Basic Questions

[Anonymous]

Hi! Anybody out there but pritro454. My question is how do women deal with heavy periods, cramps that would kill a horse at basic. Also getting the craps so bad that if you don't go you will have an accident no if and or but's. Now I don't need someone telling me that If I have these problems I shouldn't be in the military cause if I were in the trenches during the war I would just crap my pants and live with the pain of the cramps and bleed all over myself. Cause you see the fact is this is not war time. I am a woman therefore I will not see action on the front lines, and this is basic training. Hope somone out there can ansewer my question in a proffessional manner. Respectfully, Jenny PS Thanks to anyone out there who can ansewer.

[Anonymous]

: Hi! Anybody out there but pritro454. My question is how do women deal with
: heavy periods, cramps that would kill a horse at basic. Also getting the
: craps so bad that if you don't go you will have an accident no if and or
: but's. Now I don't need someone telling me that If I have these problems I
: shouldn't be in the military cause if I were in the trenches during the
: war I would just crap my pants and live with the pain of the cramps and
: bleed all over myself. Cause you see the fact is this is not war time. I
: am a woman therefore I will not see action on the front lines, and this is
: basic training. Hope somone out there can ansewer my question in a
: proffessional manner. Respectfully, Jenny PS Thanks to anyone out there
: who can ansewer.


Hey Jenny,

While I was in Basic I honestly can't say that I ever heard anyone complain about bad cramps. We exercise so much and are kept moving so much that you really won't have too much time to think about it. Alot of people don't even get a period while in basic, it stops due to the strenuous amount of work that you do. As far as using the bathroom, or Latrine (which you will have to say when you get to basic) you should be able to go whenever you need to. Even when you are on the shooting range and in the woods there are port a pots everywhere. You may have to wait on line, but you will get to go. Now I am speaking of Ft. Jackson where I did basic. I can't say for sure about anywhere else. Just a quick note, I don't know if you are talking about having to crap really bad and not be able to hold it because you take laxatives, but IF YOU DO I would caution you or anyone to not take laxatives while in basic. The only reason I say this is because you never know when they will kick in and you might be doing p.t or doing a company run, or on a road march and can't get to a bathroom asap, and when your stomach starts bubbling and you have to go, you have to go. Again, I am not sure if that is what you meant but generally you should be able to get to a bathroom when you need to (at least within a few minutes).

agtmat5@aol.com

[Anonymous]

: Hi! Anybody out there but pritro454. My question is how do women deal with
: heavy periods, cramps that would kill a horse at basic. Also getting the
: craps so bad that if you don't go you will have an accident no if and or
: but's. Now I don't need someone telling me that If I have these problems I
: shouldn't be in the military cause if I were in the trenches during the
: war I would just crap my pants and live with the pain of the cramps and
: bleed all over myself. Cause you see the fact is this is not war time. I
: am a woman therefore I will not see action on the front lines, and this is
: basic training. Hope somone out there can ansewer my question in a
: proffessional manner. Respectfully, Jenny PS Thanks to anyone out there
: who can ansewer.


I'm sorry for my letter and the way I presented myself. I don't normally say things that way but after reading pritro454 those kind of words just seemed to roll right off my tounge. Anyway I don't take any laxitives I have had my gallbladder out and as a result it makes me well have to go to the restroom at very inconveint times. Like in the middle of a run, I run six miles a day I didn't know one time if I was going to make it back to work I didn't even know were I was going to go. I pictured myself going behind bushes (this is in the day time and on my lunch hour) running with my rear tucked together so tight I must have looked redicullus I made it to the mini mart and pacticly through the mail lady out of there it hurt so bad. By the way I'm 33 years old and going in the military has always been a dream, and i'm afraid remain a dream because of this problem. I just currious how people deal with things such as their menstral cycles. Beleive me at my age I have been subject to many indignities in my life but i have never gotten over being very moddest about things like that and just would like to know how to make them less of an inconveince. By the way I have been incontact with a recuiter and told her about all my baggage that way I know I have come clean and will not have to worry about anything. I have had a surgury to repair my fellopian tubes because I can't have kids, gallblader, I took zoloft for a year and havnt taken for a year, also I have a slight curiture of the spine and have seen a councler 4 times. So what do you think my chances are? My husband I'm trying to find excuses and just to try and see what happens if I get in I get in If I don't I don't. By the way he is very supportive of me and dession I make (what a sweetie). Oh and If I do I will be trying to get into the National Guard!

[Anonymous]

What Lisa told you is true. Most women going through basic have a cessation fo their period. As for the cramps, I only knew one who had problems in basic. Best I can tell you it she was just plain miserable. The first time it happened they sent her on sick call, plied her with pills for the pain, and said carry on. It's a little different when you are permanent party, but in basic, they just make you drive on.

OK, this is a little gross, depending on how you look at it, but if you are using pads instead of tampons, change. Tampons are easier to carry, especially if all you have is a pocket to put things in. They take up less space in a ruck. They are just easier all the way around to deal with in a field enviornment. Also use panty liners, they help keep you feeling clean and catch the oops.

As for falling out of a run for that other problem you have. It's been done by men as well as women. If you catch up and finish the run, no problem, and they're not such monsters as not to realize that sometimes the call of nature will hit you when you least expect it. If it's a reoccuring situation, it may change the picture. Since you say you're not modest, then be prepared because there won't be a convience store where you are running or in the field. Used many a open space and bush to accomplish the mission.

If you been up front with these problems and the military says OK, then you're pretty much good to go. The problem happens when you lie about them.

[Anonymous]

Hey Jenny :)

First off, don't bet that you won't get your period. MOST of the girls in my platoon got their periods, to get into detail, it just won't be as "much," if you're lucky. You just have to remember, they CAN'T deny you a head call, or, latrine call. They also can't deny you a trip to the sick bay either. You should inform your senior drill instruction about your bad cramps when you first get to recruit training so he/she understands and knows what to expect. Also, have you gone to MEPS yet for your physical? If you as so much as MENTION that your have maybe an irregular menstral cycle, or really bad cramps, or any problems whatsoever, they CAN and probably WILL disqaulify you. I wouldn't mention any of that, how in the world would they find out if your menstral cycle is off unless you tell them?

Some more advice: you could always sneak some Pamprin or other cramp medicine into basic. Some poeple will say it's not a good idea because they check everything, (which they don't) but if you were smart, you'd sneak some in. There are ways to make it very simple, like cut a tiny hole along the seam of your bra and stuff them in. Believe me, NO ONE is gonna be feeling through your bras or underwear. Just use your head, and don't draw attention to yourself.

--good luck

[Anonymous]

: Hi! Anybody out there but pritro454. My question is how do women deal with
: heavy periods, cramps that would kill a horse at basic. Also getting the
: craps so bad that if you don't go you will have an accident no if and or
: but's. Now I don't need someone telling me that If I have these problems I
: shouldn't be in the military cause if I were in the trenches during the
: war I would just crap my pants and live with the pain of the cramps and
: bleed all over myself. Cause you see the fact is this is not war time. I
: am a woman therefore I will not see action on the front lines, and this is
: basic training. Hope somone out there can ansewer my question in a
: proffessional manner. Respectfully, Jenny PS Thanks to anyone out there
: who can ansewer. Hi Jenny! I love the way you asked these questions! A lot of women's periods cease during basic training, as mine did, but every woman's cycle is not the same. I also had really bad cramps before I went to Basic, but they did cease, and I did not have my period. It just really depends on YOUR cycle. I read someone's else's post about attending Basic at Fort Jackson, and I have the same comments. You usually have to wait in line to use the latrine while training out in the field, but if you are going to fall over and die if you don't go, someone would probably let you go to the front of the line. I wish you the best of luck if you decide to join, and if you have any further questions, feel free to e-mail me:-) Sarah


slyles@dermody.com

[Anonymous]

: Hi! Anybody out there but pritro454. My question is how do women deal with
: heavy periods, cramps that would kill a horse at basic. Also getting the
: craps so bad that if you don't go you will have an accident no if and or
: but's. Now I don't need someone telling me that If I have these problems I
: shouldn't be in the military cause if I were in the trenches during the
: war I would just crap my pants and live with the pain of the cramps and
: bleed all over myself. Cause you see the fact is this is not war time. I
: am a woman therefore I will not see action on the front lines, and this is
: basic training. Hope somone out there can ansewer my question in a
: proffessional manner. Respectfully, Jenny PS Thanks to anyone out there
: who can ansewer.


Jenny I think you may be to old I think the ae limit for NON-prior service people is 32. But i may be wrong. You have a lot of medical issues. I may b edifficut Good Luck

sfct@email.com

[Anonymous]

Jenny, I'm talking to a National Guard recruiter right now, and he told me that things like Zoloft and Prozac are the "kiss of death." I've seen mentions on this message board about getting a waiver, my recruiter told me that people almost never get waivers for drugs like that.

As for your surgeries, he should be able to look up somewhere if certain procedures could disqualify you. I've had 2 breast biopsies, neither of which turned out to be cancer, and my recruiter was able to look it up and let me know that neither of these things would immediatley disqualify me. I will, however, have to have my medical records sent to MEPS when I go down for the physical and the doctors there will review the information and make a final decision.

Good luck Jenny!!

Michelle


:
: I'm sorry for my letter and the way I presented myself. I don't normally say
: things that way but after reading pritro454 those kind of words just
: seemed to roll right off my tounge. Anyway I don't take any laxitives I
: have had my gallbladder out and as a result it makes me well have to go to
: the restroom at very inconveint times. Like in the middle of a run, I run
: six miles a day I didn't know one time if I was going to make it back to
: work I didn't even know were I was going to go. I pictured myself going
: behind bushes (this is in the day time and on my lunch hour) running with
: my rear tucked together so tight I must have looked redicullus I made it
: to the mini mart and pacticly through the mail lady out of there it hurt
: so bad. By the way I'm 33 years old and going in the military has always
: been a dream, and i'm afraid remain a dream because of this problem. I
: just currious how people deal with things such as their menstral cycles.
: Beleive me at my age I have been subject to many indignities in my life
: but i have never gotten over being very moddest about things like that and
: just would like to know how to make them less of an inconveince. By the
: way I have been incontact with a recuiter and told her about all my
: baggage that way I know I have come clean and will not have to worry about
: anything. I have had a surgury to repair my fellopian tubes because I
: can't have kids, gallblader, I took zoloft for a year and havnt taken for
: a year, also I have a slight curiture of the spine and have seen a
: councler 4 times. So what do you think my chances are? My husband I'm
: trying to find excuses and just to try and see what happens if I get in I
: get in If I don't I don't. By the way he is very supportive of me and
: dession I make (what a sweetie). Oh and If I do I will be trying to get
: into the National Guard!


ms65442@yahoo.com

[Anonymous]

: I'm sorry for my letter and the way I presented myself. I don't normally say
: things that way but after reading pritro454 those kind of words just
: seemed to roll right off my tounge. Anyway I don't take any laxitives I
: have had my gallbladder out and as a result it makes me well have to go to
: the restroom at very inconveint times. Like in the middle of a run, I run
: six miles a day I didn't know one time if I was going to make it back to
: work I didn't even know were I was going to go. I pictured myself going
: behind bushes (this is in the day time and on my lunch hour) running with
: my rear tucked together so tight I must have looked redicullus I made it
: to the mini mart and pacticly through the mail lady out of there it hurt
: so bad. By the way I'm 33 years old and going in the military has always
: been a dream, and i'm afraid remain a dream because of this problem. I
: just currious how people deal with things such as their menstral cycles.
: Beleive me at my age I have been subject to many indignities in my life
: but i have never gotten over being very moddest about things like that and
: just would like to know how to make them less of an inconveince. By the
: way I have been incontact with a recuiter and told her about all my
: baggage that way I know I have come clean and will not have to worry about
: anything. I have had a surgury to repair my fellopian tubes because I
: can't have kids, gallblader, I took zoloft for a year and havnt taken for
: a year, also I have a slight curiture of the spine and have seen a
: councler 4 times. So what do you think my chances are? My husband I'm
: trying to find excuses and just to try and see what happens if I get in I
: get in If I don't I don't. By the way he is very supportive of me and
: dession I make (what a sweetie). Oh and If I do I will be trying to get
: into the National Guard!


Hi Jenny, When you mentioned possibly enlisting in the Coast Gaurd plus your history with zoloft, it remeinded me of a situation I witnessed at MEPS about a month ago. I met someone there who was very excited to join the Coast Gaurd. He had the right attitude, was in good physical shape and was all ready to go! Unfortunately, torwards the later part of the day (everyone who has been at MEPS knows how long the day is!) he was DQ'd (disqualified) because he honestly admitted to taking rittalin during his sophmore year of high school. His recruiter was there and put in a request to get a waiver. After about an hour I had to move on to the next station. I did not see him the rest of the day. Jenny, don't give up, I still think you should check it all out. Keep in mind that when it comes to mental and physical health, the military can be meticulous.

Lisav67@hotmail.com

[Anonymous]

: Jenny I think you may be to old I think the ae limit for NON-prior service
: people is 32. But i may be wrong. You have a lot of medical issues. I may
: b edifficut Good Luck


Actually the age requirement for joining the Army for Non-prior people is 35. That is you must start basic before your 35th birthday.

agtmat5@aol.com

[Anonymous]

WHEN YOU GET TO MEPS, DON'T TELL THEM ANYTHING! LARA IS RIGHT. THEY DON'T CHECK. DON'T RUIN THINGS FOR YOURSELF BY TELLING THEM STUPID THINGS THAT THEY WOULDN'T FIND OUT ANYWAYS. EVERYONE JUST SAYS THEY'LL FIND OUT, BUT THEY WON'T. SO DON'T TELL THEM, REALLY!