SITREP- John

Commo from our members who are in OSUT, Jump School, RIP, Ranger School, etc.
jth456

SITREP- John

Post by jth456 »

Rangers,

This is just a brief SITREP, but I wanted to let you know that I just completed tower week of Airborne School. It was a pretty good week. We did some more jumping out of the 34 ft towers with combat gear on, practiced some more PLF's, had two company runs, learned how to execute proper slips when we prepare to land, practiced diagonal slips, learned how to react to malfunctions and emergency landings, and did some SLT. Most of us are pretty bruised from this week but it was worth it. I'm impressed with how good the training has been. Today, before we were released, we were broken up into our chalks for our five jumps. I just can't believe that Monday is going to be the big day. So pumped for the first jump! I will post a SITREP this coming Monday.
User avatar
IEDmagnet
US Army Veteran
Posts: 969
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 4:48 am

Re: SITREP- John

Post by IEDmagnet »

Feet and knees together. Good luck.
A/3/505 PIR, 82nd 96-98
B/2/121 Inf, 48th BCT Iraq 05-06
B/1/118 Inf, 218th BCT Afghan 07

I'm not stupid, I'm crazy...there is a difference.
jth456

Re: SITREP- John

Post by jth456 »

Well, today was our first day of jump week. Started bright and early at 0400. We were given our pre jump brief, practiced some PLF's, and practiced the mock doors. At around 0600, we ate some chow and then got ready for the rest of the day. We rigged up our T-10's and reserves and sat around for about 3 hours until they let the first two chalks go. I was in one of them. We boarded the C-130 (my adrenaline was pumping like crazy!), took off, flew around for about 25 minutes, came back, landed, only to find out that our jump was cancelled due to the weather that we have been experiencing. I was pretty disappointed when I found out. However, if everything goes well tomorrow, we should be doing two jumps. I am hoping it will happen. I will post a SITREP when I finally have a jump under my belt.
jth456

Re: SITREP- John

Post by jth456 »

Rangers,

I have successfully completed 4/5 jumps for Airborne School. Yesterday we jumped twice and today we were fortunate enough to knock out another two. For all four of them, we used the T-11. I was surprised at how smooth the landings were. I received bad news that we will unfortunately not be doing a night jump. I guess I will get to do more of those later on. I'm just happy that the weather has been great these past two days. All I have to say is, wow, what an amazing feeling it is to get to jump out of those C-130's! I'm having a great time so far. There were a few people in our company who broke their ankles unfortunately. One girl even landed on top of a humvee. She is fine though. Tomorrow, we will be conducting our final jump and this time, it will be with the T-10, Hollywood style. I'm looking forward to knocking this out of the way and getting my wings. I also was taking to the Ranger liaison and was informed that after we graduate, all of the option 40's will meet up and move over to the pre-RASP barracks. We will start pre-RASP this coming Tuesday. I'm guessing we will probably just be doing details all weekend (maybe we will have the weekend off, but I'm not expecting so). I can't believe that it's almost here!
jth456

Re: SITREP- John

Post by jth456 »

I am happy to say that today I graduated from Airborne School and got my wings. It's feels great to know that I have taken another step forward down the road towards my dream of becoming a Ranger. After we graduated, all of the option 40's were taken to battalion classroom and were given a short brief from the Ranger liaison. We found out that we will start pre-RASP this coming Tuesday. The day will start early with a good ole PT test and then we will spend the rest of the day in processing. I can't wait for it to start. Seeing all of the pre-RASP candidates doing runs and ruck marches in the morning always got me fired up. I am looking forward to all of the smoke sessions and good PT that will come with pre-RASP. Airborne School had me feeling pretty lazy during the day. Rangers, I will keep you all updated during my time in pre-RASP.
User avatar
Jim
Rest In Peace Ranger
Posts: 21935
Joined: March 8th, 2005, 10:48 am
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: SITREP- John

Post by Jim »

Good SITREP! Never. never quit!
jth456

Re: SITREP- John

Post by jth456 »

Rangers,

Today I finally started pre-RASP. It was an easy day that consisted of a PT test, tons of time hacks, paperwork, and briefs. Surprising news is that the other 29 guys that came here with me just might be classing up with this RASP class that leaves Friday so we will be in pre-RASP for just three days (if we are actually going with the other pre-RASP candidates... They haven't quite told us exactly who all will be going). I am excited to hear that we could be starting sooner than expected. Hopefully by tomorrow we will get a confirmation on that. We had one guy quite right after the 1SG gave us a brief (disappointing that the guy quit but I guess some people don't have guys). I will update as soon as possible when I find out if we are starting RASP this Friday. I'm hoping that we will be because I am ready for the challenge that lies ahead.
jth456

Re: SITREP- John

Post by jth456 »

Guts*
User avatar
Jim
Rest In Peace Ranger
Posts: 21935
Joined: March 8th, 2005, 10:48 am
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: SITREP- John

Post by Jim »

jth456 wrote:Guts*
Happens to all of us. Attention to detail.

Great SITREP! As I told one of the other mentees, Semper Gumby! Never, never quit!
Ranger Class 13-71
Advisor, VN 66-68 69-70
42d Vn Ranger Battalion 1969-1970
Trainer, El Salvador 86-87
Advisor, Saudi Arabian National Guard 91, 93-94
75th RRA Life Member #867
User avatar
rangertough
Ranger/Moderator
Posts: 1675
Joined: January 27th, 2005, 3:02 pm

Re: SITREP- John

Post by rangertough »

jth456 wrote:Guts*
Some people don't have "guys" (meaning buddies that prop them up when doubt is whispering "world wide") either.

Tough
Rangertough
"Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?"
C CO/HHC 2/75 '93-97, Bragg '97-'99, HHC/C CO/A CO 2/75 99'-'01 RS 8-94.
jth456

Re: SITREP- John

Post by jth456 »

Rangers,
Well on Tuesday we took the pt test and I was sick to the bone with the flu and on sit-ups I got disqualified because I unlocked my hands on my head because I had no energy from being sick. Passed all the other events with flying colors. At the time, the Sergeants made it seem like I would still be classing up. However, they still considered me a pt failure. The following day, I talked with one of the Sergeants and told him about my case. He told me that if I wanted to truly be there then I would have to show him that I could pass the sit-ups. I then grabbed a sit-up pad and cranked them out as hard as I could and I exceeded the 60% standard. He then told me that he would send my name up to the 1SG and would see if I could still stay in pre-RASP. The 1SG never responded back to him so I was unfortunately sent to worldwide where I am awaiting orders to a new unit. I am very disappointed about what happened. Can't believe I got this far and then got dropped. I failed you, Rangers. One of the specialists told me that with my case, I can always come back to RASP after six months with my new unit. Until then, I will be the best paratrooper that I can possibly be and will work my ass off until I get a chance to return. Ranger Jim and Ranger GoldCoast, thank you for mentoring me and being such an inspiration to me. I will still do my best to live by the Ranger creed everyday and won't give up my dream of serving in the 75th Ranger Regiment. To everyone else who is going to RASP. Take as much care as you can. Make sure your body is in top condition before you get to pre-RASP. Best of luck!
User avatar
Steadfast
Rest In Peace Ranger
Posts: 20949
Joined: December 19th, 2003, 10:09 am

Re: SITREP- John

Post by Steadfast »

Sorry to hear that John but that is what is always looked for, a moment of weakness or the breaking of form whether it be a sit up, chin up, push up. That is why we always stress attention to detail because that is what your instructors do.

Keep us informed with future sitreps.
RLTW
Steadfast

4/325 82d DIV 68-69
2nd Bde HHC (LRRP), 4 ID
K Co (Rgr), 75th Inf (Abn), 4 ID
69-70
I cooked with C- 4
jth456

Re: SITREP- John

Post by jth456 »

Roger Ranger Steadfast.
User avatar
Jim
Rest In Peace Ranger
Posts: 21935
Joined: March 8th, 2005, 10:48 am
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: SITREP- John

Post by Jim »

Well, if this is the worst thing that ever happens to you -- you're lucky. Go to your next assignment, keep yourself in shape and either apply for RASP or Ranger School. Never, never quit!
Ranger Class 13-71
Advisor, VN 66-68 69-70
42d Vn Ranger Battalion 1969-1970
Trainer, El Salvador 86-87
Advisor, Saudi Arabian National Guard 91, 93-94
75th RRA Life Member #867
jth456

Re: SITREP- John

Post by jth456 »

Roger Ranger Jim. The Specialist was telling me that I should get to my new unit, get tabbed, and come back to RASP. He says the guys who do that pretty much walk through RASP. I will never quit, Ranger Jim. Thank you for all that you have done.
Post Reply

Return to “Letters from School”