Failed Sniper School, Came Back Stronger, Eric D'Oro's Story | Ep 015

Join Phillip Velayo and Eric D'Oro of The Cadre for the long version of how Eric actually got here, including the parts that didn't go to plan. Eric walks through growing up in Pennsylvania, joining the Marines at 18 in the shadow of 9/11, failing sniper school, coming back for a second attempt, and breaking his ankle mid-competition before having to drop out. He gets honest about the feedback that broke him, the bureaucracy that pushed him out of the Marine Corps, and the messy transition through college, firearms instruction, and contracting. Whether you're a young Marine wondering if you'd survive the standard, a competitor trying to reframe your last bad match, or someone mid-career-transition, this one is worth the full sit. Listen to us on: Spotify, https://open.spotify.com/show/0WhBQn3hUE1XarAFwAd2OU Apple, https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cadre-podcast/id1806120803 TRAIN WITH US: https://www.thecadretraining.com DOWNLOAD OUR EQUIPMENT KIT: https://www.thecadretraining.com/kit Download The Cadre DOPE Card: https://www.thecadretraining.com/resources TIMESTAMPS 0:00, Introduction, Who Is Eric D'Oro 2:15, Growing Up in Pennsylvania, Family and Early Influences 8:40, Joining the Marines at 18, Powerlifting, Wrestling, and 9/11 15:20, SOI, Reclassing to 0311 and Volunteering for Recon 22:10, The Recon Training Injury, Surgery, and the Extended Timeline 31:45, Running the Sniper Screener 40:30, Walking Into the Platoon, Catching Up to the Standard 52:15, First Deployment to Australia, Mistakes and Feedback 1:04:50, Leadership, Trust, and Team Dynamics 1:18:25, Sniper School, Failure, and the Hazing That Followed 1:31:10, The KD Test and What It Did to Him 1:42:55, The Second Attempt, Broken Ankle, and Dropping Out 1:54:30, Reintegration, Leadership Frustration, and the Decision to Leave 2:06:15, Civilian Transition, College, and Firearms Instruction 2:14:40, Contracting, Teaching, and Finding the Work That Fits 2:20:05, Corey, Brianna, and Building a Support System 2:26:30, Health, Stepping Back, and Choosing Competition 2:32:45, Teaching With Lived Experience, NRL Hunter, and What's Next 2:38:20, Final Thoughts on Resilience, Stubbornness, and the Long Road CONNECT WITH THE TEAM: Follow Eric: https://www.instagram.com/ej_doro Follow Phillip: https://www.instagram.com/velayo_0317 Follow The Cadre: https://www.instagram.com/thecadre.training Precision Through Chaos.