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..

Gypsy · 03-01-2007, 17:12

Great article!

Warrior-Mentor · 03-01-2007, 17:52

Hats off to MSG Self.

echoes · 03-02-2007, 13:38

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.

Holly

**Pete** · 03-02-2007, 14:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warrior-Mentor

Hats off to MSG Self.

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete

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

AxeMan · 03-02-2007, 15:14

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!

SF18C · 03-02-2007, 20:45

Staight up stud!!! Bust of luck to you, MSG Self.

bubba · 03-02-2007, 20:59

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!

AxeMan · 03-03-2007, 19:20

Oh yeah.......I forgot to remind everyone.

Don't forget that Chris is a Combat Diver!

.........MDW

**Dan** · 04-29-2007, 15:07

[April 27, 2007, 8:48 pm]
"Special Forces Soldier Runs First Marathon As Amputee"
http://www.wkrn.com/nashville/news/s...utee/92076.htm

Quote:

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.