Hooray for SITREPs

[AztecSN95]

It's been what seems like ages since I've been on this site, and probably for good reason since the last post I threw up was such a negative spotlight. But for Jim and those of you following my progress....

I completed Phase II of the pipeline awhile ago and am working my way through the 18D course currently. I'll go very briefly into my experiences thus far:

As per my last thread, the pipeline is plagued with issues. Primarily if you're ever hurt, you tend to stay on the minds of those in charge. Because of a pinched nerve in my back I was initially put off to attend SUT even though I started my pipeline journey over a year ago. Upon talking a PA at Clark into giving me an RTD, I moved onto SUT earlier this year.

I'll say this about Phase II/SUT (SERE...not a chance :)):

1) Your experience out there will be dictated primarily by your Field team and your ability to be a "popular" kid. Regardless of age, rank, and experience, SUT is in every way a Popularity contest. That in itself is a crock of shit, but seeing as how I peered well and got great counseling statements, I can't complain too much about myself. Not to talk shit about Rangers, but I had 2 guys on my team that came from RGRBN. 1 guy was an E7, had been in BN, an RI, and had quite a bit of great background. Amazing dude, and I couldn't have asked for a better guy to be on my team. The other guy was an E6, and by every definition a complete douche. He reflected poorly on not only Ranger BN, but also Ranger School considering he was a piss-poor NCO and an even worse leader when it came to field problems. All in all though I was happy with my team.

2) Everything you're told about how your reputation starts in the Q Course is true. Some of my Cadre already knew my name for positive reasons, and some students were immediately under the microscope due to past issues/recycles. Learn to hold your tongue and let your performance speak for you. The guys that thought they were hot shit and voiced their opinions about shit peered poorly and were noticed by Cadre. There's a saying that I love that goes: "Those who say, do not have. Those who have, do not say." It's true. If you are a squared away dude and are aggressive, your team will see it and it will speak wonders about you.

3) Don't expect this course to be anything like Ranger school. The Cadre do wonders with limited resources (such is the life in SF), but at the end of the day, those resources are VERY limited. Make the most of your experiences, and ask as many questions of your Cadre as possible without coming off like a total assclown.

4) 7 weeks is 7 weeks is 7 weeks. However, the breaks you get do wonders for people, and hurt others. I'd rather push all 7 weeks straight, and have gone immediately into SERE. the 36-48 hours you have off mid-cycle SUCK. Do your best to keep your head in the game and be ready to go back to Mackall and RIGHT back into the field when you return. We were back on a sunday like everyone else, and our field team had us camo'd up, rucks packed, out of the wire within an hour of stepping off trans.



I'd elaborate more on this, but SUT in itself is an experience that is like nothing else. Even the MANY guys I ran into that have the Ranger tab commented that although Phase II is nothing like Ranger School, it's a compete mind fuck due to the shit they throw at you. I in no way felt that the course was HARD perse, but I most definately found the circumstances and the timeframe to be a bit much. Everyone was more than ready to get the hell out of there upon course end. Just remember to be smart when you drink on your weekends off - because God knows how fucked up we all got, and the kinds of stupid trouble we could have gotten into.



Phase III - AWESOME. I like being a medic though, and it helps tremendously if you're civilian qualified or have a background in EMT prior to coming to the 18D course.


I apologize for this being so short, but I'll do what I can to update as I progress. I'm gonna have another beverage of barley and pass out - my boys are graduating early Friday and I need all the energy I can gather for the drinking that will follow this tomorrow and through the weekend!


Any questions, please feel free to PM me, or post in response.

[GSXRanger]

"Those who say, do not have. Those who have, do not say."

That is good shit right there... I read this post, closed my browser... and these words rang true in my head. I came back, and had to comment on this.

Good luck in your training. Heed these words and you will truly go far.

[K.Ingraham]

good sitrep, call it as you saw it. thanks.