Pull ups and Stress Cards
I've been hearing more and more often about the adjustments and changes going on in the military. There will always be things I don't understand and I'm not claiming that I believe the government needs to answer to ME for anything. I'm just naturally a logical thinker and some stuff doesn't add up.
For example, while waiting for our flight to return home back in December, Jeff and I stumbled across an article posted online about how the pull-up requirements for women during Marine Corps' boot camp is planned to change in the near future. In a different recent article written just after the first of the year, found on military.com, it stated "55 percent of women at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., could not perform three pull-ups...". The part that bothers me about this whole thing is the fact that the response to such research is apparently to go soft and basically make it not so hard for women. Are you kidding me??!!
Women: If you think you have what it takes to be a Marine, then suck it up, train harder and do what it takes! They're called "the few, the proud..." for a reason. It's not about some argument on "men are better than women" (though unfortunately small minded individuals will make that argument regardless), and it's not about being ruthless for the sake of being ruthless. I know for a sure fact women can do a minimum of 3 pull-ups, I see it at the gym all the time. The gym!! As in, recreational work out-not physical rehab for Olympians! I don't think it's asking to much of you to do 3 pull ups in order to call yourself a Marine! The fact you even enlisted as a Marine without checking yourself is surprising. If you don't have what it takes to defend this nation, be it mentally or physically, then do something else. You will not be thought less of because you chose to move out of the way for people who could meet the mark. And if people do judge you as a "weaker species" it doesn't make it true and you don't have to live that way. Just don't contribute to what's lowering the bar because you ran out of tampons or something. I'm pretty sure those luxuries and TIs yelling in your face at boot camp will be welcomed if you are to (God forbid) ever find yourself in enemy territory fighting for your life. Hint: being able to do a pull up may just save your life or someone else - just a thought...
Perhaps many will think it harsh of me to be so outspoken toward my own kind. But really, the WHOLE POINT of having a military is to be able to serve, protect, defend, fight, etc. if/when necessary. It just completely baffles me how we have become this nation of lowering requirements and standards because the people who are unequipped (or not yet equipped) to meet a challenge say "it's too hard" or "I can't". And many times it's not just women. A friend of ours recently informed me that the Air Force's basic training is now only 6 weeks with the bonus of "stress cards"! Not that you can't get a lot of training done in 6 weeks, of course. I only wonder if it'll eventually get to a point where the only thing the enlisted must do is sign a paper ensuring they aren't crazy, after which they'll receive a pat on the back followed by "Good luck!". Okay, I'm exaggerating. That scenario would probably never happen. But less time training with a bonus of this new thing called "stress cards"?!? Did you enlist for summer camp or are you a soldier? Come. On.
What happened to "...home of the brave..."? Did it not occur to anyone that being "brave" often starts in basic training/boot camp? The people who have fought the wars to defend this country and those who may go before us will not have the option to face their opponent and say, "Ya know, I'm feeling stressed. I'm tired and I don't much care for your attitude today so here's my 'card'; let's just resume tomorrow." If I was a TI and someone handed me a stress card I would be sure to bring someone experienced to the forefront of my class and have THEM explain what REAL stress is.
Again, I hate to say it, but I'm of the group that thinks America is getting soft. (Not everyone is but in general, yes.) All this whining about how "my TI called me derogatory names and it hurt my feelings..." No offense, but get over it. You think foreign oppositions targeting us aren't saying much worse in a different language? Sadly, even horrible things happen on our own soil which we must fight that if spoken in boot camp would break your heart for others-never mind your precious ego. I don't care what color you are, what partner in life you choose, what religious beliefs you hold, YOU ARE CAPABLE of handling someone screaming whatever they want at you while you do some push ups (or heaven forbid ladies, pull-ups) in the mud and rain. It is YOU who choose what you allow to offend you. In fact, chances are you may never see that training instructor again, and it's not like they know you personally-so who cares what they say? Just tolerate it or tune them out while you focus on the task at hand. I would think the whole point of them being jerk is for a purpose - to distract you. If you're allowing that then I guess they're doing their job well while you've got some work to do. So work harder.
Like I said, whoever believes in what this nation is founded on and thinks they have what it takes then step up and, I don't know, raise the bar! (What a radical idea it would seem...) Stop challenging each other and the people who are trying to make you mentally/physically capable and challenge the enemy with how good you are! Because the more you cry from day one, the more they're going to laugh, and the more YOU are going to contribute to a softer nation. It is NOT about YOU. It's about team work.
I will add that I'm aware some TIs and those in charge probably do take too many liberties (depending on the person) during training and also allow for their own personal beliefs to get in the way of how they conduct the weeks ahead. In which case, the hell in which you're already going through is probably worse if you're singled out all the time, etc, etc. Of course, I can't really do anything about those TIs either. I'm not saying that all of those ever appointed as a TI were good TIs...Lord knows many have crossed a line. But in terms of general "boot camp sucks/ my TI is mean" topics, my initial thought again is that there are probably worse situations to be in, like being a POW or something. In which case, again, why does one choose to care SO much about being picked on during boot camp? It's the weeding out phase for a reason. At the end of the day, it's still just a mind over matter thing. Easier said than done, I know. But these are my thoughts and opinions. Take them or leave them - either way, my personal "fighting" position is on my knees for this country as a whole.
For example, while waiting for our flight to return home back in December, Jeff and I stumbled across an article posted online about how the pull-up requirements for women during Marine Corps' boot camp is planned to change in the near future. In a different recent article written just after the first of the year, found on military.com, it stated "55 percent of women at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., could not perform three pull-ups...". The part that bothers me about this whole thing is the fact that the response to such research is apparently to go soft and basically make it not so hard for women. Are you kidding me??!!
Women: If you think you have what it takes to be a Marine, then suck it up, train harder and do what it takes! They're called "the few, the proud..." for a reason. It's not about some argument on "men are better than women" (though unfortunately small minded individuals will make that argument regardless), and it's not about being ruthless for the sake of being ruthless. I know for a sure fact women can do a minimum of 3 pull-ups, I see it at the gym all the time. The gym!! As in, recreational work out-not physical rehab for Olympians! I don't think it's asking to much of you to do 3 pull ups in order to call yourself a Marine! The fact you even enlisted as a Marine without checking yourself is surprising. If you don't have what it takes to defend this nation, be it mentally or physically, then do something else. You will not be thought less of because you chose to move out of the way for people who could meet the mark. And if people do judge you as a "weaker species" it doesn't make it true and you don't have to live that way. Just don't contribute to what's lowering the bar because you ran out of tampons or something. I'm pretty sure those luxuries and TIs yelling in your face at boot camp will be welcomed if you are to (God forbid) ever find yourself in enemy territory fighting for your life. Hint: being able to do a pull up may just save your life or someone else - just a thought...
Perhaps many will think it harsh of me to be so outspoken toward my own kind. But really, the WHOLE POINT of having a military is to be able to serve, protect, defend, fight, etc. if/when necessary. It just completely baffles me how we have become this nation of lowering requirements and standards because the people who are unequipped (or not yet equipped) to meet a challenge say "it's too hard" or "I can't". And many times it's not just women. A friend of ours recently informed me that the Air Force's basic training is now only 6 weeks with the bonus of "stress cards"! Not that you can't get a lot of training done in 6 weeks, of course. I only wonder if it'll eventually get to a point where the only thing the enlisted must do is sign a paper ensuring they aren't crazy, after which they'll receive a pat on the back followed by "Good luck!". Okay, I'm exaggerating. That scenario would probably never happen. But less time training with a bonus of this new thing called "stress cards"?!? Did you enlist for summer camp or are you a soldier? Come. On.
What happened to "...home of the brave..."? Did it not occur to anyone that being "brave" often starts in basic training/boot camp? The people who have fought the wars to defend this country and those who may go before us will not have the option to face their opponent and say, "Ya know, I'm feeling stressed. I'm tired and I don't much care for your attitude today so here's my 'card'; let's just resume tomorrow." If I was a TI and someone handed me a stress card I would be sure to bring someone experienced to the forefront of my class and have THEM explain what REAL stress is.
Again, I hate to say it, but I'm of the group that thinks America is getting soft. (Not everyone is but in general, yes.) All this whining about how "my TI called me derogatory names and it hurt my feelings..." No offense, but get over it. You think foreign oppositions targeting us aren't saying much worse in a different language? Sadly, even horrible things happen on our own soil which we must fight that if spoken in boot camp would break your heart for others-never mind your precious ego. I don't care what color you are, what partner in life you choose, what religious beliefs you hold, YOU ARE CAPABLE of handling someone screaming whatever they want at you while you do some push ups (or heaven forbid ladies, pull-ups) in the mud and rain. It is YOU who choose what you allow to offend you. In fact, chances are you may never see that training instructor again, and it's not like they know you personally-so who cares what they say? Just tolerate it or tune them out while you focus on the task at hand. I would think the whole point of them being jerk is for a purpose - to distract you. If you're allowing that then I guess they're doing their job well while you've got some work to do. So work harder.
Like I said, whoever believes in what this nation is founded on and thinks they have what it takes then step up and, I don't know, raise the bar! (What a radical idea it would seem...) Stop challenging each other and the people who are trying to make you mentally/physically capable and challenge the enemy with how good you are! Because the more you cry from day one, the more they're going to laugh, and the more YOU are going to contribute to a softer nation. It is NOT about YOU. It's about team work.
I will add that I'm aware some TIs and those in charge probably do take too many liberties (depending on the person) during training and also allow for their own personal beliefs to get in the way of how they conduct the weeks ahead. In which case, the hell in which you're already going through is probably worse if you're singled out all the time, etc, etc. Of course, I can't really do anything about those TIs either. I'm not saying that all of those ever appointed as a TI were good TIs...Lord knows many have crossed a line. But in terms of general "boot camp sucks/ my TI is mean" topics, my initial thought again is that there are probably worse situations to be in, like being a POW or something. In which case, again, why does one choose to care SO much about being picked on during boot camp? It's the weeding out phase for a reason. At the end of the day, it's still just a mind over matter thing. Easier said than done, I know. But these are my thoughts and opinions. Take them or leave them - either way, my personal "fighting" position is on my knees for this country as a whole.
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