Intro

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JohnDowland
Ranger
Posts: 337
Joined: August 8th, 2006, 12:35 pm

Intro

Post by JohnDowland »

Hello all,

Just dropping the requisite introduction for now. I served with C co FIST under SSGT Teel, had a delightfully miserable time humping three radios around in North Umbria (FO's never get to drop their packs on any raids or recons), participated in the '94 "almost happened" jump into Haiti before taking an undeserved hit from the regimental 1SGT that forced an early resignation (a long story). Then served with what was then the 4/41 FA as an FO to the 1/18 INF (legland is miserable - but if you've been in batt, you'll get an embarrassing amount of AAM/ARCOMS just because nobody else there can do anything with any amount of competence). Was offered a return to 3rd Batt for a reenlistment, but declined in order to attend school and start a family.

Studied classical guitar for five years before attending seminary to be ordained as a Protestant minister of the Gospel. Along the way we adopted three children from the state foster care system and had four of our own. Several times in the interim I contemplated returning for service with a local SF reserve unit out of Vancouver, WA, but my kids are just too young to leave them for the training time.

Currently, I am finishing up my last year of sem studies, and have thought about returning to the SOCOM community as an active duty chaplain. We'll see what happens. It's a certainty - once you get out there is always that irresistable pull to go back, no matter what your civilian field. I still test myself on PT scores, and it's been ten years! Pathetic, I know, but once you've done those buddy carries up cardiac hill you'll never be the same...

I'd like to find any previous team mates here, or discuss the chaplaincy with any others who are on that track. Christ knows, Rangers need the Gospel as much as any other group of men. Signing out, and

Grace to you
3/75 '93-'95
Operation Uphold Democracy '94
OIF '10
OEF '10/'11
USASOC Chaplain




"Let not him who girds on his armor boast as he who takes it off!" - Ahab, king of Israel
FireFinder
Paratrooper
Posts: 1064
Joined: April 30th, 2004, 12:07 pm

Post by FireFinder »

Welcome Ranger and thanks for your service.
13R2P B BTRY (TAB), 26th FA (ABN), 18th FA BDE (1984-1988)
11C (4.2" Mortar) CSC 2/124INF, FLARNG (1988-1989)
RTO
BANNED
Posts: 9104
Joined: April 28th, 2005, 12:34 pm

Re: Intro

Post by RTO »

JohnDowland wrote: Christ knows, Rangers need the Gospel as much as any other group of men.
We sure do! :wink: Welcome Ranger Pastor! :D
Chiron
Ranger
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Joined: February 17th, 2004, 12:49 pm

,

Post by Chiron »

Welcome to the site.
RS Class 5-82
French Commando 11-83
LRSLC Class 5-87
U.S. Army 1980-1984 and 1987-1990
---------
“Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.”
George S. Patton
IDon'tCare
Ranger
Posts: 1877
Joined: December 31st, 2004, 12:06 am

Post by IDon'tCare »

Welcome.
A co 2/75 80-84
Ranger class 12-82
SERE Instructor class 1-83

Mentor to Prodigy922 / KW12 / whiskeytango
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cams
Ranger/Moderator
Posts: 9644
Joined: June 9th, 2005, 6:45 am

Post by cams »

Welcome Padre.
2/75 HHC C/E 89-92
Rio Hato/AO Diaz CCT/Commo

"It is a heavy thing, to see a Father so strong in life, unable to rise."

"A great civilization is not conquered from without
until it has destroyed itself from within." -W. Durant
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Earthpig
Ranger
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Joined: March 8th, 2003, 1:53 pm

Post by Earthpig »

Welcome to the site, Ranger!
RLTW
EP
Always remember: BROS BEFORE HOES.
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Jim
Rest In Peace Ranger
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Post by Jim »

Welcome...
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
Ranger Ron
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Post by Ranger Ron »

Welcome!
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

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smokn38
Paratrooper
Posts: 1082
Joined: July 17th, 2004, 10:22 pm

Post by smokn38 »

Welcome Ranger.
HHC 1/508th Panama 1989-1990
HHC and A Co 1/505th 1990-1992
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Flesh Thorn
Ranger
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Joined: March 5th, 2003, 2:12 pm

Post by Flesh Thorn »

Along the way we adopted three children from the state foster care system and had four of our own.
Holy fucking shit! Not very many would be willing to take on that kind of responsibility . Welcome to house! :D
A Co. 3/75 Ranger Regt. HQ Section Dec 85-June 86.
HSC USAITC June 86-April 88
NAVSEA, 2014 to Present




Psalm 144:1 A Psalm of David. Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:
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spanky
Ranger
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Joined: September 30th, 2005, 3:38 pm

Post by spanky »

Welcome, Ranger. Always nice to see another FIST guy.
RGR Class 8-78
A Team FIST, HHC, 1/75 80-82 Hunter AAF

An Armed Society is a Polite Society
JohnDowland
Ranger
Posts: 337
Joined: August 8th, 2006, 12:35 pm

Post by JohnDowland »

Flesh Thorn wrote:
Along the way we adopted three children from the state foster care system and had four of our own.
Holy fucking shit! Not very many would be willing to take on that kind of responsibility . Welcome to house! :D
Heh. heh - I probably sound much more noble on that point than I really was at the time. My wife will tell you that I was anything but "willing" initially, but when you've had those little snot nosed, underfed, rotten toothed "rejects" in your home for four years, and then the state says, "Okay, they're up for adoption, either you take them or we're putting them back into the system (where they could easily spend the rest of their soon-to-be miserable, pre-adult lives)" there really is no other option.

The desire to protect the helpless doesn't cease after leaving the service (now if I could just fulfill my desire to smoke knuckleheads the state of Oregon would have the most physically fit child services division in the nation...). Thanks for your word of encouragement Flesh Thorn.
3/75 '93-'95
Operation Uphold Democracy '94
OIF '10
OEF '10/'11
USASOC Chaplain




"Let not him who girds on his armor boast as he who takes it off!" - Ahab, king of Israel
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Slowpoke
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Joined: September 14th, 2003, 9:50 pm

Post by Slowpoke »

Welcome youngster.


Where you at in Orygun?
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