Devil Dog Bucks are doing what you do. Giving potential recruits an idea of what to expect, and how to make it. Semper Fi, Devil Dog.

This is some of the best advice I've seen on RU-vid, particularly the advise about being physically fit. If you don't have a gym, don't worry! Grab a $20 pull up bar from anywhere, run, push ups and crunches. You really want to master the pullups, though, and be able to to AT LEAST 10 like the video says. I think the minimum is like 3 or 5, but that is not good enough. You will need be able to lift your body on many of the obstacles and confidence courses and so on, so be prepared!

It was good to give those who failed final inspection on first try a second opportunity. Luckily, the 4 men from our platoon passed on second try. Thank you, Captain Charles!

I'm fresh outta boot camp, graduated Sep. 13th. I never got dropped but I knew a lot of kids who did. Some got dropped from swim qual, one kid from my platoon failed on the rifle range and got dropped, and two kids from my platoon got dropped right before the crucible because they failed the final PFT. They just couldn't do pull ups. Overall, as long as you try you're best (and you're able to stay healthy!) You shouldn't worry about getting dropped. It's gonna be tough no matter what but you won't be dropped as long as you give it your all. Semper Fi brothers.

Being a prior DI, this is pretty accurate. I always told my kids the same shit that the fastest way off the depot is graduation.

If you want to survive the physical part of boot camp, start running for one year Start off running one mile. By the end of the year, you should be running 5-6 miles a day every other day. If you do that, you will make it through boot camp. The pull ups and sit ups will come. It's the constant running and humping that will destroy you physically, especially if you go to San Diego where you're humping mountains and not doing those Parris Island Sunday walks in the park humps.

My platoon, 1041, D. Company; started training 16 March 1999. We had over 100 recruits then. The squad bay was almost full. After day 1, 5 guys got admin sep'd for some legal issues that were not taken care of by their recruiters. 1 guy got dropped for a gang tattoo that he did not disclose to his recruiter. Then people got dropped after swim qual, then the range, then we lost one during the crucible (he got injured). We graduated on 04 June 1999 with 39 originals, plus one recycled recruit from MRP. So 40 total. Its survival of the fittest out there, and all about how bad you want it. Because, after boot camp, the real test is finishing out your enlistment honorably, if you only plan to do one tour.

"Sup Fuckers!" *Subscribe*

We had a lot of pick ups in my platoon from FRP (female readiness platoon), and other platoons. But initially we had 74 girls, dropped to 59, and added back up to 63. Some of them”quit” and were sent to FRP, others were sent to FRP due to injury, others for failing events. I’ve seen one girl get dropped from training day 46 to training day 5 because she couldn’t run. Pass all of the events, don’t try to quit, it won’t work, and be mentally and physically fit and you’ll be fine.

Yeah this is no joke! I went to USMC boot in 2015. By phase 3 my legs had grade 2 and 3 stress fracture up and down the tibias. It hurt but I definitely didn’t think it was big enough of a deal to get dropped for. It was extremely frustrating to get dropped on TD 53 out of 60 training days! The coreman and doctor wouldn’t send me on the crucible after that because they said “with the amount of stress fractures you have your shin bones are going to snap clean through.” So no joke, don’t show pain, express pain, or talk about pain. Lesson learned. I would’ve rather pushed through and broken my bones than be dropped for an injury I can’t see. It just went downhill from there. That FRP platoon was just stupid and depressing.

The D.I.'s were doing that "stand up, sit down, stand up, sit down" game they liked to do. A guy in my platoon stood up and said,. "Sir, this recruit is not standing up and sitting down anymore!" We never saw him again.....

I couldn’t run 3 miles upon arrival I just made sure I ran a mile in a half to the best of my ability and I made it just fine, and got even better over time

I am actually shipping this Monday. I am very skinny and I am only making the weight by about 5 pounds. Though my IST is decent. 18 Pull-ups, 90 crunches, and my 1.5 mile is 9:50. I plan on trying as hard as I can. I refuse to quit until the very end.

I know this video is a bot older but this really helps me out. My time till bootcamp is narrowing down and I keep getting more and more scared about my abilities. 6:24 My wrists are terrible and I cannot do nearly as many pullups as every else because of this. You saying you had to deal with it and it was all good... makes it so I can sleep tonight. Thank you man. Also. I will be in bootcamp by the end of this month.

My son was in Parris Island and loved it. His platoon was the only one with 3 gunny sergeants. He's getting out in 2 months as a full corporal. They offered him a 3rd stripe to stay in. He's done well. I'm proud of all who have, are, and will serve in the corp.

I received my Eagle, globe and anchor in 1967 and they can never take that title away from me! And I'm proud to have served Vietnam and the other things that happend! I'm now 74 years old and being a Marine never leaves your heart, mind and spirit! I have memories galore! Thanks for encouraging others to stick it out!

Hey bro just wanted to say this video inspired me especially from 6:30- the end. I leave tomorrow for boot camp and this just got me pumped to push through all the tough shit

I feel that it’s much more mental determination than anything. When I went a was a damn pork chop and failed the IST. lucky my senior liked me and kept me from going to PCP. I nearly failed the initial pft and CFT. But you just gotta push through. It’s a mind game and once you figure that out you’ll be fine. The kids who think too much and don’t live Day to day, chow to chow, are the ones who get dropped. They’ll get you in shape, it’s up to you if you really want it

Dude is just lowkey flexing his rifle and handgun in the background

Nice video man, I graduated MCRD San Diego back in 2002. This brings back a lot of memories, good stuff dude. Semper Fi!

If any of you want to got to OCS in the future do anything it takes not to fail or hurt yourself, because you don't get dropped, you get sent home, and that is much worse than picking up later in training. Also... The story about the new Marine "fucking around during the Battalion Commander's Inspection and getting dropped to phase 1" is about as old as Tun Tavern, although it is a pretty good deterrent. My PLT during boot camp was a fight club, and no one got kicked out of boot camp lol

Thanks for posting. We dropped two guys, because they were always fighting.

This coronavirus is fucking my physique up. I was doing well training at my recruiting station with the Recruiters and poolees. But without motivation by someone, I don't do anything. Thanks to this video tho, im gonna go run on a bit.

I had a friend who went into boot camp and was dropped. She told me some people were dropped for smiling too much. Another her grandmother died and although she was fine they assumed she wasn’t mentally ready so she was dropped. Her recruiter also wasn’t really there and didn’t train her physically. Edit: also it’s a lot easier for girls to get dropped and just be sent home as there possibly isn’t another platoon for them to go into. (Not enough girls). Sucks 😭 you are able to try again after 6 months though!

Depending on your circumstances for being dropped, your time in RSP goes by at a fair pace. I was in RSP for about two weeks before I was shipped back home. During our time they assigned us to work detail such as helping the civilian workers in the warehouse or custodial duties. As for the type of discharge you are given, once again it depends on the circumstances of why you are being dropped. My DD214 lists me as "Uncharacterized" and my type of separation is labeled as "Entry-level separation" As for this following you around or being a mark on your permanent record I can only speak for myself and say that I have answered no to any paperwork that I fill out when asked if I served and that is simply because it's true, I never did.

Most recruits from our platoon got dropped from the range. They were safety violators. It could have been easily avoided tho.

Exercise the fuck out of your body and never give up in boot camp. Put your heart and soul on everything you do always!

This was a good question I hadn't heard before thanks!

This helps me alot even if the video is from 2017. this will help me out alot when i get to bootcamp. im a poolee at the moment and when i first became a poolee i was hella motivated. this video just made me more motivated. i understand now that i must suffer through it and know what the pain will be like in bootcamp. this will help me out more than anything else

I earned the title with an %85 broken left tibia. After graduation, I had to come back to MCRD San Diego as a “Maroot.” I spent 3 months on the Depot, as a boot Marine, because I was injured. And as much as that sucked, getting dropped would’ve sucked balls so much more.

Thank you for making this! I am leaving for boot tomorrow

Thank you. I’m thinking of enlisting into the marines, and this video was very informative 👍

Thankyou young oorah , i love the marines but went in the navy seabees in 74 and when i look baack and till this day ( im 64 yrs young) i wish i haad went in the marines! Thankyou for your service and it still gives me hope for this country that theyre are still young men such as yourself that have pride in themselves and the corp! Thanks man and my respect to all young recriuts that are in the marines now andin the future! ! Alan

As somebody who wasn't the most physically fit person when I went to boot camp not being dropped was kept me going. I was not going to spend one extra day in boot camp and I did it, I never got dropped and graduated on time. As far as being over or under weight goes, you can stay with your platoon and not get dropped, I think you just have to manage to keep up with the PT to do so though. Also, if you are over or under weight you will be "helped" along to gain or lose that weight by either being required to say either "double rat" orr "diet rat" when going through the chow line, when you say that the people serving the food will be required to either give you double the normal portions (and you'll be be expected to eat every last bite, or so I've heard) or get smaller portions and/or no/fewer carbs and other fatty foods. Actually, I think that if you don't gain or lose weight by a certain amount time despite being on double or half rats that might be what prompts the DIs to drop you to PCP. Physical fitness is another way to get dropped, if you fail your PFTs (Physical Fitness Tests) then you will get dropped to PCP where you will spend pretty much all of your time PTing and working out until you're in good enough shape to pass your PFTs/PT sessions. Don't quote me on this but I imagine that constantly dropping from humps will get you dropped as well.

This gives me confidence

love your past 2 vlogs waiting for that camp vlog

your channel is very informative. many thnx. keep up the good work!

Yeah my recruiter was like you’re good to go to MEPS I was like hell no physically Im not ready I will get smoked everyday at boot camp I’ll rather go when I’m fully in shape. It’s mostly my pull up I struggle with

Its okay to quit or get dropped amd even leave the marines. You can bounce back from quitting the marines. Not ideal but at that age...the world is open. Many people have dropped then gone to college and become succesful people.

This will stick to my head until recruit training maybe even after

FYI THIS DUDE GOT DROPPED BECAUSE HIS DRILL INSTRUCTOR SAID OPEN YOUR EYES....HE NEVER DID

When I was there in 2000 if you didn’t leave the first day you can’t get dropped. Unless you piss your pants that worked for one winner . The other one was laying on the ground playing dead that worked for another winner . Believe me I’ve seen private piles . And seen a kid run on the rifle range . Seen a recruit sneak away and get lost in the swamp lol .

If you get dropped and do not graduate, as long as you didn't get kicked out for hot piss, you have what is called an "Entry Level Separation" - it is neither honoroable nor dishonorable, it is not technically a discharge, it is a separation. The gov't basically just says "nope" and drops you. You don't get the call yourself a vet (obviously) but you do have a DD214 and the whole nine. There are a bunch of codes that specify exactly which type of ELS you have and you may or may not be eligible for re-enlistment. How I know? I listened to my recruiter and did not disclose that I had asthma. It was discovered and I have an ELS for fraud (I forget the code), so I am permanently ineligible for re-enlistment in any military branch.

Your videos help so much 😩💗💗

Being discharge early in boot camp would result in a Entry Level Separation. Depending on the code on the discharge paper may be eligible to re enlist but require a waiver. As long it's not a RE4 or something.

I got dropped was sent to rsp, rsp is like receiving week..you just kinda sit around for a week until they get the paper work done to get your travel arrangements done. I tried it,wasnt for me best of luck to all the other pooles, boot camp is nuts. The best experssion for boot camp is, you cant explain to someone unless they have been there..so true.!

I almost got dropped to Medical Rehabilitation Platoon. I had 4 wisdom teeth pulled and spent the rest of the day in bed resting drinking ensure, then my DI told me I missed vital training that day, if I missed another day there was talk of being sent to MRP and resuming training later. I told him I was ready to train. Screw that light duty chit. The next morning was boxing and continued training. Blood sweat n tears. Yea buddy, don't ever give up.

RSP - Recruit separation platoon : I got medically dropped in bootcamp, went to MHU, I was only in the RSP for 3 weeks and pretty much, you give back all the essential military stuff, boots and stuff… We pretty much watched movies, showered, and went to chow… then eventually it’s your turn to leave and they get you your plane /bus ticket and everything

Just got out, July 28th Parris Island..... It's all mental, just pay attention and shut your mouth and do it lightning fast. Also another thing is work as a team don't be an individual. The physical training isn't bad just don't let it get to your head. If you work hard enough and the drill instructors notice it you might get meritoriously promoted

Ah yes, I remember - we had recruits that were on half ration at the chow hall, and some that were on double ration. Both were miserable. This kid is right - punch through it and it'll become a big part of who you are!

I was in RSP/PCP. It’s basically a depressing ass group of people that were either lazy, didn’t wanna be there, failed purposely, popped, etc. Yes you work until your paperwork is done, and your code depends on what you got dropped for (out of your platoon) fighting, lying, injuries, etc. Me personally, I was broken coming back home last year. & I’m lucky enough to even go back.

“If You Can't Fly Then Run, If You Can't Run Then Walk, If You Can't Walk Then Crawl, but Whatever You Do You Have to Keep Moving Forward.” - Martin Luther King Jr. Greatest quote hands down kept me going through the tough times during basic training. Good day!

You Right about that!!!! Semper Fi..Past , Present , Future!!!!

you started with 110 and graduated 90? we started with 88 in my platoon in 76 and graduated 33. things must have gotten easier.

I fell in love with the marine corps when I was 6 when my grandfather who was a marine told me about it. I’ve grown up without a doubt in my mind that I will be a marine (not saying it’s going to be easy just saying that I wasnt going to quit). I’ve grown up always telling friends and family that I was going to be a marine. I’ve got about a year left before I’m going to enlist and I’ve gained a lot of weight 150 at 5,4 but I’ve started working out again lifting weights and I’ve been running just about 3 miles a day. So yeah there’s no turning back now, full throttle until I’m a marine! Update: 5,6 at 150 but I’ve traded most of my fat for muscle feeling a lot better been lifting 6 days a week and running 3-4 days a week. I’m coming into my senior year and as I get closer to enlistment time I’m feeling a lot more confident. I just gotta keep my head down and stay on the grind for 7 more months!

Went thru P.I. In 1976 we started with 90 and graduated 50 it is not easy you have to stay focused you have a lot coming at you in a short period of time ended up being an 0341 for me I did not appreciate it till later on in life, that not everyone can be a Marine Semper Fi

Thanks for this! Shipping out in 2 days! #motivated

Ok my neighbors and I went in on the buddy program . Recruiters lied their ass off to both of us . My neighbor would have been fine in the army or Air Force but the marines broke him. He had no upper body strength. He had a weak bladder and pissed his pants a lot . He got recycled three times and made it within days of graduation but ended up quitting after his third motivation recycle . They gave him a c I g courtesy of government discharge which turned into an honorable discharge in six months. He went home and committed suicide. The funeral was so sad. I told him when I got home 90 percent of people wouldn’t ha e tried as hard as him and would’ve quit sooner. He was so embarrassed . I tried calling him marine but he was so ashamed. Our re ruitwr should’ve known he wasn’t usmc material but they’re just worried about their fucking numbers that’s all. I still feel terrible for him and his family r I o Brian Anderson . To me you’re a marine like me brother.

Joining Delayed entry next week, Im 6'2" and 180 but i have nearly 8 months to prepare, running and crunches dont seem to be hard but the pull ups are gonna be the thing to kill me since im relatively skinny.

Very inspiring man!

Awesome advice! Thank you

Physical fitness is obviously important but memorizing your basic knowledge before you get there is crucial if you want to be a possible honor graduate . After your initial PT test Not long after we met our drill instructors, I’ve heard about nightmare slow process but everything was fast during my time . And when you go to MCT or Itb don’t go to the base early they will put you to work. I was lucky my cabbie was a sergeant major retired and told me go to hotel you don’t have to report for two days and I took his word and he was 100% correct. I called the base from my big blue Nokia cell phone from 2000 and found out my true day to report . Kind of sucks because I could’ve stayed home 1day extra . But I did get to see the movie gladiator for the first time in the small movie theater in town . And I swear every marine around the base had a Mustang back then

I was in great shape, 110 or so sit-ups, 80:pushups, 3 miles in 23 minutes, etc but got dropped for two reasons. My left foot could never hit the deck the same time as everyone else and then got cellulitis on my ankle and could walk for about 4 days.

Thank you for the advice!

I was literally one of those fat bodies that went through. Got fucked with alot just for my weight. Yet, I got through and became a marine by giving it all I could. It was the best and worst 13 weeks of my life and truly appreciate eveything my DI's taught me and pushed me to be better.

My dad was dropped for inguries. TWICE. And was stuck in boot camp for 8 months. But his injuries were serious.

Learn how to swim .Do push-ups at night to get ahead.Pay close attention at the rifle range Stay motivated regardless of anything and you will make it through.I spent 8 years as a Marine.

Thank you for the good advices.

Thanks for the vid man I leave Monday!

I passed out once, and collapsed several times in bootcamp. I was hydrated and healthy. Furthermore I couldn’t stop shaking. And It was hard to hear or see anything. Was told I had an anxiety disorder, which I “inherited” from my grandma. They sent me home. I’m now in a depressive state. Unable to figure out what to do next. I had my heart set onto the Marine Corps all my life. It took me so long to get into shape. And now I feel like I have no purpose. What good am I if I fail to function?

When I enlisted (1985) there wasn't any type of physical training with recruiters. I believe they gave each enlistee a manual explaining what was expected of you to pass the IST, etc. I don't believe it's the recruiters fault if the recruit isn't up to snuff when entering. Most people enter the DEP which gives you enough time to get yourself into shape to at least pass the IST. I witnessed two incidents during training where recruits wanted out. On PI, we had a recruit who refused to train. The Senior DI gave him numerous orders but he didn't comply. In a few minutes, two MPs came rushing into the squad bay, pushed the recruit onto the wall and cuffed him. The other happened at ITS. A Marine shot himself in his foot. He was still limping around Camp Geiger when we graduated. In fact, we started off with 99 recruits and graduated with 47. So yes, the quickest way off the Island is to graduate Semper Fi!

Hey just to keep it up to date for boot you have to run an IST the first week and thats a huge drop for marines. 5 pull ups. 80 crunches and 1230 mile and a half run.

I went thru Marine boot on Parris Island in '74 ...Back then there was no poolee stuff, but I would say generally the average population of teen boys was thinner and in better shape than the average of today. Regardless the recruiters certainly pushed the boundaries with overweight recruits sometimes...I had a couple in my platoon that got dropped and/or sent to Physical Conditioning Platoon (aka as the fat body platoon). I would say by far though most of our drops were just recruits cracking under the stress that was a part of Marine boot back in the day. My Platoon started with 77 recruits, and we graduated 44. Our drops started the very first night after pickup (Receiving was a real hell hole when I was there, with open torture/pain infliction being the norm) Pickup day just got even worse...it was a very humiliating and stressful day and at lights out I am laying in my rack thinking Wow, there is NFW I can deal with that for 13 weeks, what the F have I gotten myself into. I finally calmed myself and decided, Hey let's just get a good night's sleep and then try to deal with what happens in the morning. Just as I am starting to drift off I hear a blood curdling scream and see a figure run by my rack down the middle of the squad bay...BANG!!! He runs right into the heavy metal squad bay door at the back of the barracks. Then he runs the length of the squad bay, still screaming and BANG!!! runs into the other squad bay door. By now the lights are on and the three DI's are out, two still dressed and one in his tee and boxers with his Campaign Cover on (years later when I saw Full Metal Jacket the scene where Gomer is in the head with the M-14 and the DI comes in dressed the same way really brought me back to PI). They run down to the squad bay door and it looks like a cartoon fight where all you see is a ball of fist and feet and heads. The recruit who cracked was a big guy and he definitely fought back but the DI's beat the crap out of him and the dragged him away. The Sr. DI that was still in his skivvies just yelled, everybody back in your racks (a few people had gotten out but I had just stayed put) and Fuckin Stay there!!! I thought to myself, Well welcome to Parris Island...for some reason it kind of settled me to see someone crack, like I was handling it better than him. It was a feeling that carried through boot back in the day...you hated the non hackers and loved to see those worse off than you.

I graduated in 1995 only 1 recruit in my platoon got dropped and I was happy to find out he graduated several weeks later with a different platoon. We lost two guys along the way, one was just a complete loser and quit in early first phase, the second guy was one of our squad leaders and a JROTC guy. It really came out of the blue. He was kicking ass but I guess he lost the fire inside. I think it’s best to think of recruit training like a really bad sports camp. Embrace the suck.

Dude I love the intro "sup fuckers"

Thank you!!! I’m about to join!!

My brother just left to boot camp yesterday I wish him the best of luck

In all five branches, the quickest way to get out of boot camp is to graduate.

Thank you all Marines

I love how you said “hey fuckers” in the beginning

I'm new to your channel but I plan to go to the Marines as well and thanks for you imformation

i'm maybe danish but i wanted to fight for USMC since i was little and with little i mean around 3. i have nearly given up many times to many things but i pushed through.

In the Marines you don't have to do 10 pull-ups and 100 crunches.The minimum are 3 pull-ups and 44 crunches.

Thank you for your service...

We lost a bunch when I went to boot camp back in the early 80s, I really didn't pay it much mind. I don't think we lost many from ITS, but we lost a bunch when I attended the Basic Recon Class.

Who else likes the vid before you watch it

WTF!? Back in 1994, we had to pass a FULL PFT at MEPS, before shipping to Boot!!!

I got dropped for pneumonia at San Diego. Started bootcamp in January. Got dropped a day before 2nd phase. Was held back for an entire month. Didn’t graduate until May. And the sick platoon is a black hole. Everyone there is trying to get kicked out of boot camp at that point. PT was self-pt, as in we paced ourselves. I was the only recruit actually running during our 30 minutes a day PT allotment.

I think I’ll be mentally fine since I always got yelled at as a kid and my household was just loud most of the time. I just gotta be physically ready which I am focusing on now.