Should my son recycle?

James N — Thu, 21 Mar 2019 18:00:03 -0400

Son is at OSUT. Made squad leader and generally doing well. Struggling with pu on APFT. Last score was 235 but only 38 pu.

He has sent a message with "I failed my PT test. I can get recycled and spend a unknown amount of time here. Or I can retake the pt test, if I pass the retake I graduate. If I fail I recycle. But the retake is during honor hill. So I won't be real infantry, the title will have been handed to me out of pity. "

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Mar 21 at 2019 6:17 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Thu, 21 Mar 2019 18:17:17 -0400

If the question is "what is recycle?" that means he starts over at the beginning g of the next training cycle.... Basically he has to do OSUT again (or at least a phase of OSUT).

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2019 6:21 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Mar 2019 18:21:31 -0400

Ok several questions/comments here..
1) what is Honor Hill? I don’t know this phase of Infantry basic. You went to the final FTX and completed the 20 mile road march and that is all I know. I don’t know the significance here so it’s lost on me
2) Why would he not retake the test? This seems a no brainer.
3) Why is he having trouble with push ups?
4) The Infantry is an unforgiving MOS. Basic training is the easy part. If he is having trouble here he may want to look for a new MOS.
In any case he shouldn’t give up here.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Mar 21 at 2019 6:24 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Thu, 21 Mar 2019 18:24:24 -0400

Taking your post at face value not trying to reading between the lines at all I suppose I would suggest re-cycle gives maximum amount of time to continue physical fitness training would be able to graduate with the full process in his new company end it would seem the Sarah Moni of the last few days is important to him if so no issue he should do it gets what’s important to him

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2019 7:47 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Mar 2019 19:47:17 -0400

Your son sounds pretty melodramatic.
It sounds like he is reaching out for pity.
He needs to assess his needs and desires and make his choice based on that, and not anyone else's opinion.

On top of that, u.s. soldiers have been infantryman for hundreds of years without going through some silly honor Hill.

Response by MAJ Bryan Zeski made Mar 21 at 2019 11:22 PM

MAJ Bryan Zeski — Thu, 21 Mar 2019 23:22:58 -0400

I was an 11B. I have no idea what honor hill is, so he should finish asap

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Mar 22 at 2019 12:19 AM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 00:19:22 -0400

If he believes he can pass the APFT he should get done and over. He need not to worry about whatever ceremony is out there but his OSUT Graduation.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2019 1:53 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 01:53:59 -0400

Not to bash on him because I’ve been there but 38 push ups? Like push ups is the easiest thing to do. He should look at it in a better sense to motivate himself and pass this APFT

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2019 9:52 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 09:52:21 -0400

He needs to pass the APFT in whatever way he can. If he graduates, he's an Infantryman. I know basic training seems like the whole world while you're there but once he's gone it will become a distant memory. No one will care about whether or not he attended some ceremony.

Response by James N made Mar 22 at 2019 10:40 AM

James N — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 10:40:46 -0400

Thank you all for the input and additional information. I feel a lot better equipped now when he asks for guidance. Although quite frankly I think the best guidance I can give him is still to ask one of his NCO for guidance.

Really appreciate y'all taking the time.