Expert: Rod Powers - 11/9/2007

Question
I am 2yrs into the Navy & I have currently failed 2 prt's. I am being told that I will not be able to find another job on the outside nor will I be able to be accepted into a school. I was just wondering about the validity of these comments. I have never been to mast or a DRB. Would the military really push me out in such a way that I can not support my wife and 2 young kids. Also would i get a bad discharge with a good military history as far as behaviour goes.

Answer
Hi Justin,

Meeting the physical fitness standards is a "requirement" of your Navy "employment." Apparently, you've failed tho meet this specific requirement of your "employment," and your discharge is you being "fired" for not being willing/able to do so.

You are not entitled to a DRB, unless you have more than six years of service (see my administrative discharge article at: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/justicelawlegislation/l/aadischarge1.htm You are entitled to other rights in the administrative discharge process, which are given in the article.

However, I'm not sure what your justification for "fighting" this discharge would be? The Navy has published standards for physical fitness. You previously met those standards (if you didn't, you couldn't have graduated basic training). Suddenly, you can't meet those standars (after just two years?). Why not? What has happened in just two years that makes it impossible for you to meet the physical fitness standards required for the Navy. And, if you can't meet those standards, what makes you think that the Navy would want to keep you? Why would you be so "special?"

The truth of the matter is that any administrative discharge you would recieve from the Nay due to PRT failure will *certainly* not affect your acceptance into any college or university, or school program, and most probably won't affect most of your job opportunities, On that point, your supervisors/counselors have lied to you.

However, something you need to consider, is that -- just two years ago, you had to meet these minimum physical standards in order to graduate basic training. How come you can't meet them now? This is a question for you to ask yourself :)

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my U.S. Military Careers information site at: http://usmilitary.about.com

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com