)In 2005 I was 18 and halfway through recruit training. Around the week 6 mark I'd been having pains in my lower back, so I visited sick bay a few times over the following weeks, usually just to get some cocodomol and anti-inflamatories. Regardless, I cracked on with it and just put up with it on the exercises over the subsequent weeks. Anyway, it didn't improve,and just seemed to get worse. It peaked on a load carry back from an exercise in week 14. I fell twice on the way back to camp, the second time being unable to stand. So I found myself in the back of the land rover for the last 2 miles back. This was followed by visits to sick bay and a recommendation that I was placed in Hunter Company. One of the most miserable things of my life so far was returning my rifle to the armoury whilst my troop was beginning their speed-march into a test exercise at the start of week 15, knowing I'd never be part of that troop again under the circumstances wasn't a nice feeling, but there we go.
In Hunter I was told that the problem was such it could not be easily diagnosed, and I might find myself there in a 4-5 months, facing a medical discharge which would bar entry for 5 years. Obviously I wasn't pleasesd at that, and decided to opt out and rejoin when the problem was solved.
So I found myself outside, and as such the natural reaction was to be threaders 24/7. I had a few dramas trying to get a job, and some other things, which ultimately taught me a few lessons and that phase is generally something I'm not fond of, but happy for the experience of dealing with the various problems I found. I don't think I'll ever know whether that was the best decision, since I don't have the benefit of hindsight with regards to the alternative decision. That said, looking back, I don't think I would change anything, regardless of certain other things not turning out the way I wanted. You can't learn some things if you don't make mistakes.
Over the next few months I had surgery for a hernia, and an MRI scan on my back, which revealed I had a bulging disc in my lower spine. I was told the problem can't be strictly "fixed", however, I decided to f@#k it and crack on with training and getting myself back up to standard to rejoin the Corps. (I was told that the best I can do is strengthen my core and build up the muscles around my lower back in particular)
And the culmination of the last 16 months of being threaders, unable to train and subsequently thrashing myself was passing PRMC, during the past week.
The point I wanted to make was regardless of problems and dramas encountered, always keep sight of what your main goal is, deal with any nonsense that comes along, don't moan and just get on with things. Or maybe I'm just some headstrong idiot that won't let go of my ambitions. Either way, if I can turn a shitty situation around, then there's no reason anyone else can't. Also, when your body makes funny clicking sounds when it shouldn't, see a f@#k doctor sharpish.
So, in that vein, crack on! (Unless you need to see a doctor, believe me
)
before applying for the marines? 
