I heard new marine Recruits now get a special "don't holler at me pass" for boot camp. Is this true??

Cpl Anthony Pearson — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 14:18:17 -0400

(UPDATE: Several responses have discredited the rumor and claim that it is NOT true. THANK EFFING GOODNESS. So, read the comments and enjoy, and know that the Corps has not resorted to baby tactics. Not now, hopefully not ever. - Anthony Pearson)

I recently spoke with a Marine who said that new recruits are issues a special 'pass' that they can use when they feel threatened by drill instructors.

Is this true? If so, please, spill the beans. I want to know how this came to be, and if you witnessed recruits actually using this stupid pass during training.

If this is true... it disgusts me. What a PATHETIC thing to implement.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2015 2:22 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 14:22:50 -0400

I think this rumor gets started w/ each branch on a rotation. As far as I've ever known, these cards are a myth...thank God.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2015 2:24 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 14:24:01 -0400

This is just the "lance corporal underground" at work again. There have been rumors of the release of a "stress card" since 2005. While Mothers of America (the bane of all things Marine) have been pushing for just such a process....thus far our beloved Corps has stuck to its guns. While training has been diminished in other ways (simple things like replacing "kill" with "Marine Corps" during MCMAP, removing body hardening, etc.) the core principle behind boot camp (breaking the recruit down with stress so that they might be built up as something better) still remains essentially the same. I was just down at MCRD San Diego weekend before last to pick up some cammies for cheap (courtesy of the "couldn't hack it had to pack it" crew). Still the same ole dust cookie slay fest we all know and love. Rest easy motivator.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Jun 1 at 2015 2:27 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 14:27:02 -0400

No. It's not. It's common mythology, though its the first time I've heard it applied to the Corps.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2015 2:47 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 14:47:36 -0400

Hi, Corporal Pearson.

I doubt it. We had the same urban legend in the AF.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Jun 1 at 2015 4:19 PM

Cpl Jeff N. — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 16:19:58 -0400

My son went through Parris Island 5 years ago. There were rumors of the stress cards then. No such luck for him. He did learn how to fly across foot lockers though.

Response by Sgt Cody Dumont made Jun 1 at 2015 7:29 PM

Sgt Cody Dumont — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 19:29:07 -0400

The has been around since the old Corps was first mentioned. Basically after the 2nd guy signed up at Tun Tavern.

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Jun 1 at 2015 7:35 PM

SSgt Dan Montague — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 19:35:41 -0400

I heard this rumor when the crucible first came out. The "stress card" is just a BS story

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2015 7:50 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 19:50:37 -0400

I don't think so, but 4 years ago when my son was graduating boot camp they were giving the new recruits acogs with their initial issue. booo!!!

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2015 8:09 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 20:09:00 -0400

What stress? I know I might be a little strange, but I kind of enjoyed Boot Camp after the first three days when I thought that I had made a big mistake. I felt like the hard training and discipline were requred to make me into a Marine.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Jun 1 at 2015 9:51 PM

SGT Richard H. — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 21:51:34 -0400

Total urban legend. It's been happening "right after I got out" for at least 20 years now.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2015 9:52 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 21:52:53 -0400

I heard the Navy did that a few years back.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2015 9:53 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 21:53:21 -0400

Not True, however the DIs are expected to be professionals at all times. I had a friend of mine who was fired as a DI. He was a great Marine but got a little too rowdy....

Response by Cpl Christopher Bishop made Jun 2 at 2015 2:48 AM

Cpl Christopher Bishop — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 02:48:13 -0400

After my first 2-3 years I had heard that some newer (softer) Major General assigned to recruit training command implemented a Stress Card system. For a rather short time, recruits were given 3 red laminated cards kept in the left breast pocket. Upon a recruit feeling "I can't take it no mo", he could pull out a card, and all DIs were to leave them alone for 60 minutes.

Don't think for a second there weren't all 3-4 DIs of his platoon standing on all 3-4 sides of this "about to get an avalanche of Sfghjt" upon minute 59, and the senior of these counting down the last few seconds of that last minute, before going full eruption on said recruit.

This was (fortunately) dumped within 59 seconds of a future Commander of same Recruit Depot. I have yet to hear of a single instance where this experiment ever saved a recruit from being sent home and not sticking it out and Earning The Title.

I would have to suggest the humor in any recruit who had previously used up all 3 cards, and the DIs going to discipline him again, with the knowledge and taunting of the fact said cards were all used up...lol...might fall under "Pity The Fool...".

But no---not a complete myth.

Semper Fi

Response by SA Harold Hansmann made Jun 2 at 2015 12:53 PM

SA Harold Hansmann — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 12:53:25 -0400

If Ya need a wuss chit, then Ya have no reason to join the military. We don't need wussies in the armed forces. Besides we got the Air Force for that roll.
Bwaaaaa haaaaaa haaaaaa haaaaa

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2015 1:31 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 13:31:42 -0400

I don't think so. This sounds like something someone else made up, in other branches, to discredit or devalue the obviously tougher basic training that Marines endure.

Response by Cpl Karl Gleason made Jun 2 at 2015 7:14 PM

Cpl Karl Gleason — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 19:14:01 -0400

Thank God its not true!

Response by Cpl Jimmy Mitchell made Jun 3 at 2015 7:57 AM

Cpl Jimmy Mitchell — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 07:57:36 -0400

Just make them fill out a button hurt from

Response by Sgt Adam Jennings made Jun 3 at 2015 3:48 PM

Sgt Adam Jennings — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 15:48:44 -0400

No such card brother.
http://www.snopes.com/military/stresscards.asp

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Jun 4 at 2015 12:28 AM

Sgt Packy Flickinger — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 00:28:51 -0400

When I went through boot camp in 94 in San Diego we didn't have anything like it but heard the rumors PI did. Again rumors.

However we did HAVE to go to a baseball game. It seem that some influential group though we were to stressed so we needed a "break". So we packed up in utilities and went to an Angels game. We were allowed to bring $10 bucks. It was the 4th inning before our food money ran out and we even realized the game was playing. All of us, recruits and instructors alike just wanted to get back.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 4 at 2015 6:31 AM

PO1 John Miller — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 06:31:30 -0400

I heard the same rumor for the Navy. It never happened. Sure, I knew plenty of people who "swore they knew a person who had just come from Boot Camp and said it was a thing" but it was never a thing.

I think the closest the Navy had to "Stress Cards" were a little business card that had resources on it if you were feeling down. I.e., talk to the Chaplain. However these cards were not a "Get Out Of Training Free" cards.

Response by PO3 David Fries made Jun 4 at 2015 6:42 AM

PO3 David Fries — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 06:42:28 -0400

I don't know, watching that video of Soldiers doing Zumba in formation kind of makes me wonder if it made its way to the Army.

That was sarcasm ( mostly lol).

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 12:07 AM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 00:07:46 -0400

NO it's not true. I left for boot camp 20150112. I am now at my MOS school at the stumps. I was 1st BTL D CO. I heard your recruiter would send them so you would get sent to the quarter deck. Their is no such thing of this cry baby cards

Response by SSgt Terry Kearns made Jun 6 at 2015 7:01 PM

SSgt Terry Kearns — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 19:01:06 -0400

My son didn't, he was one of the oldest recruit in his boot camp at mcrd San Diego. They give them a stress card, he gave his back

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jun 10 at 2015 1:48 PM

LTC Bink Romanick — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 13:48:46 -0400

The same BS went around about army basic. I doubt it. Marines would never let that happen.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2015 6:04 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 18:04:41 -0400

Only in the marine corps would some nonsense like this happen. Poor devil-dogs. It must be difficult getting yelled at.

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2015 2:58 AM

LCpl Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 02:58:24 -0400

No such thing.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Jul 12 at 2015 9:09 PM

SrA Edward Vong — Sun, 12 Jul 2015 21:09:14 -0400

From what I hear, this pass extends to all branches. The Air Force has a "stress card".

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 12 at 2015 9:12 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Jul 2015 21:12:41 -0400

I sure hope this is a joke and not the future!

Response by PFC Daniel Cox made Jul 12 at 2015 11:24 PM

PFC Daniel Cox — Sun, 12 Jul 2015 23:24:59 -0400

I would have rather had a no sand flea card!

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2015 11:02 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 11:02:05 -0400

I just graduated from Parris Island MCRD on Friday and absolutely there is no such thing there, at least on PI. Not sure about Ssn Diego.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2015 10:42 AM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 10:42:24 -0400

I have brand new Marines under my charge, they just graduated boot camp and follow on schools a few months ago, they gave no mention of this.
It is absolutely a myth.

Response by SSgt Terry Kearns made Aug 7 at 2015 9:50 AM

SSgt Terry Kearns — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 09:50:31 -0400

My son won't, he was raised as a marine, he gave his back to his sr di when they gave it to him. they didn't have them when i was in. My son was taught when in dought empty the clip. then reload and do it again. I did 3 tours in combat, he knows to keep your head down, mouth shut, eyes open.keep your nose blown that way you can smell them coming.

Response by Cpl Micah Wing made Aug 8 at 2015 2:57 AM

Cpl Micah Wing — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 02:57:44 -0400

I don't know about stress cards, but 2 of my cousins just recently went through boot camp and MCT. In boot camp they have gotten rid of the Main Packs and are now hiking with 25lb day packs. They also informed me that they have removed the hikes in MCT, that they are going everywhere by 7 tons

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 8 at 2015 2:58 AM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 02:58:25 -0400

This is what happens when parents coddle heir kids and the kids get trophies for participation. We are raising a bunch of wimps.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2015 11:05 AM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 11:05:19 -0400

Wow, this one is still going around. I can confirm that there is no such animal in the Marine Corps. I was the 1st Sgt For Delta Company, 1st Recruit Training Bn, Recruit Training Regiment , MCRD San Diego 2005-2007. We were still slaying bitches at that time. No stress cards, Recruits were treated with firmness, fairness, dignity and compassion. Sniveling will only get you more attention from the Bob.

Response by Cpl Don "GUNNY" Miller made Aug 26 at 2015 11:07 AM

Cpl Don "GUNNY" Miller — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 11:07:19 -0400

It is Marine boot camp NOT baby daycare, you got to be shitting me.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Aug 26 at 2015 11:36 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 11:36:04 -0400

That would have been my picture, if I had joined the Marines and attended their Boot Camp.

Response by GySgt Lloyd LaGrange made Aug 26 at 2015 2:44 PM

GySgt Lloyd LaGrange — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 14:44:17 -0400

Cpl Pearson, I heard the same scuttle butt. I believe it's called a "STRESS CARD". I think this idea is a BIG step in the wrong direction and truly DISGUST'S me if it is true as well !!! Just the mere idea of a "STRESS CARD" for a MARINE Recruit is quite Ludacris . MARINE BOOT CAMP IS NOT about being concerned with whether a recruit feels a threat. IT IS a PISS poor PATHETIC THOUGHT !!

Response by SSgt Scott Walters made Nov 19 at 2015 11:36 AM

SSgt Scott Walters — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 11:36:16 -0500

When I heard about the Stress Cards (mid 90's), I asked a PFC that was assigned to my unit after his MOS school. He said they were given three stress cards (a week I think). Once the Platoon Commander left the squad bay, the heavy would walk around and collect all of the cards from the recruits.

Response by 1stSgt Eugene Harless made Dec 30 at 2015 8:05 PM

1stSgt Eugene Harless — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 20:05:41 -0500

It's a myth based somewhat in fact. I don't know if it still goes on, but during the first religioud service recruits attend they would be given New Testament bibles, Rosaries and a "stress card". This was a small green card that gave tips on how to deal with stress. It was tucked away in the recruit's foot locker or they threw it away. Somehow when word got out this card turned into some magical mythical thing that a recruit could flash and get a reprieve from training.

Response by CPO Andy Carrillo, MS made Dec 31 at 2015 2:20 AM

CPO Andy Carrillo, MS — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 02:20:29 -0500

I hope not, for my son's sake (Week 11 MCRD San Diego)...

Response by Cpl Julio Reynolds made Jan 11 at 2016 6:12 AM

Cpl Julio Reynolds — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 06:12:32 -0500

Although I heard this in the Marines while I was serving at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island as a Marksmanship Instructor between '93 - '96, I remember asking DI friends of mine if it was true. They all said no, "they weren't using them." As for the origins of the story, I looked it up on SNOPES and this is what they said (with a posted picture of a "stress card". "Origins: The military's "stress card" legend is one of those tales that had the smallest kernel of truth to it, but that truth is almost unrecognizable in the form the scuttlebutt has since taken.
For a few years during the 1990s, the US Navy did issue "stress cards" to new recruits, but they weren't the "Get out of jail free" coupons military lore has since turned them into. Rather, these cards listed resources the newcomers could contact "if things pile[d] up." The cards were strictly for informational purposes: they informed recruits who were thinking of "giving up" or "running away" of available support services they could turn to for assistance. Navy RDCs (Recruit Division Commanders) began reporting that some recruits had taken to raising their cards while being disciplined as a way of signaling for a "time out." It's unclear whether any of those enduring basic training really thought that was the purpose of the cards or whether this was just standard armed forces jackassing, but the Navy took no chances and got rid of the cards.
This short-lived experiment with providing recruits with clear information about whom to contact when things went bump in the night has morphed into an unflattering and unsettling illustration of today's soldier as a creampuff. Notice how the story has mutated into one where the drill instructors are portrayed as honor bound to obey the cards when they are displayed to them, an aspect that wasn't part of things during the real cards' short life. The story has also widened its net; what was a Navy hand-out has, in the world of rumor, become a card issued to Army and Marine recruits, making this an Armed Forces-wide phenomenon.
Why was such a story so happily seized upon? We always want to believe anything we've been part of was the biggest, the baddest, and the best. One of the ways we bolster that belief is by looking pityingly upon the current crop who have since taken our places. The high school teams we played on were the toughest and most feared, with today's iterations only pale imitations of the ones we were part of. Likewise, the music of our youth has it all over today's stuff, and schooling in our day was rigorous and thorough, with the hike to the schoolhouse uphill both ways through the snow.
That sentiment, that need to feel superior through disparaging comparison, is part of what underpins this legend about stress cards. In any vet's mind, the armed forces went careening downhill the moment he left. Throughout the history of human endeavor, people have looked back to note with satisfaction how things have gone to hell in a handbasket since their glory days, be they bridge players, churchgoers, parents, or soldiers. It's just human nature.
Change is also threatening, and any shift in how things are run will always bring out the doomsayers, those who will feel it their duty to point out everything is about to come apart. They will hold up any small misstep and repeat any wild tale that seemingly confirms their gloomy prognostications. Just as the influx of women into the armed forces raised misgivings often expressed in "Told you so" kinds of tales, so the "stress card" canard quickly caught on in military lore because it captured the essence of what many believe, that today's army has gone soft.

Response by Cpl Bernard Bates made Oct 27 at 2018 12:00 AM

Cpl Bernard Bates — Sat, 27 Oct 2018 00:00:26 -0400

If that's the case we had better develop Robot like star wars troopers, otherwise we are in deep trouble. Why would the corp do that? I thought they had more than enough poolies waiting to enlist. Ill bet Chesty would turn over in his grave if he knew that. I get Leatherneck Magazine and I have never heard of no such thing. If they have to issue a special pass to a recruit they are not a marine and should be given a General Discharge. Semper fi.