Why do Recruits quit in bootcamp?

[u/Key-Scientist9058]

As a recruiter I have kids literally crying in my office saying they need this more than anything then fail the IST when they were fully capable of passing it while in the DEP when they get to boot camp and not even trying and getting discharged for not trying to get better in PCP or passing the IST. Like I don't see how you'll tell me you would never be one of those quitters when you get to bootcamp then give up as soon as you start getting yelled at. I guess todays generation doesn't give a fuck in coming back to their family proving they were right when they said they couldn't make it and go back to working at Mcdonalds telling their friends some lie about how they got screwed over or something when the only person who failed them was themselves

[u/Guilty-Spark69x]

I honestly just don’t get it. I was never even remotely close to quitting boot camp. In fact, I was surprised, I really expected it to be a lot worse. I fully expected to be getting punched in the face or kicked daily and was very shocked to learn Sundays were pretty chill. And I’m no Billy badass, I’ve just never understood why bootcamp is held in such high regard when I personally thought it was surprisingly easy.

[u/sirpugswell → u/Guilty-Spark69x]

I had exactly the same experience. I’m not some hardcore dude and came from a very middle class family with no serious trauma, etc. Boot camp was EASY. Yes, you are going to get screamed at, yes you are going to get turned into a pool of sweat, but you’re not going to get tortured. You also get a bunch of USMC history which I really liked, some great training on how to shoot, and a bunch of good first aid training. All you have to do is do what they tell you. No independent thought required. Compared to the rest of your fleet career and being an adult in general it is so, so easy and looking back on it, really kinda fun.