Intro- Jake

[DocAnvil]

Hey all. My name is Jake. I'm a 68W (Combat Medic) with 2-22 LI 10th MTN. I graduated basic at Ft. Sill in 08', and attended Medic school at Ft. Sam Houston, graduating as a honor graduate. I was assigned to 2-22 LI and here I am now. I'm finishing my first deployment in Afghanistan, which is about 1 1/2 days from being out of the country for good! I re-enlisted for 6TH RTB 1: Because its near my hometown, and 2: Because I want to know everything I can for Ranger school. My hopes are that I will get slotted for W1 school, airborne, and Ranger school and eventually get to serve with a bat. My family has served in every branch of the military, and my step-father was tabbed, but he sadly died while I was at Sam Houston. I will take any/all help from anyone that's willing to give it. I want to be a Ranger Medic, and I want to be able to be apart of the best their is.I've learned all the stuff I can to be a better medic, but I know there's more out there, and I'm ready to get it.

[DocAnvil]

Also to caviat on my own post. I'm aware of my name, and are in the process of changing it. No disrespect meant.

[K.Ingraham]

Welcome. You're in the right place for pre-Ranger and all that. But why not just cut to the cahse and re-up for RASP?

Good combat-experienced medics are worth their weight in 5.56 or gold or something, If you're up to the academics, try out for for the Regiment and SOPMED and get the tab later. It'll be expected of you & you'll have a lot more fun & challenge meanwhile.

[DocAnvil]

Well see that was my idea as well, but my unit refuses to send medics to anything ranger related. And they have this thing for wanting to keep us in the unit. SO the only way to get out, and closer to a bat, was re-enlist for an RTB. The only part of this hol thing thats difficult is I'm trying to teach myself everything as far as infantry tactics on my own. The medical stuff I have down so far.

[K.Ingraham]

Well see that was my idea as well, but my unit refuses to send medics to anything ranger related. And they have this thing for wanting to keep us in the unit. SO the only way to get out, and closer to a bat, was re-enlist for an RTB. The only part of this hol thing thats difficult is I'm trying to teach myself everything as far as infantry tactics on my own. The medical stuff I have down so far.

I don't think your unit can bar you from whatever re-enlistment option you qualify for. If you re-upped for a support slot at RTB, you boned yourself from some great medical training, as well as service iin a great regiment.

You're still welcome here tho'.

[DocAnvil]

Oh thanks....But no seriously I'm gonna bust my ass to get to a regiment. And the 1SG down there said he just sent three of the medics to W1 school so I'm hoping I'll get in on the action. Either way I'm sure RTB will be good for me in the fact that all the guys know the in's and out's to help me.

[IEDmagnet]

Brother, that Ranger is giving you outstanding advice... I know because he's a wealth of knowledge. You should listen to him. Oh, and welcome.

[Sleepy Doc]

Been a while since I was in brother, but I doubt things have changed much. If they are still the same, being a medic in RTB and a medic in Batt. are two completely different animals. A lot of the medic positions at RTB were filled by AMMED personnel. You aren't going to get much opportunity to learn the small unit tactics that you need to know for Ranger school. All you do is schoolhouse support. Very boring stuff, unless you are lucky enough to cover the LRSD school. At least that is a little more fun and you can sit in on their field craft classes. One advantage to going to RTB is you can pretty much get a slot for Ranger school at any time (provided you re physically ready..) The only other advantage I can think of is when you get to your phase, it will be your own backyard. If you got your tab and your E-5 before you went to Batt. it would make things immensely easier for you, but realize you wont get any high speed medical training at RTB. It is just cook book medicine, literally. However, most of the guys I know working at RTB had time to take night classes of some sort at a local college, which you definitely would not have in Batt. Just remember this: the only thing that RTB and the Ranger Regiment have in common is the name. You will be lucky if you work under another medic who has spent time in the Regiment.

Oh yeah, welcome.

[Sleepy Doc]

The medical stuff I have down so far...

Also, trust me when I say this. I'm not discounting your current level of training, or your experience down range. These will both help you tremendously, but I can say with the utmost certainty that you have no idea how much different the approach to medicine is in Ranger Regiment. You will be astonished at how much you thought you knew or could do. It's a very zen thing. They will break you down like a Remington 870 and build you back into what they see is an ideal medic, and this is a good thing. I went in thinking that I was the cat's balls and was literally made to cry like a little bitch.

If you want a small dram of what will be asked of you, get a hold of the "Ranger Medic Handbook". http://www.narescue.com/Ranger_Medic_Ha ... 59D75.html When you do, look on the inside cover to the contributors. They are all giants and have the power to levitate the X-wing. I know because I served with most of them. On my best day I wish I could be half as good. (but I'm still trying.. )

Welcome again and good luck.