Introduction - Trooper Mike

[tpr134]

Good Morning/Afternoon Rangers, civilians, and any other readers.

My name is Mike. I am a State Trooper with the Maryland State Police. I just recently graduated from the MSP Academy in Sykesville, MD October 30, 2009. I joined mainly because I wanted to thank all of you for your thankless service, and I want to learn as much about you as possible so I can become a better Trooper.

Whether you knew it or not, your site was the main reason why I made it through the police academy. To gain a better perspective of this, allow me to expand. I am a guy of small stature at 5'8" and 140 pounds soaking wet. When I entered the Academy I was the smallest person (male and female included). To top it off 7 weeks before the Academy was slated to start I broke my wrist. So doing pushups to prepare was not an option. I did anything else I could to prepare. I ran a lot, situps, one arm pushups with assistance to keep up my stamina, etc. The first day of the Academy (and not to mention that the MSP Academy is ranked the second hardest in the country next to LA County Sheriffs, but it is also 8 weeks longer) was hell. I had food poisoning Sunday night into Monday morning (Day 1), so I got zero hours of sleep the night before the biggest day of my life. That is the first time I thought about Rangers and what you guys do every day over there and that my life is a breeze compared to the challenges you face everyday. With that in mind I got the attitude that the only way I was leaving is if they picked me up and kicked me right in the ass and threw me out. Otherwise, I'll do whatever it takes to get that Badge and honor of being a law enforcement officer.

After the first week of hell, I went home and got on the computer and researched your forum again. That's when I found the pushup program on your PT portion. I did that in addition to the smoking sessions, morning PT, etc. I worked my ass off the entire Academy and I'm proud to report that I came in 4th out of 59 graduating Troopers. We started with 75 and graduated 59 so I not only survived but I excelled.

Our PT program varied differently from the APFT that the Army uses to evaluate physical fitness, but my PT level improved from the following:

one minute pushup - 40
one minute situps - 51
one minute pullups - 11
1.5 mile - 12:20

to the following:

one minute pushup - 72
one minute situps - 69
one minute pullups - 22
1.5 mile - 10:06

I also improved my running that I was able to complete a 10 mile run, and I also improved my 5K for a competition from over 25 minutes to 19:59 seconds and finished 76 out of over 770 runners. I am a firm believer that if were not for this forum I would not have made it through the Academy. Every time I thought about quitting I thought about what would a Ranger do... a Ranger would push on, not only for himself, but for the men standing besides him. One of the most important things I have learned is to do whatever it takes to get you, and almost more importantly, my shift partners home to their families.

As I'm sure all of you are aware of, the law enforcement community has been at war with criminals all over the country. With the recent events in Washington and Pennsylvania, the fight on crime hasn't ever been more real. I feel that being a member of this forum and learning from Rangers and other military personnel will give me a better chance of coming home every night. The number one rule in law enforcement (as I'm sure it's the same with you) - Come home at the end of every shift.

Again, I would like to thank all of you Rangers for your service, and I look forward to learning from you and hopefully you all could learn something from me as well. God Bless.

Trooper Mike

[Kilted Heathen]

That's the best fucking intro I've read from a civilian in years on this site. Good luck in your career and accept my earnest thanks for you stepping into the line of fire on the homefront.
You may still be a LEG but you've got friends here.

Welcome to the site.

[McD]

Thank you for the work you do and Watch Your 6.

[tpr134]

Thank you Rangers for your warm welcome. It is an honor to serve our great nation side by side with such great warriors, even though I do it at the homefront. I do have a question for you Rangers if you don't mind. My ultimate goal is to apply for, try out, and be accepted to the Maryland State Police S.T.A.T.E. (Special Tactical Assault Team Element) Team. That is our version of a S.W.A.T. Team. My question is what would you suggest my training goals be to be in top shape for S.W.A.T. School? From what I can hear it is VERY difficult, however I know I can do it if I put my mind to it; the Police Academy taught me that. Do any of you Rangers or other members reside in the State of Maryland? I just bought some exercise equipment (kettlebells, weights, Bowflex, etc.) for my apartment, and I would love to have a workout partner. If anyone lives around, I'd love to hear from you via PM so as to not violate PERSEC. Thank you again Rangers for the warm welcomes and God Bless America!

[Ranger Bill]

Welcome to the site. Nice introduction.

[Jim]

Welcome; there are a number of us in the DC, NoVa, MD area. Where are you located?

[K.Ingraham]

Welcome Trooper. Thanks for taking on one of the toughest professions there is. You have quite a few 'co-workers' here, including one notable 'left-turn specialist' known here as Ranger513
(the mutual ball-breaking continues)

There's a lot of highly experienced LEOs here from across the country, you're in good company.

(Make sure you note the dates of Ranger Rendevous every other year and ignore fast moving pickup trucks on I-81.)

[hmass]

Welcome Mike,
Great job on the PT improvement. As big as a jump as it was, you can do better. We too, appreciate the fact that you're strapped with live rounds daily. That takes some sack as well, not knowing what idiot you may encounter next. Thanks for your service. RLTW!

[tpr134]

Ranger Bill, thank you for your kind words.

Ranger Jim, as to not violate PERSEC I sent you my city location as a PM.

Ranger K. Ingraham, 10-4 ignore fast moving trucks on I-81... Luckily for the Ranger operating the fast mover, I do not work I-81, so I believe you are in the clear sir.

Last but not least, Ranger hmass thank you for the invite. I do agree that my PT still can improve, especially since my goal is to be on the S.T.A.T.E. Team. Those guys are PT studs, as I'm sure all of you are as well. I'm still working on the pushup improvement plan in addition to my daily workout regimen so I can improve myself.

TPR Mike