Ever since my son could talk, he has talked about joining the military. Most specifically for the entire time, he wanted to join the Marines. I had a talk with him about two years ago, and asked where he saw himself in 40 years, and he mentioned something in the health field. I suggested the Marines would probably not be the best option for his future goals. He researched it, looked into the USAF PJ's, but he was unsure about their swimming requirements (I had a friend who attempted this, and kept having shallow water blackouts). He also researched the Navy Corpsman, but he didn't like the fact that he could be "attached" to a Marine unit, instead of being an actual member of the team. I'm not sure how the Navy works, and we didn't pursue it, but we weren't even sure if he could choose his path as becoming a Corpsman attatched to a Marine unit. And then he discovered the Army Rangers.

About a year ago, we met with a recruiter and told him his wishes. We were looking for a very specific contract, a 68W with an Option 40. What this means in Army speak, is his AIT (MOS for us jarheads) will be a Combat Medic, with a guarantee he will attend RASP (Ranger Assessment Selection Process), but this is not a guarantee he will become a Ranger. I told the recruiter we are willing to wait until a contract opens, and we won't sign anything until we get it in writing. A few weeks later, the phone rang, and my son got his 68W with Option 40 contract.

Last week, at my son's high school award ceremony, the recruiter showed up to give away some ROTC scholarships, and then called my son up on stage to be recognized for joining the Army, and possibly becoming a Ranger. He was not supposed to do this, my school is not very military friendly, but I thanked the recruiter as he took a huge chance. They don't even allow recruiters access to students in the building, only to give a scholarships at an award ceremony. But this was probably the highlight of my son's high school career.

Last week, my son graduated from high school, and I was able to take him and 5 of his friends on a 3 day camping trip. Just trying to spend as much time with him as I can, as he swears in on the 28th, and flies out on the 29th to Ft. Jackson, SC.

To get his contract, the recruiter said he "blew the ASVAB" out of the water, he had to have scores good enough not only for a 68W, but RASP as well. He scored Honors in high school, and is a workout freak, most specifically running, which is a huge Ranger requirement. He recently ran an official best one mile time of 4.59min. His 5k times are around 17min, 5 mile times are 32min (Ranger standards are 40min), his 1/2 marathon times are 1:31, and he ran his first and only full marathon in Washington DC, as he won a spot to run the Marine Corps Marathon. He's been rucking alot with a 40lb pack, which was suggested by some friends who are former Rangers. He recently got promoted to E2 for getting some basic requirements out of the way: Land Nav, Army rank and structure, and a few others.

To say I am proud is an understatement. I'm excited, jealous, and nervous all at the same time. I knew once June hit, time would fly by, and it has. Alot of graduation parties, time with friends, time with family, etc...

He signed a 4yr contract, and will basically be training the entire 4 yrs. If this is incorrect, someone please correct me. But his journey begins at boot camp for 8 weeks. Combat Medic school is 16 weeks. 3 weeks of Airborne school. 8 weeks of RASP. If he gets through RASP, he will more than likely be deployed. Once he returns, he will attend Ranger school, which I believe is another 8 weeks. Following that, he will attend SOCM (Special Operations Combat Medic School) for 6 months. This is one of the most elite trauma schools in the world. All the Combat Medic SpecOps, FBI, DEA, and all the other alphabet letters attend this school. It is very fast paced, and is described as "taking a sip through a garden hose" with the amount of knowledge they have to learn in a short amount of time. They even do surgical procedures on goats. Another aspect of the training is they will be sent to EMS units throughout the country to get "on the job" experience dealing with gunshots, knife wounds, etc... A typical 11B Ranger usually gets deployed 3 times in 4 yrs, but by the time a Combat Medic gets to Battalion, he has only done one deployment due to the length of training.

Time will tell what his future plans will be, he has mentioned college and/or med school. But he has always wanted to do this first.

Wish him luck, he'll need it. Barring injury, I think he will. He is very more determined than a typical 18y/o.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ASKSmith,

Good Luck to your son
I wish I could have gotten 68W when I originally enlisted.

It is a great MOS with a wide variety of assignments and units. (OR zero the way the Army runs things)

Thank you for your son stepping up
Thank you for supporting him

I just extended for another two years and then my 13 years is coming to a close.

I hope he goes somewhere good for Basic but AIT with be at Fort Sam which is a great training area. Also the Army has really improved the training for 68W. It is no longer the 10week band aid course.

I cannot speak for RASP but what one ranger told me when I went back to boot camp at 37. Do a nice steady pace, and give about 68%. Then when it is time to perform give 100%.

Of course I was 36 and that was my second time through basic.

Congratulations and best of luck to your son. My biggest regret was not following my desire to serve in the military. Good on him for following his dream.

Congratulations! You have a lot to be proud of. I have a nephew who will be attending RASP this fall. The attrition rate is significant but it sounds like your son is taking it seriously which should be a huge advantage.

Please keep us posted.

Regarding your son's desire for a future in the medical field - my doc at the local VA clinic was a Navy corpsman for 12 years and attached to SEAL teams for most of them. Then he transferred to Army for their PA (Physician's Assistant) Training and, again, was with special forces teams for another 10 years. Short of getting a medical degree, I think PA is as good as one can get in the field.

Congratulations to both your son and his proud Papa!

Congratulations and thank you to your son for his service. You must be a pretty proud father. Sounds like you have done a great job.

Congratulations. It looks like your son knows what he wants and is well on his way to a bright future.

Today, June 14th, is the 246th Birthday of the United States Army.

Congratulations to you on giving your son the opportunity to choose his path.

Congratulations to your son for choosing a career of service to our country. I wish him a future of great success.

I am pleased that your son has begun the journey to achieve his dreams, and understand your pride. I pray that it continues to work in his favor and that he is successful. The country needs dedicated, hard working military men.

flashguy

OUTSTANDING!

Congratulations to him and to you.

Wow - congratulations! Thanks to all who serve, have served and will serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. Please pass my congrats and well wishes on to your son. Men such as he carry the light of their generation.

Congrats to him and you (for raising such an impressive son)!!! It's so refreshing to see "kids" like this and know that they have exactly the qualities we NEED within our military and government generally.

I’m an 11B, (technically an 11A officer now) but otherwise went the same route out of high school, basic, AIT, Airborne School then RIP (now RASP.)

All he needs to do is pay attention, have a think skin (nothings personal), move quickly and… Not Quit!!!

90% of making it into an elite unit is just not quitting.

Congradulations!! Good for him and you!!

I will 2nd what Strambo says...having the mental fortitude to keep driving is huge.

His running ability will help immensely.

Also a couple of suggestions

- Rucking is great but can also lead to injuries, using the step machine and squats are a very good substitute and used to be suggested to those going to SFAS. Or ruck light 25lb a couple times a week and heavy 40lb-65lb once or twice a week

- practice land nav...and keep practicing it, the basic Army instruction is nothing compared to what he will need to know. If you have a place to set up points you can set up a good course. I would suggest legs be 2-6km each and varied terrain so he can learn all methods. Google STAR land nav course, SF uses it and it can be grueling especially at night.

- Since he will not be coming from 11B school make sure he learn infantry skills level 1 and 2 and get a copy of FM 7-8 and 7-85 https://idoc.pub/documents/us-...level-1-k6nq6511d9lw

https://www.armystudyguide.com..._manuals/fm-78.shtml

Please keep us updated

Gentlemen, I love all the kind words, encouragement, and advice from those who have “Been there, done that”.

I have feelings I’ve never felt before. I am extremely proud of what he hopes to accomplish. But I’m also his dad, and I have the “what if” moments in the back of my head.

I know medics get treated like royalty, when things go bad, they are the ones that make it good. So that is a huge plus in the back of my head.

I’ve had friends ask me how I felt about it, and I basically said he is 18 now, it’s not my choice, it’s his decision. So I can only support him 100% of the way.

RANGERS LEAD THE WAY!!!

He will be an asset to all those he serves with. He sounds like a driven and motivated young man. We need more like him.

You have much to be proud of.

Congratulations!
He's got a great path laid out in front him.
Challenges and rewards are there for the taking.

Congrats to the son for his desire to serve in the military and congrats for raising a son who has that desire to serve. Sounds like he knows what he wants and willing to work for it. As far as a medic being royality is a understatement. I learned that there were 4 people that were not to be messed with=== Cook because he fed you, Mail clerk because he brought you your mail , 1st Sgt because he controlled the duty roster , Medic because he took care of your medical issues. Wishing the best for everyone. ................................................................ drill sgt.

quote:

Originally posted by smlsig:
Congratulations! You have a lot to be proud of. I have a nephew who will be attending RASP this fall. The attrition rate is significant but it sounds like your son is taking it seriously which should be a huge advantage.

Please keep us posted.

smlsig, please keep up posted as well. My son should hit RASP in Feb/22.

We hit the two week mark today. He will officially swear in, be put up into a hotel, and fly out the next day. Time is going by very quickly…