Introductions III - Page 59

ccsteffler · 09-22-2007, 16:24

My name is Charles. I am from Houston, TX. I am interested in SF, so I am here to listen and not to speak. Thanks for this great resource.

freeheel · 09-23-2007, 14:47

Howdy -- it's a privilege to be a guest on this site, and I want to thank you all for your service at this difficult time. I'm a civilian physician assistant. I practice in a small-town emergency room WAY upstream in the Rockies. Thanks in advance for your patience with what is going to be a LONG-WINDED intro.

I'm 47. I served in the Marines in the early 1980s, then went into journalism ... but tired of that profession's pervasive dishonesty after several years and decided, in my thirties, to pursue a career in medicine. I became a PA in 2000. Right now I'm intent on joining the Army as a battalion medical officer. My application package is complete, and an Oct 16 selection board is supposed to decide my fate. I'm just under the wire age-wise, but there are some medical and other considerations that might keep me out.

If I get in, I want to go to Iraq ASAP and get experience at managing trauma.

My interest in SF, oddly, results from my journalism background. From 1987 through 1994, I reported extensively from Afghanistan. By October 1994, the civil war seemed stalemated, so I headed stateside to take pre-med courses. As I brushed away flies in the departure lounge at Peshawar Int'l Airport, I recall reading a short blurb in a Pakistani paper about a ragtag student ('Talib') militia that had just emerged and was trying to take over Kandahar ... !

The things I and a few colleagues did routinely in the 'old' days -- like walking over some of the world's highest mountains for a week to find and interview a local leader -- are just completely beyond the ken of today's media hacks.

I can't help but daydream that my background might make me useful to Special Forces. Besides my OJT in Dari and Pashto, I studied Arabic in college. I can't speak it, that was 25 years ago, but I have a base to build on. For what it's worth, I'm certain I'm fit enough, despite my age, to complete the qual course.

However I use the verb 'daydream' advisedly. My best info is that it's next to impossible to get posted to SF or Ranger units without already having a special ops background prior to becoming a PA ... which in fact makes perfect sense to me. If I were an SF or Ranger battalion commander, I wouldn't want it any other way. So my plan now is to try to get into an infantry, preferably Airborne unit, go to Iraq, pay my dues, learn and do as much as I can ... and then ponder my options. Obviously I would appreciate any and all advice from 'quiet professionals'. But I've only done a couple of cursory searches on this site on "physician assistant" and "medical officer." So I'll hold specific questions til after I've done more homework. Thanks again for your service -- and your patience. Semper Fi!

JustinW20 · 09-23-2007, 15:38

NDD-

Thanks for the welcome. I've been enjoying and learning from your posts for a while. Looks like we share a birthday. Happy Birthday, sir!

Justin

ArandTallwite · 09-23-2007, 17:10

My name is Andy. I am a SFQC student. Just heard about this forum from a quiet professional, browsed through it and liked it. So here I am, working to become a quiet professional.

**Team Sergeant** · 09-23-2007, 18:19

Welcome all!

ArandTallwite, glad to hear it now go do PT.

Team Sergeant

ArandTallwite · 09-23-2007, 18:31

PT. . . Is that the thing were you run around and do other things that make you tired? Where is the fun in that. . .

m.tallon · 09-25-2007, 10:13

Gentlemen. Nice website where I have some common interests. Name's Mark. I grew up as an Army Brat. I served in the enlisted ranks in the 5th SFGA, mid 1970's. Specialty was 2nd heaviest guy on the team.....Commo!....Left the Army to go to school.....Later re-enlisted in 11th SFG(R) in Winston Salem, NC. Best people in the world. I see the 11th is gone.... A shame.
...Now, I'm greying and working in Engineering in the Nuclear Power Industry.

Matta mile · 09-25-2007, 18:12

Welcome all!
Nice to have you and great job on submitting Profiles-thanks!

LRP1 · 09-25-2007, 22:17

Ah, Jerome (Jerry), I see you have slithered your way over here. Don't try to feed these guys your sack of BS..They will not go for it.

You did graduate RS, as a ROTC Cadet, Class 502..Your records state that..BUT that is all. You did start SFQC, however, you DID not finish.

Jerome, I will not waste space on this site over you..Remember I do have your records.

CPTAUSRET · 09-25-2007, 22:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by LRP1

Ah, Jerome (Jerry), I see you have slithered your way over here. Don't try to feed these guys your sack of BS..They will not go for it.

You did graduate RS, as a ROTC Cadet, Class 502..Your records state that..BUT that is all. You did start SFQC, however, you DID not finish.

Jerome, I will not waste space on this site over you..Remember I do have your records.

LRP1:

Glad you are here! I just quoted you a while ago.

mark46th · 09-26-2007, 00:12

Howdy- I was in the 5thSFG at Ft Bragg 1971, 46th SFCo 1972-74 and 12th SFG(R) 4-74 to 4-75. Nice to see some old friends here.

Enthusiast · 09-26-2007, 12:07

Hello,

I am a Police Officer and have been one for a little over six years. My intrests are Family, Firearms, Training, Fitness, Reading, and Learning. I probably won't post a whole lot, I will just spend a lot of time learining.

sgtstumpy · 09-26-2007, 13:14

My name is Michael Weatherly. Bata-Boot was my step dad and I am looking for picture (any year) and stories about my dad. All the original SF guys always got quiet when I walked up to a group at the SF Association picnics. I'm retired USAF and I was in the AF Special Ops because dad always told me to learn a trade that I can make money on when I got out. He didn't talk about his service very often and when he did it was usually sitting in the kitchen drinking coffee at 0 dark thirty with the lights out and the glow of his cigarrette. I loved that man and now that he's been gone over 10 years I am wanting to know more about him and the SF buddies that served with him. I was so fortunate to have meet some great guys of whom I can't remember all their names but a few are uncle Dan pitzer, Col. Nick Rowe, John Cleckner, Mr. Bobby Turner. The trips to Camp MacKall to pick dad up from instructor duty at phase 3 school to the helicopter ride he set up to take my sister and me when we were preteens to the outer banks of N.C. just to get some really cool sea shells. Cookouts at "Smoke Bomb Hill" were always fun and going out to the drop zones watching new troops jump from the sky. What kid wouldn't love tossing smoke grenades with a smile on your dads face as you pop it and throw it. I remember " red smoke Mike!" Pop, hiss throw. So if anyone will share a picture and rememberance of a great man please do so.

God bless the USA
TSgt (USAF Ret) Michael Weatherly

ScottyJnr7 · 09-27-2007, 06:47

G'day all,

Im Scotty, First thing I'll say, Im not a soldier nor have I ever been so if i'm not accepted into your community no hard feelings

But anywho I'm a year off beginning my enlistment into the Australian Army as a Rifleman going to 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (Hopfully). Im currently a Army Cadet with a private cadet unit (wow that makes me sound posh.. I like it).

So hopfully I'll get to know a lot of you and learn a lot

Cheers Scotty

ArizonaState · 09-27-2007, 07:01

Hello,

I am an activated reservist, currently deployed in support of OEF. Upon coming back, planning to re-class as 98G. Talked to few guys over here, found out about SOT-A, and became very interested in information about teams on AD or in NG.