Pinned Post

General Discussions
Map of flock cameras (punch on the link below to see)Yes, Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) squarely under Fouth
Crap that went on in military, early 70's
The Motivation Platoon (often called "Mote Platoon" or the Special Training Company) at Parris Island during the Vietnam War era was designed to handle recruits who were struggling to adapt, lacked drive, committed minor infractions, or had unauthorized absences.
What It Consisted Of
If a recruit failed to meet the standards of a regular training platoon, they were "dropped" to the Motivation Platoon rather than being immediately discharged. It consisted of:
Relentless Physical Discipline: Intense, non-stop physical training (PT), including crawling through muddy obstacle courses, running, and heavy labor from dawn until night.
Collections - Hamilton College
Strict Correctional Environment: Recruits lived under high-pressure, closely supervised conditions where Drill Instructors used extreme psychological pressure to break civilian habits.
A Navy doctor (Medical Corps officer) can place a service member on Light Duty or Limited Duty (LIMDU) status if a medical condition restricts their ability to perform regular duties. For more severe or permanent conditions, they can initiate a referral to the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) or a Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) to determine fitness for continued service.
You said
So if they sent you to the motivation for tune, would that be breaking the law?
No, it would not automatically break the law. Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), refusing a lawful order to undergo an essential medical procedure can lead to disciplinary administrative actions or being reassigned to a corrective environment like Motivation Platoon. However, if the assignment or treatment within the platoon crossed into illegal hazing or violated specific medical exemptions, that could constitute an illegal abuse of authority.
You said
Well, that's what happened. So, I don't know what recourse I can take.
Because this happened during your service in the 1970s, standard active-duty military legal channels or immediate Inspector General (IG) complaints are no longer available. However, you can still seek recourse and official correction through specific legacy channels:
Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR): You can petition the BCNR to correct your military record if that assignment led to an unjust discharge status, lost rank, or an unfair administrative mark. They have the authority to upgrade discharges and correct inequities.
VA Benefits and Claims: If the time spent in the Motivation Platoon or the forced medical treatment resulted in lasting physical or psychological injuries, you can file a claim with the VA for service-connected disability compensation.
If you are looking to formally correct your record or seek compensation, contacting a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) like the VFW, American Legion, or Disabled American Veterans (DAV) is the best next step, as they provide free legal help with these applications.
Are you looking to correct your official military records, or are you primarily seeking VA medical and disability recognition for what happened?
You said
acknowledgement that they screwed up.
If your primary goal is an official admission of wrongdoing, the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR) is the route to take. While they rarely issue a personal apology, a formal change to your military records—such as correcting an unjust narrative or upgrading a discharge—serves as the government's official acknowledgment that an error or injustice occurred.
A Veterans Service Organization (VSO) can help you write the petition to clearly highlight the abuse of authority.

Yes, Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) fall squarely under Fourth Amendment jurisdiction, though court rulings on them are mixed.
Because license plates are legally required and exposed to public view, courts generally rule that scanning a single plate on a public road isn't a "search." However, constitutional issues arise under specific conditions:
Mass Surveillance & Historical Tracking: Privacy advocates and some courts argue that storing years of location data across vast camera networks creates a detailed map of a person's life, violating reasonable expectations of privacy without a warrant.
Database Misuse: Accessing or querying ALPR databases for personal reasons or without a legitimate law enforcement purpose violates privacy rights.
Flawed Stops: Pulling a driver over based on outdated or incorrect ALPR data can make the stop itself an illegal seizure.