A disappointing end to OCS

I made it through 2.5 weeks of OCS and was doing well and enjoying the experience (well, some of it....a little bit, kind of) and I had the misfortune of breaking my right foot. The terrible thing is, it wasn't from OCS training, but from the cumulative effect of my training prior to OCS. I had created stress fractures from consistent high mileage running and it just broke me down.

There was something wrong during the end of one of our rope climbing sessions on the O-course; on my 7th or 8th time up the rope, I began to lose my grip on the descent. I slid down the rope a bit and then decided to just jump off and fall the rest of the way down, since it didn't seem too far. I landed nicely and thought nothing of it. The next morning, I woke up to an aching foot and numb toes, so I decided to be safe and check it out at Medical.

The xrays revealed multiple stress fractures, "to be" stress fractures, and bone spurs. The doc NPQ'd (not physically qualified) me immediately and I was flown home the next day.

I'm kind of depressed and let down right now, but it was out of my control, so I'm trying not to let it get to me too much. The USMC is being very helpful with my medical treatment and worker's compensation, so at least they do "take care of their own."

I'm just sad that my goal and last year's entire focus was shattered (pun intended) and it had to end so abruptly. Ironically, the same day I got the NPQ, my brother Patrick was commissioned into the Navy and will be attending Navy Flight School to attempt to become a Navy Pilot.

While I'm down, I'm not out. I can always go back to OCS, as long as I'm healthy, and right now I'm just going to evaluate things and then make a decision; I might check out Army or Navy OCC and just look into other options. And for now, I can at least lift weights, though I can't run for 4-6 months.

I would like to thank everyone who supported me and listened to me talk their head's off about OCS. I really appreciate everyone's support and friendship, and I hope to make it through next time so that I can honor this country, myself, and all of you.

Chris