I read where an active duty Marine Corporal claims not every Marine is an 0311 because he knows "Marines who have not qualed with a rifle in over 2 years" and also ones who have "failed multiple PFTs."

So I am just curious if you know this to be true, does it even matter much after a point and.or depending on the mos and circumstances. And was it true (if it is true) "back in the day?" The guy's a photojournalist. He wrote some other things but I'll just ask about this which is more of an objective than subjective nature. Just my dumb curiosity, I guess.

The Marines take both very seriously. Every year, the Marine cooks, legal aides, truck drivers and everyone else qualifies with a rifle. And those who fail a PFT go to a remedial exercise platoon, sometimes scheduled at lunch if in garrison. This platoon is known by various names, including the "fat body" platoon. Of course, if you're in Iraq for a year, perhaps some slip through the testing. But Iraq is no test. Plus, Marine tours in Iraq are generally six months.

There are Marines that don't get to the range on an annual basis, and yes, there are Marines that fail a PFT. The quote of 'Every Marine is a rifleman' is very true. A Marine that fails to qualify with the rifle in boot camp is still graduated as a Marine, but he will soon find himself back on the range. Marines that repeatedly fail this basic skill are soon discharged.

As for the PFT standards. This also is something that every Marine must maintain a passing score in. Without it, he or she will end up in remedial PT, until they do pass. Those that fail repeatedly are also mustered out. The minumum scores for passing a PFT are based on age of the individuals.

To get a perfect score on the PFT, 300 points, 20 pullups-no time limit (as long as you don't let go of the bar) 100 crunches in 2 minutes, 3 mile run in 18 minutes.

You have six months to pass the PFT once failed, then disciplinary action can occur. So, yes, you may fail several PFTs, but you're on the way out the door at that point. Rifle qual can be suspended during special duty (DI, Recruiter, some instructor billets, and some other external or student billets where requal is not practical), but other than that, promotion depends on seeing (at the least) the annual rifle qualification in your record. So, yes, some may slip through the cracks and get away without requalification...they must like their present rank. I went for four years without having requal as an instructor on a Navy base. We could still requal if we desired, but not required (and we had to find our own range and make our own arrangements to shoot).

Your answers make it crystal clear to me that context is everything and things can be yanked out of it to prove whatever point he was trying to make. Which I think was that some guys are in love with their Marine Corps and other guys aren't and just pogue on thru.

I don't think the PFT standards gunny enumerated (and that's a perfect score) are all that rigorous for any reasonably fit man to pass. (pullups are my sticking point but I bet I could do minimum to pass). Couldn't speak to qual of course, not with the black rifle.

What cracks me up is the die hard Gunny's (much like myself) that smoke. You'll see em making the run, and some even stopped at the half-way point to have a puff or two....even at the finish point, the first thing they do is lite one up. And yeah they pass. I used to run with a crusty ol Msgt what chewed on a lit cigar during each run.

Yeah, I gave that whole running/jogging thing up. Cigarette kept going out, and the beer kept splashing all over my hands....

Let me drop in my .02 cents here..

First off, for the rifle score. There are marines who are not stationed by rifle ranges. I know a sargeant who hasnt qual'ed in a few years. Reason being he is stationed at NAS lemoore, where i am currently, and there isnt a range nearby. At least not one 500 yards in distance.

On to the PFT.. There are instances where a Marine will not pass a PFT in 6 months time. I, myself, included. Why, you ask? I had shoulder surgery and am unable to raise my arm high enough to mount the pull up bar. Because of my limited duty status i am allowed to run a partial PFT until i am returned to full duty. And marines who fail PFT's, as gunny said, are put on remedial PT 6 or 7 days a week.

You also have a no saluting chit? I've seen one of those, along with a No PT laminated chit!

No PT???