Expert: Jason Grabill - 11/9/2010

Question
QUESTION: my sister is in boot camp in the marines. her recruiter told her not to mention that she owes lots of bills almost 10,000 worth, has asthma,scolios and a kidney in front of her rib cage. so she didn't she really wanted to go in and has been there for four weeks almost 5. she felt wrong lying so went to her D.I and told her that she had lied. they made her sign papers saying she fraudulently enlisted. my sister is very unhappy. everything her recruiter told her it would be and everything she thought the marines stood for was a lie. after she told the truth she thought maybe they would send her home. the marines is not for her. she enlisted for 8 years because her recruiter told her everyone does. she recently hurt her knee really bad and has been on bed rest there. she cant sleep it hurts so bad but the doctors there say its  getting better. instead of sending her home or to jail which i know are penalties in fraudulently enlisting they sent her back to day one in boot camp. she now has to start all over again after 5 long weeks. is there anything we can do to get her home.

ANSWER: Sounds to me like she just wants 'out' and doesn't care at this point about the long term consequences of that.  

It's only 5 weeks and this happens to more people than you might think, usually for injuries, and they have no choice but to start her over since she's likely missed a lot of training.  

There is nothing you can do at this point other than to be supportive and tell her to hang in there, as the end result will be worth it.  I answer many, many questions from people who were in her situation, took the easy way out and came home...and a few years later want to go back in......and they can't.   Her best bet is to stick it out and graduate.

Jason

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: no this is not the answer for her she wants out now and me and my mom are gonna do everything possiable to get her out.. if you can help me with any ideas or ways of getting her out will be much appreciated. we are no taking no for an answer she wants out now..... her recruier is no help wont talk to us. we are ringing her home if you can help with ideas much appreciaed thanks

Answer
Then, both of you are making what I believe is the wrong choice.   I have no ideas on how to make this easier.  This isn't McDonalds where you can just quit because you feel like it.  Regardless, I believe she will regret the decision, and I stand by mine.  Sorry this isn't what you want to hear, but that's the way it is.