JLJones,

My son and I had a talk awhile back. I asked him to envision what he wanted to do when he was 40 years old. And pick the path that offered the best chance of him getting there.

The Rangers checked all his boxes. He gets to do some cool things, get experience he’d never get in the civilian world, and get some of the best training possible for his career path.

What does your son envision doing when he is 40?

Congrats to your son
68W is a great MOS

In 2009 when I went to re-enlist after about a 17 year break in service I wanted to be a Corpsman but was turned down by the Navy. So I went across the hall and tried like heck to get the 68W slot but to no avail.

The real crapper was when I got to basic training and 95% of the recruits were going to Fort Sam.

The MOS has changed a lot in the last few years and it is not longer the 10 week band aid course. The looked at how diverse the Corpsman rating was and took some lessons from it.

The on going war in Iraq/AFG has also helped redefine the training and the MOS.

I would definitely consider the 68W field if I wasn't too old to go back on active duty.

As he progresses in his MOS, he will also be able to apply to be a flight medic.

Besides the Rangers, he will also be able to work with Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations.

We had some really bad a-- medics in our Civil Affairs BN

The medic attached to our twelve man detachment in AFG was a beast both in the field and in the gym, and had the intellect of Sheldon from the big bang theory.

I wish him the best.

quote:

It is no joke, the Rangers are a Tier 1 Special Operations Force, almost a separate entity from the Army. And they get a lot of cool things to play with.

Hate to tell you, but Rangers aren't a tier 1 unit.

Congratulations! If he’s interested in a tough combat medic program, has he looked at Air Force Pararescue (PJ)?

It’s who the Rangers and USASOC call when they need help ;-)

quote:

Originally posted by ASKSmith:
JLJones,

My son and I had a talk awhile back. I asked him to envision what he wanted to do when he was 40 years old. And pick the path that offered the best chance of him getting there.

The Rangers checked all his boxes. He gets to do some cool things, get experience he’d never get in the civilian world, and get some of the best training possible for his career path.

What does your son envision doing when he is 40?

Really don’t mean to hijack your thread, man.

My boy wants to be in federal LE. Here’s the tick. When I was 17, I wanted to be recon. Bad. My dad made me read a bunch of books from Vietnam about recon units being over run, completely wiped out, etc. I had the mental aptitude and physical ability. I chose a career field instead of what I really wanted.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I would change nothing about how my life has gone down. I’ve had a wonderful career. But, I’ve always regretted not just doing what I wanted, instead of doing what I was advised. And I carry that baggage into my sons choice. Or more likely, I’m just trying to be the active, interested observer, instead of enforcing my will on him. He’s smart. He’s fit. Physically you can’t hurt him. He likely understands the ramifications of what he wants better than 99 percent of the kids his age.

I plan to stand back, and help him get the best deal he possibly can in whatever job field he decides on. Whether it be radio repairman, Green Beret, or recon.

Make sure that before he actually signs the papers that everything that the recruiter promised is in guarented in writing. Reason is that if while they do the security clearance or other background checks and something is found then that contract can go out the window and the contract is null and void . As a Drill Sgt/Ft Sill, Okla for Pershing Missle Crewman I saw several recruits who for different reasons the clearance was denied and as shipped out to different duties because once the clearance was denied you were screwed as to where you were sent. Even after graduation they could not even go to a Pershing unit less than 3 miles away across post. Had on recruit that stayed and waited for clearance for almost 6 months and while waiting became part of the instructors untill clearance denied as was assigned as a supply clerk to FEMALE Recruit unit at Ft.Rucker, Alabama. About 3 months later he made a short visit and was complaining that the recruits would not leave him alone. ......... I wish your son well in his path. Sounds like a determined young man. ................ drill sgt.

Wonderful to hear of acts of patriotism! Good for him! He will be more able to write his own ticket after his service.

And I continue to ask, if not your son, then who?

He's already a hero...

Looking at that roster you posted and saying "Fuck yeah...I can do that!" says a lot.

Congrats to you both.

EDITED TO ADD:

Compare your sons next 2.5 year choice to a SJW college weenie deciding on his "electives".

"Should I take basket weaving or LBGLMNOQ sensitivity?"

Bwahahhhahhaahhaha

He's got to be a terrific young man, you did a great job raising him. Best of luck to him.

OUTFUCKINGSTANDING!!

The Army has enough trouble finding pre-qualified candidates for SOCOM slots, never mind getting them through the pipeline. Once he ships for training, they're gonna want to see him excell. Best of luck to your son in his Army career.

Best of luck to him. I was drafted in Sept. of 62 and still think they were the best most interesting years of my life.

ASKSmith, that is absolutely outstanding. Congratulations on raising such a fine son and patriot.

One of my medical school classmates had been in the Army; I don't recall if the Army paid for his medical schooling, but he had it worked out he could do his residency in a military hospital, and would have something like 11 years to go to retire at age 45. I say this only because if he really wants it, his Army career could open that kind of opportunity.

Please keep us all up to date on his career.

Salute!! Army 68-74.

quote:

Originally posted by sjtill:
ASKSmith, that is absolutely outstanding. Congratulations on raising such a fine son and patriot.

One of my medical school classmates had been in the Army; I don't recall if the Army paid for his medical schooling, but he had it worked out he could do his residency in a military hospital, and would have something like 11 years to go to retire at age 45. I say this only because if he really wants it, his Army career could open that kind of opportunity.

Please keep us all up to date on his career.

I went to high school with the son of an Army Doc. He (The Doctor) told me the Army paid for his schooling but he had to serve 8 years to fulfill his obligation. I believe he got some reduction in that time for serving in combat hospitals. He retired from the Army after 20 years and went into private practice. (Orthopedic surgeon)

Congratulations!

quote:

Originally posted by mrapteam666:
In 2009 when I went to re-enlist after about a 17 year break in service

Holy shit. I can't imagine a 17 year break in service.

AskSmith great job and congratulations to your son.

Please tell your son how proud I am of him, and how proud I am for you and your wife. He always has a free haircut at my shop!

He is packing the right gear to serve in a Tier one unit. Thank goodness there are people like him.

Take solace in the knowledge that your son will be surrounded by the very best, and they'll watch out for him with a fierceness. Everybody loves Doc.

Tell him welcome to the machine for me. It's a hell of a ride and definitely has its moments.

He locked in his contract yesterday and took the oath. Unfortunately, due to Covid concerns, guests were not allowed.

He ran the USMC marathon last October. That was a fun trip, that was his first experience in Washington DC, seeing the monuments up close and personal. I was commenting to my wife the other day, how fast this year has gone by. My son ships out in 8 months. Where does the time go???

I honestly can’t put into words how proud I am of him. And even better is the pride he has in himself. He can’t wait to take on the challenges.

We have a close family friend who is a Viet Nam USMC Combat vet. My son had always talked about joining the USMC since he could talk. When my son turned 14, our friend gave him the Ka-Bar he carried in Viet Nam. I asked my buddy a few days ago, does my son have to give th Ka-Bar back?