That is what Spencer told me tonight, in comparing OCS with the real world. For all of you who care about Spencer, I'll go ahead and write out his update.
I wasn't expecting to get a phone call from Spencer for the first several weeks. But Tuesday night he ended up calling me. It took me forever to believe that it was him because his voice sounded SO different(from yelling at the drill sgts). Anyways, he told me he had bad news. During his PT test, he was doing push ups. The most they even allow you to do is 87. Spencer did 81. He totally killed it. The people who were in charge of administering the tests were also officer candidates, but they are just in their later part of training. Part of their training is to train the new guys that come in. Anyways, so whenever these guys typed Spencer's score into the computer and printed it out, it came out that he only did 18 push ups!!! The head guy there made the final decision. Spencer would be marked as failing the PT test and moved out to the "holding class" for an extra week, and then join the new class coming in this next Sunday. You might be thinking "WHAT? That's not fair!" Most people I told have said that. But Spencer explained that it is a lesson for the guys that made the typo. They have to realize that when they make a mistake, other people are affected by it. I asked Spencer if they'd get in trouble, and he assured me that they would be paying for it for the next 2 weeks. As much as it sucks that he has to stay an extra week - minimum - there are maybe a few perks. First of all, I have gotten to talk to him every day he's been in the holding class. Second of all, apparently his new drill instructor he'll have is super cool, and allows free time earlier and more often than the others. Third - everyone there knows that he got screwed, and he says everyone's on his side and rooting for him.
He says that OCS is so much harder and crazier than he ever expected. He got 2 hours of sleep the first night, and less than 4 hours the other nights. As of tonight, he said he's gotten 15 hours total sleep for the week. Not only that, he is doing workouts all day long. The food sucks. He has people screaming in his face that he is weak, and he doesn't belong there. The head marine drill sgt said that Navy OCS is the hardest OCS out of all the military branches. This is coming from a marine. It is because of the toughness both mentally AND physically that make it the hardest. On the positive side, he has already built great friendships in just a few days. This will definitely be one of Spencer's greatest life experiences.
Here is a link to a video that we found before he left. This is what the first day was like for him reporting to OCS. Think you could handle it?
6 comments:
I watched part of the movie and wow, that seems rough and intense! At least he still gets to talk to you now! That definitely is a perk! I can't believe how little sleep they get! Is that going to last the whole time?
You forgot to mention that he was top of his class for the over all score for his PT test...but he still failed!!! What irony!!
i would have tears after the first person yelled at me!!
Spencer will do well from what I know of him. You have much to be proud of. Here is my private email if you have any questions. noijackson@gmail.com
Also if you want to do any research about military life check out officerfamilies.com
You have to join the forum. Lots of stuff about military bases, pay, benefits, and much more.
I'm glad he's being such a good sport about getting screwed over. It sounds like he's making the most out of it. And how exciting you've gotten to talk to him so much! What a treat for both of you.
Yeah I would have cried in like 3 seconds.
So i just called rachel to fuss at her for not posting pictures of jones' party and i was told you took the picutes, soooooo
i need to see some!!!! i have been looking for like three days. please help a sister out. much love.
muah!!
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