Introductions III

[ryobi]

Hello all...I'm an FNG just accepted to 2-20th, MS, prepping for selection and learning as much as I can on this site...it's already been extremely helpful. Prior AF enlisted/officer, ALO deployments w/ 10th Mt and III Corps. It's an honor and the opportunity of a life-time attempting to become one of the best.

[sofmed]

I would like to apologise to everyone here for not taking the time to do this prior to starting to post here. Please allow me the opportunity to do so now.

I was originally a Rep-63 from Co. A, 1st BN, 20th SFG (ABN) out of Auburn, Al. During training I had a major injury -- self-correcting hip dislocation with massive labral tear as well as psoas ligament tear among the other connective tussues involved. Two arthroscopic reconstructive hip surgeries later found me having worked establishing the Battalion level medical facility side by side with a close friend for the 3/4 ADAR, 82nd ABN Div. in 2002.

I was then chosen to assist then SGT Danny R in establishing the medical/processessing facility for the 18x program in early 2003 as a 68W, under the direct supervision of then MSG Adrein L and Co. commander we know here as Warrior-Mentor, and I ran daily operations there under the guidance and signature of Col. Warner J. "Butch" A, then Associate Dean of JSOMTC. He was my provider and I worked and reported directy under and to him.

I was most fortunate and honored to have worked with many 18D's, PA's and other medical professionals from the SOF and SF communities during this time frame (3 yrs.) , especially SurgicalCric during his holdover time at SOPC due to shoulder injury. Being allowed to attend multiple classes of the various levels of the 18D course along the way has helped dramatically in building my level of experience as a medic and I am forever indebted to all the men who have given me that opportunity. I am actually deployed at present with Maj. John M, formerly of Group. He taught me a great deal back at SWC, and has continued in this venue here in the sandbox.

I took a break in service (mid-'05 to'06) where I worked along side a wonderful Doctor of Hematology and Oncology in Fayetteville for the better part of a year, where I learned more about blood-borne diseases and etiologies as well as lab techniques. I finally decided to return to active duty as I missed the comraderie and the lifestyle, and was in great hopes of coming back over to the SOF side of things. Instead I found myself deploying to Iraq for now 15 months running teams for EVAC out of the TIF ER at Bucca. We've received many injured from outside the wire, IED, VBIED, EFP, small arms trauma, etc. as well as dealing with the riots, d-on-d violence, regular codes, etc. I have done my best to learn from the trauma docs and nurses here and will continue to be open to anything I can learn from this site and the Professionals who post so much practical knowledge. And as I've stated elsewhere in the forum in general am looking forward to going to SFAS (hopefully within the next 6 to 8 months) and becoming a Special Forces Medical Sergeant, one step at a time.

I have held ACLS, ATLS, PALS certs, but the unit I am currently with did not see the wisdom of sending me to the recert's for these for some ungodly reason. Hence my reason for wanting to go back to the other side of the fence.
That is my history. I have letters from both Col. A and now SGM L if there are any questions as to the validity of my claims here.

Thank you for the opportunity to be part of this community.

Warmest Regards,

Mick H

[Sacamuelas]

SurgCric is all the vetting you need on this site. If you know him and likewise, you have nothing to worry about here. We just want the basics in the profile for everyone. The reader will have the ability to know who/where/what level of training the advice is derived.

[Ambush Master]

sofmed,

Please be more careful and not post full names.

Initials will be plenty for those that know them.

Take care.
Martin

[farmertrav]

Hello, my name is Travis. I'm 26 and live in San Antonio. I joined the USAR in 2003 as a 91D SCRUB TECH. I am a SPC/E-4 and serve on a Forward Surgical Team out of Fort Sam Houston. Thanks for having me on your site.

[sofmed]

Originally Posted by Ambush Master

sofmed,

Please be more careful and not post full names.

Initials will be plenty for those that know them.

Take care.
Martin

Roger, AM. Thanks.

[donny_b]

Hello Men, It's good to be here. I'm Donny B, I spent most of my time in 1/1 (18D/18E). I retired in late 2003 out of Yuma, MFFI 490. Currently, I'm working overseas doing my part by staying in the game. I can't believe it took me so long to find this site. Thanks for having me...........db

[Surgicalcric]

sofmed is who he says he is. He is also a friend as well as one of the best 68w I have had a chance to work with.

Not the guy you want to complain about aches and pains during training to though...

Mick, get your ass to SFAS; you aren't getting any younger...


Crip

[PepperDog]

My name's Billy. I'm a police officer from Chicago. I did a few years in the AirForce wishin' I was cooler. I'm a patrolman and a range instructor. Being able to hang around this sight has been an honor and if I'm allowed to continue I'll do so in relative obscurity.

Thanks...

[Team Sergeant]

Welcome Gents!

Team Sergeant

[Silent Storm151]

Hey everybody,
my names TJ. I found your site yesterday and was instantly hooked on it. Ok so a little about me, I'm currently a senior in H.S. and am also preparing for college (thanks to a 4 year AROTC scholarship). I have wanted to serve in the United States Army since I was very young and in the past few years I have grown to have a lot of interest in Special Operations. Currently I serve in the Civil Air Patrol which is the Civilian Auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. I look forward to reading all of the valuable information on this site and participating in conversation where appropriate.

-TJ

[stonep59]

The first time that I visited this site, I posted an introduction but something must have gone wrong as I'm now being told to post once again.

I attended the Q Course back in '79 as a Wpns Sgt and was stationed at 3rd Bn 10th SF until '86. During my tour in the 10th, I served in Beirut in '84 as well as numerous OCONUS assignments to western europe. I served with ODA's 071 and 095 during this time frame and attended a ton of schools... ranger, halo, scuba, SOT, commo, O&I, and German language to name a few.

I left active duty and joined the 12th SF and was on ODA 1245 from '88 - 93 when I moved to Colorado and transferred to the 19th. I was the Asst Opns Sgt and Opns Sgt for a team in B Co. 5th Bn 19th SFG(A) until '97. During this timeframe, I was activated for Operation Uphold Democracy and served a tour in Haiti(1995).

In '01, I re-joined 5th BN 19th in January and became Team Sgt of ODA 981 in Sep after 9/11. My team was activated for OEF in Dec and I spent the next 18 months on active duty and served a tour in AF. My team did a great job over there and it was definitely the highlight of my SF career.

I retired from the Army National Guard in Aug 2004 and have been active in the SFA ever since. This is a great website and I hope that it continues.

On a side note... please visit http://operationgumdrop.org and show your support for our deployed SF teams that are downrange.

Phil

[FiveOpopo]

Hey Phil,

071 here too. They were in Lebanon when I got to Group in 84.. PM'ing you.

Tim

[stonep59]

Tim,

Thanks for the reply. I left 071 and moved to 095 right after I came back from Beirut in '04. I'm guessing Woody, Mark, Rob and Sly were still there for awhile. I ran into Woody when 10th moved to Colorado but, that was about 11 years ago now. How time flies...

Truth be told... I received an AR-15 for insubordination against the Team Cdr and the BC decided I was better off by switching companies. I think the CDR's last name was NXXX??? The Team Sgt at the time was Dave BXXXXX, I think. Man, my memory is going...

Phil

[Fooj]

Ambush Master clued me into this site long ago -- sharing the dinner table with him, Bill, Jeff, and Tony reminded me that I needed to get my butt in gear and join.

Here to learn.

Dave