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Originally Posted by Snaquebite
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Having been a Ranger (11B) then an 18D I have a unique perspective on this Rangers article. I graduated the SOCM/SFMS in Dec 2000, so the course seems to have changed tremendously, however from what I can tell, the things you learn haven't. There are basic tenets in trauma and medical care and the SOCM students are the best at those! You've mastered what regular medics wish they could be, but never mistake your skills for those of higher medical authority! And you're a shooter first!
I did find the article to be a little melodramatic about the "Lacsidasical" attitude of the SF students vs that of the "highly disciplined" Rangers. The SF mission is about winning hearts and minds (the phrase I was taught was, "you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar"). You don't go to South America and smoke the indig privates because they didn't stand at parade rest for you! The SF students in the course have have probably all lived the life of the "disciplined soldier" most of their careers and are ready to do it differently! This guy will understand that when he gets burnt out in "Battalion" (I did)!
Overall a well written article and lots of good study information and how to keep yourself on task. I had 3 Ranger in my class. All the former Rangers took them under their wings and kept them straight and in the spring of 2000 they brought in the Ranger LNO to keep the Rangers straight. 2 of the Rangers made it, one was a story for the record books (the guy was actually not a Ranger and was on fake orders, very weird case, Black Chinook and all).