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Hello all,

I've decided to post a thread basically asking for your advice/opinions on a small matter. I'd particuly like to hear from people who are in training, but welcome anyones advice/opinions.

As you all know (well, you should do....I always say it! lol ), I've been injured for 11 months since passing PRMC last December. Well, the November 7th intake is my last chance saloon or else I have to do PRMC again (as a PRMC pass only lasts a year).

I passed my medical (which I had to re-take after the years one expired) on Monday but still my injury does twinge every so often. I went to the gym last night and was able to run for 10 mins on the treadmill. This is the furthest I have run in 11 months so I was pretty chuffed, though my lower back felt stiff after it (lack of use after 11 months injured?).

To get to the point, I have to retake my PFJT soon as this also has expired. I am a bit worried about that, but mainly worried about my general fitness levels to start recruit training. I am gonna be no where near as fit as a lot of the other lads and this is really gonna worry me and possibly cast me in a bit of a shadow with the training teams. Could I say I have been injured for 11 months, that's why my levels are so low?

Anyway, do you think, in all honesty that I should go for the 7th November in-take? My AFCO says to go in even if I am half fit, but I am worried about my fitness levels and also (god forbid it)....re-injure my hip. In my head, I am desperate to go down there and start training, even if I am thrown into Hunter straight away - though I heard that if you get injured in your first week, you get md'd? Or should I hold off and do PRMC again (which I REALLY dont want to do!).

ANY advice/opinions welcomed lads. Sorry for going on a bit then

Dave

You're AFCO seem positive about you just getting in and on with it though I don't know how much store you can put in that.

if i was you, as much as you dont want to do it i think you should start training again before you go to CTC again, get fit again, cos from what i have heard the first few weeks are like PRMC all over again anyway, loads of fitness.

But your AFCO should know best so go with their judgement.

Alright Dave, personally mate if you've laid off for that long I would wait a little bit and regain some fitness. Your lower back ache could be due to leaning over a little too much whilst running.

Hi Dave,

I've been following you progress for a while and you've showed great determination to get back to this stage, but unfortunately I'm with the others on this one about delaying your start date slightly.

I've got no doubt your will make a great marine in the future as you seem to show all the attributes needed, but the pyschological damage you may suffer by struggling through foundation when it would seem like the other lads are "cruising" (perhaps not but may well be coping physically better than you) may be too much to take.

- IF? you were to be Md'd would you still have the same desire as you do now to re-join?

- Would you be joining in November if you your PRMC doesn't run out?

I think the answers to both would be NO......

You've shown you have enough to pass PRMC when fully fit, why the worry of doing it again in 3-4 months? Its 2.5/3 days of pain, but a lot less than you would suffer in training when not fully fit or doing yourself justice.

Sorry if all of the above sounds a bit negative, just my opinion!

Take care pal.

Dan

I think you should just go for it, at least then if you pass your PRMC again you will have a taste (even if it is a couple of days) of recuit training. Even if you do drop out after a couple of days/weeks then at least you know whats required and a real taste.

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger!

Yeah, I'm with Letsrole, go for it mate, I reckon you've got what it takes from what I've read on the forums.

Thanks loads for the replies guys. All very valid points.

My hip decided to make the decision for me tonight though at the gym. It was fine then I started running on the treadmill and I got a fair bit of pain. It's fine now, so definetely not back to square one again but enough to make me realise that I cant do the 7th November entry.

I'm going to my AFCO tomorrow and will have to tell him that I will delay again

It's a right bummer having to do PRMC again...a real kick in the teeth, but I aint giving up. Oh well.....roll on my next PRMC! Hey....I'll have an advantage over the others......I know when I'm gonna REALLY be hurting! lol

btw, D.Mc mate, that was a friggin awesome reply and really made me think (I read it just before I went to the gym). Thankyou:)

Cheers again
From a 'feeling a bit down, but more determined than ever' Dave

Daveb,

No problem mate.

Reading through it again it did seem a bit negative but I'm sure you'll know what to do for the best.

Its all fair and well everyone saying "Do it", "might as well give it a shot" or "what you got to lose" but its what you may lose long term psychologically which only you will know. All im trying to say is don't get caught up in the whole excitment of being a RM recruit with out thinking it through properly.

Pyschology......its a messy thing - girlfriend studied it at degree level so I get these sort of talks all the time! Messes with your head big time!!!!

Never know we could be on the same PRMC in the future!

Take it easy pal,
Dan

Yeah that's well true mate. All what you said is exactly true, so dont worry about it sounding a little negative

I just got back from the AFCO. I could tell that my AFCO is totally gutted for me as he knows how much I want this. I said that I aint giving up and will be back down to Lympstone quicker than Felias doing the 1.5mile run (no offence Felias ).

I am feeling totally gutted at the moment and feel down that I aint going in, but I had to think realistically.

He also said if I chose to give up on the Marines, as I got really good scores on my RT, I can go for almost any branch in the Navy. He particuly recommended Air Engineer Technician. He knows though that Marines is what I want to do.

Oh well, I'm gonna crack on with getting over with my injury, then hammer on the phys and prepare for my next PRMC.

(if only they could cater for people who pass PRMC but get injured....it werent through choice that I missed this years pass, oh well....that's the past. Look forward to the future with a smile on your face )

You did the right thing Dave.

I've been delaying going further with my app to RMAS for months now so I can sort out a biomech problem with physio. It's very frustrating, but the other option is go in early and unprepared, spend most of training injured, and get kicked out or fail to get into choice of regt. because of injury.

At least this is only a couple of months, that would screw up your entire career.

Dave b i really admire your enthusiasm to keep on trying to achieve your goals, stick at it mate and keep the chin up.

Yeah you did the right thing dave. Remember you can do it whenever you want and you dont want to get MD'd during training. Keep at it,