View Full Version : Special Forces Soldier makes unusual jump
SouthernDZ
03-01-2007, 10:20
Special Forces Soldier makes unusual jump
FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, Feb. 27, 2007) – Master Sgt. Christopher Self exited a C-130, deployed his parachute, and executed a near-perfect landing during an airborne operation at Fort Campbell, Ky., Feb. 23.
While this occurrence has taken place more than 70 times in Self’s career, this was the first time he had jumped as an amputee after losing partial use of his right leg in combat Dec. 28, 2005.
“We have all known soldiers that can contribute to Airborne units that can no longer jump, but jumping is a part of being Special Forces,” said Self, the 5th Special Forces Group dive locker NCO. “I have always loved to jump and knew that if I was going to stay in I would have to be able to jump again. It really did not feel any different from any of my other jumps, except the anticipation leading up to leaving the aircraft which I will equate to my first jump at Airborne School.”
Self was assigned to an Iraqi Army base in 2005 when he came across an armed, 16-man prison escape. Though he and his men eliminated the threat, he was shot in both legs during the firefight that ensued. He was evacuated to Germany, then sent to recover at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Maryland.
“When I was in Walter Reed, doctors were optimistic about my nerves healing, but over the next seven months my leg never improved,” Self said. “After six Electromyograms (muscle nerve function tests) and three different neurologists, the conclusion was I would never run or be athletic again. The only option that would allow me to continue to do the thing I love was to have the leg amputated below the knee.”
The amputation was performed in July, 2006, and Self was fitted for a prosthetic replacement shortly afterwards. Self explained that he has several versions: one for everyday use, one for scuba diving, one for riding a bicycle, and a running leg that he plans to use to run several upcoming marathons. Though his legs serve many purposes, the main reason for them is to enable him to perform as a Soldier.
“I have always intended on staying in the Army until I no longer enjoyed what I was doing,” Self explained. “I had just extended to stay until 25 years, and I felt it was my responsibility to try to stick to that commitment. I feel like I can still contribute to the Army and Special Forces.”
Self will begin to contribute to Special Forces in a new way when he takes over the position of 1st Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group Headquarters Support Company first sergeant later this year. His new unit is deployed regularly, but he said he is not nervous about going back downrange.
“My goals are to have my company ready to support the ODAs (Operational Detachment-Alpha), be prepared to react to any situation that they might face and to bring everyone home in one piece,” Self said. “My company will be prepared to provide the ODAs with whatever they need to accomplish their mission.”
Self said that he hasn’t changed much throughout his ordeal, but knows it could have been a lot worse. Plus, he appreciates the time he gets to spend with his family more than before.
“I didn’t choose what happened to me so I would not say that I am tough at all,” Self said. “I have simply tried to improve on what I have. I think that is what makes our Special Forces so good; we constantly focus on improvement instead of looking at the negative side of a situation
Irish_Army01
03-01-2007, 10:35
Best of Luck to Master Sgt. Christopher Self..:lifter
Warrior-Mentor
03-01-2007, 17:52
Hats off to MSG Self. :lifter
Just a civilian here...But GREAT thinking! It is exactly why I honor and respect SF.
Ya'll do so much for some civilians, with Your posts, and I am sure You do not even know it. :o
Holly
Hats off to MSG Self. :lifter
I'm sitting here with a brain cramp 'cause I forgot the name of the SF soldier with one leg who ran around the Matta Mile in the late 70s. (SFC Parker ?) We even talked about him here a while back.
He worked up in the White House somewhere and got to do his jumps on Shark DZ.
You can never keep an SF Soldier down, they just keep on coming.
Pete
SouthernDZ
03-02-2007, 14:16
I'm sitting here with a brain cramp 'cause I forgot the name of the SF soldier with one leg who ran around the Matta Mile in the late 70s. (SFC Parker ?) We even talked about him here a while back.
He worked up in the White House somewhere and got to do his jumps on Shark DZ.
You can never keep an SF Soldier down, they just keep on coming.
Pete
SGM Carlos A. Parker, C/1/7th SFGA
incommin
03-02-2007, 15:08
Back in the mid 60's there were a couple of individuals in the 7th and 3rd who had lost limbs but were still on jump status. They made water jumps and or dry land landings.....they also passed the PT tests of the day....
Jim
Chris and I used to ride mountain bikes together when we were going through the 18E course years ago. He was always so competitive, you coudn't get in front of him without him just about knocking you over to regain the lead. I spoke to him a couple of months ago and was amazed at his positive attitude. The way I undestand it, he asked them to take off his leg because he figured that he would be more capable with the prosthetic devices. All he wanted to do is go back to a team.
You younger guys take heed, this is the example of what an SF guy is.
Good job Chris!
.......MDW
CoLawman
03-02-2007, 20:22
Ovation!
Staight up stud!!! Bust of luck to you, MSG Self.
I was on the second lift, couldn't have ask for a better day to jump. Hats off to Chris, and all others who have that kind of courage.
deanwells
03-03-2007, 11:37
That's awesome. Hat's off to MSG SELF!
Oh yeah.......I forgot to remind everyone.
Don't forget that Chris is a Combat Diver!
.........MDW
[April 27, 2007, 8:48 pm]
"Special Forces Soldier Runs First Marathon As Amputee"
http://www.wkrn.com/nashville/news/special-forces-soldier-runs-first-marathon-as-amputee/92076.htm
One of the 32,000 people running the Country Music Marathon Saturday is Special Forces soldier Chris Self.
Master Sergeant Chris Self is an Elite Special Forces soldier with 5th Special Forces group at Fort Campbell.
Self said, "I think it is a good first marathon. It is my wife’s first too.”
For the last few months, Self has been preparing to run the Music City Marathon.
The Music City Marathon will not be his first marathon, but it will be his first time to run a marathon as an amputee.
Self said, “I did it before I got hurt so I obviously wanted to keep doing it. People who...
...did it before they got hurt are probably not going to pick it up.”
In December 2005 self lost his foot to amputation after being shot in Iraq.
Self said, “They told me I would never run again, and I was like, we will see about that.”
Last August Self took his first steps with his new leg.
For Self, losing a limb was just a minor inconvenience. He decided this injury would not hold him back.
Self said, “You can pick up life where you left off you know.”
Completing the marathon won't be an easy task.
Self said, “Yeah, it is going to hurt. It hurt when I had twolegs. It is going to hurt my good leg as much as it is going to hurt my prosthetic leg. It is just a matter of I don’t know, how much it will hurt.”
Self said he is prepared for the pain, and it will hardly slow him down.
Self said, “As you can see, I’m not going to set any land speed records. Four and a half hours, give or take, but completing it will be fine too.”
Chris Self is already signed up for four more races this year.
He also has over 21 years in the Army and plans on staying in a total of 30 years.
Outstanding, best wishes to MSG Self to complete this marathon!
Here's Chris's results from yesterday!
ClockTime: 3:13:35
Overall: 12,475 of about 32,000 runners
Sex Place: 5,710 of 7,194 male runners
Here's Chris's results from yesterday!
ClockTime: 3:13:35
Overall: 12,475 of about 32,000 runners
Sex Place: 5,710 of 7,194 male runners
Well done indeed! Kick some ass! :lifter
Very inspiring, to say the least.
Holly
Here's Chris's results from yesterday!
ClockTime: 3:13:35
Overall: 12,475 of about 32,000 runners
Sex Place: 5,710 of 7,194 male runners
I believe that is fast enough to qualify for Boston, which many non-amputee runners never do! Outstanding and inspirational!
Here's Chris's results from yesterday!
ClockTime: 3:13:35
He beat his own estimate of 4.5 hours. That's just awesome, congrats MSG!
It's good to see someone who can overcome a debilitating War Injury like this. Especially when you see able bodied men in New Orleans still sitting around with their hands out.
Good Job
The Reaper
04-29-2007, 18:03
Here's Chris's results from yesterday!
ClockTime: 3:13:35
Overall: 12,475 of about 32,000 runners
Sex Place: 5,710 of 7,194 male runners
For you kiddies out there bitching or bragging about running 15:00 two milers, a one legged, middle aged man just did it 13 times consecutively.
For those of you complaining about a twelve mile ruck in three hours, he would have finished it in less than 90 minutes.
Think about that when you are running next time and you start to feel a little tired.
Way to go, MSG. Huevos grandes!
TR
Soft Target
07-16-2008, 06:47
Greatness comes in many forms. MSG Self personifies it. Saw comments about Carlos Parker, Roy Boatman was another one. He kept jumping, sport and on the job, for several years. Roy would be proud.
I stumbled upon this (albeit late) today on my State Guard's homepage. It goes to show that this is yet another reason why the "Special" is in the tab. Outstanding! :lifter
http://www.md.ngb.army.mil/absolutenm/templates/?a=722&z=11
GRENADA, Miss. – Faced with a long recovery and the reality that he might not ever run, surf or return to his Special Forces team, Staff Sgt. Andre Murnane made the decision last year to have his right leg amputated below the knee after it was shattered by an improvised explosive device that detonated in eastern Afghanistan.
“My dreams and ambitions didn’t end that day. It simply started a new chapter,” he said....
Santo Tomas
10-14-2010, 13:08
Dudes harder than woodpecker lips.....
That is some Drive On Spirit! Best of luck MSG Self!
Staff Sgt. Andre Murnane, Good Luck & Thank you for your service..
:lifter:D:lifter
& thanks for the post..
greenberetTFS
10-14-2010, 14:46
I know I've said this before but guys like this make you feel proud that they are the SPECIAL in Forces............:lifter:lifter:lifter
Big Teddy :munchin
Utah Bob
10-16-2010, 22:30
Damn fine!:lifter
Green Light
10-17-2010, 15:53
Proud of both of them!
As my old friend Southern DZ said early in the thread (couple of years ago) SGM Parker was a one-legged guy.
I met him while he was an SFC. I was in SFQC and needed a pay jump (it was my 6th). We were sitting side by side in the C-141. I could see out the door while we were still on the ground. The sky was getting darker and darker as it got later. I realized that this would be a night jump and started sweating. Carlos, always enthusiastic, elbowed me in the ribs. "Hey", he said, "are you OK?" Not wanting to be pegged as a cherry jumper I said "I haven't jumped at night in a long time." (ever) He laughed and said "It's the same as daytime, only darker!"
He looked down at his boot and said "Damn! My boot's untied." He reached down and pulled his leg off and tightened his boot lace. I thought "HOLY COW! WHAT HAVE I GOTTEN MYSELF INTO?" He laughed and got out another boot lace and tied it to the top of his boot and his belt. "Last time I jumped I lost the damned thing." After that, the pressure was off.
When I got to 5th Group, I'd see him every day running the MATA Mile. Later on, he was our company SGM. He retired and went to SWC as a GS. We saw each other a couple of times a week. He was always in a good mood.
About a year before I retired, an old friend of mine came by the office. I hadn't heard, but he'd lost his leg in a motorcycle accident. He woke up from surgery and got the news. He thought that his life was over and couldn't see any future doing the things he loved. Later that afternoon, SGM Parker walked in, took off his leg, and threw it up on the bed. He looked at my friend and said "OK, what are you going to do now?" At that moment my friend knew that it was going to be all right.
These guys who return to service after losing a limb do more than serve their country, they inspire us. My respect for these QPs is boundless.
Another PAO Article about Chris!
http://news.soc.mil/releases/News%20Archive/2010/October/101019-01.html
RELEASE NUMBER: 101019-01
DATE POSTED: OCTOBER 19, 2010
Disabled Special Forces Soldiers ride in endurance challenge
By Staff Sgt. Ernest Henry IV
5th SFG (A) Public Affairs
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (USASOC News Service, Oct. 19, 2010) – Leading an active lifestyle is an integral task in the life of a Soldier, and can become routine after years of repetition. But for wounded Soldiers, the journey to achieving a sense of normalcy can be a long one, where the seemingly routine task of physical training presents new challenges.
Sgt. Maj. Christopher Self faced these challenges with the same focus and determination he uses for other aspects of his job as a Green Beret.
"While in Iraq in 2005, I was shot through both legs,” said Self, Charlie Company, 4th Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) sergeant major. "The gunshot through my right leg severed my sciatic nerve and subsequently had to be amputated below the knee."
Before his injury, Self, a self-professed natural athlete, would tackle anything physical, regularly participating in triathlons, ironman competitions and endurance events.
"If I had the chance to do it, I'd try it," Self said. "Whether it was weightlifting, cycling or running. In fact, I ran my first marathon on a dare with no training. So if it's physical, I'll try it and if it hurts, I'll try it again."
But following his amputation, Self was faced with the prospect of never fully resuming his active lifestyle, until he heard about Operation Rebound. Funded through the Challenged Athletes Foundation, Operation Rebound is a program which primarily deals with providing aid to wounded military and other first responders like law enforcement and firefighters.
"I found out about the Challenged Athletes Foundation while I was recovering in Walter Reed, through a fellow amputee,” he said. “He told me about the CAF, the work they do and invited me to one of their events. After that, I just had to get involved."
Self began participating in various events held by the foundation, including their annual Million Dollar Challenge which takes place October 16-22. Similar to a professional cycling event, the Million Dollar Challenge is a 620 mile-long bike ride along the California coastline and is divided into seven checkpoints, starting in San Francisco and ending in San Diego. The ultimate goal being to raise funds which will help toward the payment of hand cycles, racing chairs, sports chairs and sports prosthetics for challenged athletes, as well as assistance with their competition and training expenses.
"One of the main reasons I continue to endorse CAF is their overwhelming support to challenged athletes, especially the children," said Self. "Most people don't know, but insurance doesn't cover sports prosthetics and these things aren't cheap. My running leg cost ten-thousand dollars, and I have two. My cycling leg cost 15-thousand dollars. They even helped me get the bike I used for last year's ride.”
Unlike last year where Self competed alone, he'll have a partner on this year's challenge, which he feels will add a whole new dynamic to the ride.
"This year, I'll be doing it with Gil Magallenes, a retired 5th Group guy and fellow challenged athlete, and we’ll be riding in tandem,” he said. “It's the first time two Special Forces challenged athletes have competed, so it'll be interesting. We've only trained together three times prior to the ride, so I expect there will be a steep learning curve the first couple of days until we get in rhythm."
Challenged Athletes Foundation is a charitable organization, so one part of participating in the events is giving back to the foundation through donation. While Self and Magallenes have completed some of the most grueling physical challenges known to man, they needed some assistance.
"Our wives, Dana [Self], and Sheri Magallenes did all the heavy lifting as far as fundraising," Self said. "Together, they raised almost 20 thousand dollars in donations by making phone calls and holding fundraisers for us to be able to take part in the challenge."
--usasoc--
lonewolf726
10-20-2010, 06:36
About a year before I retired, an old friend of mine came by the office. I hadn't heard, but he'd lost his leg in a motorcycle accident. He woke up from surgery and got the news. He thought that his life was over and couldn't see any future doing the things he loved. Later that afternoon, SGM Parker walked in, took off his leg, and threw it up on the bed. He looked at my friend and said "OK, what are you going to do now?" At that moment my friend knew that it was going to be all right.
Would that be Ortiz?