Introduction

[Stervo]

Hello-
My name is Tom. I am so grateful to have found this site. Thank you for all for your service to our country.
I am humbled to be here in your midst.

I am here to seek counsel and mentoring regarding becoming a RANGER Medic.

I am a 33 year old professional mountain guide with over 30 trips (a cumulative year) leading groups of all ages in the Adirondak Mountains of NY. I currently have my Wilderness First Responder and and have completed a bridge course that certifies me as a Wilderness EMT. I have a college degree and have achieved mastery at the trade of carpentry which I picked up out of college 9 years ago.

I am drawn to team-based, mission-oriented environments and can think of no better place to pursue my own leadership development than as an Army Ranger. I wish to serve my country in this way.

I can think of no better way to live, or to die.

I have plenty of questions, but first things must come first.
Thank you for the privilege of being here.

[Ranger Ron]

Welcome to ArmyRanger.com. I appreciate you willingness to serve our great country as an Army Ranger. Please read and heed the ROE PM I just sent you.

[Jim]

Tom, a man has only one opportunity to make a favorable initial impression. So far you are doing well. If you truly want to become a member of the 75th Ranger Regiment, you came to the right site. Please self-administer a PT test and post your results on this thread not later than midnight Sunday,27 September 2009. Never, never quit.

[Ranger Bill]

Welcome. Your interest in serving our country as an Army Ranger is appreciated. Have you met with a recruiter?

[Stervo]

Ranger Bill,

Thank you.

I've been in touch with a recruiter but am in standby waiting to hear back from him. He takes his time.

[Stervo]

PT test today, per my assignment:

Pushups - 66
Situps - 56
2 mi. Run - 14:39

[Jim]

Thank you for your response, Tom. You need to work on running. A good start nonetheless. Ranger medics are a very important part of any platoon, Have you approached an Army recruiter yet? Never, never quit.

[Jim]

Ranger Kilted Heathen issued this tasker. It came as a PM, but I think it warrants a wider distribution. BTW, I was amazed at the number of statues in London honoring heroes of the battle for Balaclave.

Ranger Kilted Heathen and Ranger Jim,
Thank you for correcting my mistake.
It won't ever happen again.
I just saw my assignment tonight at 1830 when I viewed my posts.
Here you are.

The “Thin Red Line” refers to an incident that took place during the Crimean War, October 1853 – February 1856, along the southern Crimean coast in Ukraine. In Britain, this war is referred to as the Russian War, and in Russia is considered the Oriental war. The Crimean war was unique in many ways from wars before it, one example being in that it was extensively chronicled by means of telegraphs and documented by means of photographs. These ‘modern’ methods of communication allowed news of the conflict to reach the homelands of the forces employed in record time, and set the stage for these reports to achieve immediate fame and renown among the public not formerly possible due to the nature of wars fought at a distance from the countries involved. It was upon such a stage that the story of the “Thin Red Line” was to achieve its renown.

Specifically, the incident occurred at the Battle of Balaclava, 0845 to 0930 October 25, 1854. On this date, the British Army’s 93rd Highland Regiment, numbering approximately 100 soldiers, stood their ground in the face of an advancing Russian charge of approximately 2,500 cavalry. The 93rd Highland Regiment was led by Sir Colin Campbell, under Lieutenant General Earl of Raglan who was commanding the British Army. The Russian cavalry charge was led by General Liprandi, second in command under Prince Menshikov, head of the Russian army. It should be noted that the British were accompanied by two Turkish battalions who fled upon the Russians’ advance.

The “Thin Red Line” was coined by war correspondent William H. Russell, in his article in the Times, October 25, 1854, as he recalled the incident, where the only barrier he witnessed between the advancing Russians and the disorderly British ranks were the firing lines of Sir Colin and his men. The famed article included the following sentence: “The Russians dashed on towards that thin red streak tipped with a line of steel.” The ‘red streak’ refers to the color of the Highlanders’ uniforms as they held position upon the battlefield. As the report spread far and wide, the term ‘thin red line’ took precedence over ‘thin red streak’ and has remained the favored phrase to the present day.

As the 93rd assembled, Sir Colin drew them into ranks only two deep. This was unusual, as conventional lines assumed ranks at least 4 deep, and formations of the day against a cavalry charge normally would assume a box, and not lines at all. Sir Colin was quoted as saying “I would not even form four deep!” and this is said to be attributed to first, his high regard for the 93rd, and second, his low regard for the Russian army.

The “Thin Red Line” formed one half mile from the advancing Russian cavalry. Upon commencement, Sir Colin Campbell shouted, “There is no retreat from here, men! You must die where you stand!” In response to this order, his troops are remembered saying “Aye, Sir Colin! If needs be, we’ll do that!”

The front row dropped to their knees as both lines fired into the oncoming cavalry. It is recorded that Sir Colin discharged 3 volleys at 800, 500, 350 yards. It was upon the final volley that the Russians scattered. There was no point-blank volley fired by the Scotsmen. Some reports claim that the Russians would have easily overrun the 93rd, but General Liprandi withdrew upon suspicion that the “Thin Red Line” was a diversionary tactic meant to distract the Russians from a more formidable force assembled behind the ‘Line’. Upon the Russian retreat, members of the 93rd began to charge on foot. In response to this Sir Colin called them off, exclaiming “93rd, damn all that eagerness!”

“The Thin Red Line” occurred during phases 2 and 3 of the Battle of Balaclava, and was one of three episodes (including the Charge of the Light Brigade, and the Charge of the Heavy brigade). The Battle of Balaclava is a ‘battle honor’ awarded for valor and accomplishment to all British regiments involved even though this specific battle was, overall, a defeat. This is unique in that ‘battle honors’ usually presume military victory. Despite the technical defeat, this award stands in testimony of the courageous actions of the British soldiers of that conflict. KIA accounts of British casualties number 31 officers and 365 men, however the 93rd sustained no casualties. The 93rd Highland Regiment are now the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

“Then it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ Tommy, ‘ow’s yer soul?
But it’s “Thin red line of ‘eroes” when the drums begin to roll…”
– Rudyard Kipling

[RANGER513]

Welcome, Tom.

At 33, you have perhaps a little rougher road ahead of you compared to the 18 & 19 year olds who aspire to join the ranks of a Ranger Battalion.......but it is NOT impossible. Hopefully you have the right frame of mind, can swallow your pride taking orders from others MUCH younger than you, and most important, you truely know what NEVER QUIT means.