Intro - Bloody_Limey

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Bloody_Limey
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Intro - Bloody_Limey

Post by Bloody_Limey »

I'm a 68 Whiskey, Specialist, Active Duty - graduated BCT at Ft Sill July 2011 - graduated AIT Ft Sam Houston Nov 2011.
I'm a little older than most at 38-yrs of age, I enlisted late in life partly because I only moved to the US 6-yrs ago from England and only obtained my citizenship last year through marriage.
I have 3 children. Ages 11, 5 and 3.
I worked as a Registered Nurse for 10-yrs as a civilian - from Europe to Alaska, from oncology to ICU. I enlisted because I felt it was my duty and because its the most challenging thing I can do. I didn't enlist as an RN because I wanted to see combat and also because I'm a diploma RN and the Army only accepts degree trained RNs - so I would have had to do a bridge RN to BSN program to join as an Officer, which I wasn't interested in doing.
Despite my age, I'm in good shape - I scored 346 on the extended scale last month. Have ran several marathons (best time, 3 hrs 46 mins) and 10 milers (best time 1 hr 14 mins).
My family all live in southern Oregon. Having grown up in the suburbs of London, I think Oregon's forests and hills and rugged coastline are majestic.
One of the main reasons I'm trying out for RASP is my 11-year-old son, Garrison. 4-years ago he was diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. That same week he had a reaction to a blood transfusion, threw a clot and had a massive stroke which left him paralysed down one side and without the use of his speech. He spent 3-months in hospital undergoing rehab and fought his way back to a full recovery. He was 7-years old at the time. He went from being a healthy little boy to a very ill little boy on the verge of death in a matter of hours. His bravery inspired me to push myself to be the best I can be. As an RN, I've worked in almost every specialty - cardiac, management, palliative care... I am ACLS, PALS, NRP, TNCC and Chemotherapy certified. What I really wanted to do was put my medical skills to use to help soldiers in the front line. I couldn't go on to do the RN to BSN program for several reasons - by the time I completed it I would have been over the age-limit for enlisting; and financially it wasn't something I felt willing to commit to. Right or wrong, I made the decision to enlist as a Whiskey and signed up for 4-years, just making the age-limit before they lowered it this year...
When I heard of the chance of being a Ranger Medic, I immediately knew it was something I wanted to do and felt I could excell at. Other than my medical experience, I'm just very goal focused ('stubborn' would probably be more accurate...). Everything I've heard from Ranger forums to the brief at Ft Sam and all the other various advice, one thing seems to be key to success as a solider trying out to be a Ranger: 'Never quit.'
I'm inspired by the reputation of the Rangers and honored to have a chance to go through RASP.
I'm on ArmyRanger.com specifically for tips on how to succeed and graduate RASP.
Thanks for hearing me out!
"The truth about the world is that anything is possible. Had you not seen it all from birth and thereby bled it of its strangeness it would appear to you for what it is, a hat trick in a medicine show, a fevered dream..."~CORMAC MCCARTHY
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K.Ingraham
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Re: Intro - Bloody_Limey

Post by K.Ingraham »

Welcome.

Lots of practical advice in the PT, RASP and recruiting forums. The best advice is simple: DON'T QUIT.
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2d Bn U.D. for 75th Ranger Regt Assn

2d Bn(Ranger)75 Inf 1975-'77
RS 9-76
Former mentor to RANGER XCrunner.

"I am well aware that by no means equal repute attends the narrator and the doer of deedsSallust ‘The Catiline Conspiracy’
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mortar_guy78
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Re: Intro - Bloody_Limey

Post by mortar_guy78 »

Welcome here. I'd say good luck, but the truth is you make your own luck. Keep up the good work and NEVER QUIT.
HHC 4/64 AR '97-'99
HHC 1/75 RGR '99-'01
HHC 1/508 ABCT '01-'04
C co, HHC 2/1 IN '04-'07
C co, B co 1/24 IN '07-'11
D co 308th MI '12-'15
7th SFG(A) MICO '15-'18
C co 308th MI '18-Present


Keep your mind in hell and despair not.

THE BEATINGS WILL CONTINUE UNTIL MORALE IMPROVES
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Re: Intro - Bloody_Limey

Post by Ranger Ron »

Welcome to ArmyRanger.com. Very sorry about your son! my best advise for RASP is give 100% every minute of every day and associate ONLY with those who do the same!
SUA SPONTE - "We few, we happy few, we BAND OF BROTHERS;
for he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother!"
- Shakespeare

RLTW! - Land of the Free BECAUSE of the Brave

RS 3-70
SSG VN 69-70
I Co., 75th. Inf.
4/9 Inf., 25th ID

Mentored Ranger kozzman555
http://www.75thrra.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - LM 183
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Bloody_Limey
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Re: Intro - Bloody_Limey

Post by Bloody_Limey »

Graduated RASP, Thursday the 5th of April 2012.
It's an honor to wear that tan beret and scroll...
Back visiting my family over Easter, they are all very proud.
Out of 8 medics, only 5 of us graduated. And I'm guessing the attrition for SOCOM will weed out a few more.
If there are any medics out there considering RASP, feel free to message me, I'd be happy to pass on some of the excellent advice I've received over the past few months.
"The truth about the world is that anything is possible. Had you not seen it all from birth and thereby bled it of its strangeness it would appear to you for what it is, a hat trick in a medicine show, a fevered dream..."~CORMAC MCCARTHY
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Sleepy Doc
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Re: Intro - Bloody_Limey

Post by Sleepy Doc »

Congrats! Now the fun begins! Having such an extensive medical background should make SOCM a breeze, but don't get complacent. What you have seen so far and the front line medicine are two different animals. However, your experience will be a welcome asset to the men of the Regiment when you do get there, I guarantee. Thank you for being willing to step up and share your knowledge. Glad to hear that your son is doing well also.
B Co 3/75 '95-'99
4th RTB '00-'01

"ahh, Daniel-san.. When balance good, Karate good...everything good!.." K. Miyagi
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CharlieRanger1FFV
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Intro - Bloody_Limey

Post by CharlieRanger1FFV »

Congrats, . . . Listen to the old guys, you will learn a lot.


RLTW!!!
Silencium Mortium

B /1/504 82nd Abn 69 - 70
C co (Ranger) 75th (Abn) Inf, II Corps Rangers, 70 - 71 Viet Nam
12th SFG (A) 76 - 78
75th Ranger Regiment Association, Lifetime Member # 2776
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Jim
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Re: Intro - Bloody_Limey

Post by Jim »

Great SITREP. Never, never quit!
Ranger Class 13-71
Advisor, VN 66-68 69-70
42d Vn Ranger Battalion 1969-1970
Trainer, El Salvador 86-87
Advisor, Saudi Arabian National Guard 91, 93-94
75th RRA Life Member #867
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Slowpoke
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Re: Intro - Bloody_Limey

Post by Slowpoke »

Congratulations Ranger! With your medical background, I'm sure you'll be able to make great contributions to the Regiment.
I never wore a cape, but I still have my dog tags.

Experienced Peek Freak!!

173rd Abn LRRP...'66/'67
C/1/506 101st Abn
B/2/325 82nd Abn
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K.Ingraham
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Re: Intro - Bloody_Limey

Post by K.Ingraham »

Outfreakingstanding! Congrats on being the 'quiet professional'.
You earned your scroll now begins the hard part: living up to it.
To which batt are you destined?
http://www.75thrra.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
2d Bn U.D. for 75th Ranger Regt Assn

2d Bn(Ranger)75 Inf 1975-'77
RS 9-76
Former mentor to RANGER XCrunner.

"I am well aware that by no means equal repute attends the narrator and the doer of deedsSallust ‘The Catiline Conspiracy’
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Bloody_Limey
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Joined: October 26th, 2011, 3:50 pm

Re: Intro - Bloody_Limey

Post by Bloody_Limey »

Started PreSOCOM today.... Small group of us, all good people. Steep learning curve for those with no medical background. Definitely feel at an advantage having quite a bit of experience, but also am very conscious of not being arrogant and of doing it the way that the PA wants it done, not how I would do it as a civilian RN. So, I am going to do my best to be humble and to learn.
I don't find out what Batt I am going to be assigned (none of us do) until we graduate SOCOM, which won't be for about another year.
PreSOCOM: Anywhere from 4 to 6 months.
SOCOM: About 8 months?
Kind of frustrating knowing all the 11Bravos are going to have been deployed while we're still in training, but I offset that frustration with the knowledge that I am finally getting some pretty cool training and in an environment where everyone is highly motivated and if you do your best you can really shine.

I think we all just want to be in the fight as quickly as possible, but it takes a lot of patience and a lot of training and self discipline before I think we will finally be able to kick some bad guy ###.

Saw my wife and kids for the first time in over three months this past weekend. Wonderful time. Hard to leave them. But again, offset by the fact that it isn't meaningless seperation - it's being a medic in the most elite light infantry unit in the world.

I hope I get 2nd Batt. My family are all on the West Coast and I couldn't move them to live with me because my son is too sick to move. It would be too traumatic for him. He has about 5 doctors he sees locally that know his condition very well. He's settled into school. He has a wonderful support network. I couldn't uproot him and my wife and two other children to come to live with me - with no support network in place. But if I was stationed at 2nd I would only be an hours flight from them. I could see them once a month or so. Or they could drive up and see me from time to time. Plus, I love the West Coast.

But really, I don't mind where I go. I'm just happy to be here and have a chance to serve.
"The truth about the world is that anything is possible. Had you not seen it all from birth and thereby bled it of its strangeness it would appear to you for what it is, a hat trick in a medicine show, a fevered dream..."~CORMAC MCCARTHY
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Sleepy Doc
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Re: Intro - Bloody_Limey

Post by Sleepy Doc »

Don't worry, bredren. Like I told my mentee, your time to be a rockstar will come, most assuredly. A big dose of humility will be your best friend In SOCOM. In fact, I would say nothing about you background. Just say you worked in a hospital. Even when something goes against every single ounce of what you have been taught, remember that everything in the course has been vetted by Trauma Surgeons with more years experience than most have on the planet, that and by brothers (and sisters) dying. Every life lost taught valuable lessons which have been pushed down to SF, the Regiment, and now the Big Army too. Part of allowing the grunts to do the outstanding work that they do is backing them up with a shit hot medic. That way the there is one less thing for them to worry about, but you won't be there till you get out of SOCOM. The day will come when someone will say " Shit, that limey fuck is with us?! Well, I know I'll make it home if something happens because he's got our back.." Now, go earn that title "DOC"
B Co 3/75 '95-'99
4th RTB '00-'01

"ahh, Daniel-san.. When balance good, Karate good...everything good!.." K. Miyagi
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