Intro for a driver

Corridor · Post by **Corridor** » September 24th, 2008, 4:27 pm

Hey everyone,

First off, I would like to say that I admire you all for not only being a one-time volunteer but a three-time. When I was 9 years old, after seeing a Golden Knight demo, I always wanted it to make a career out of jumping from perfectly-well flying aircraft. Something I still have not done... civilian or military.

When I turned 17, I was still a senior in high school and my father would not sign the paperwork with the US Army for a Ranger contract. Instead, I enlisted into the Virginia Army National Guard since I lived next to Fort Belvoir. I always knew that I was meant to be a rifleman so even with a high-scoring ASVAB, I still signed up for 11 Bang Bang.

I didnâ€™t really mind the National Guard, at first. I still went to monthly drills even if I was still a senior in high school and learned Land Nav, weapon maintenance, and D&C even before I went to Benning.

Going through OSUT in the summer of 1989, a lot of my platoon buddies were bound for Airborne school and onto RIP but I only grimaced. I envied them... they were on their way to earn their black beret while I went home to be a leg in some pogue unit at HQ for 29th Light at Belvoir.

Little did I know, that some of them actually might make it to the Batts to jump into Panama before that year's Christmas. To all you Just Cause vets, God bless you. I can only imagine how those ACs must have lite up the skies like Pirates for the Dead.

When I got back home, I asked my 1SG if I could be assigned to a rifle company and I got my request. I was to be assigned to Charlie Company, 1-170 in Leesburg. While I was there, I worked with SSG Scott who was a Ranger with 2/75 in Grenada. He was my PLT SGT and he taught me so much especially the term, â€œCarry light, freeze at night.â€

alexleon13 · Post by **alexleon13** » September 24th, 2008, 5:16 pm

Welcome to the site. Nice but lengthy intro. Don't make excuses as to why you joined the ARNG or the fact you were a driver. You did what many shitbags have not done and that is serve your country. Every job in the service has a purpose in the grand scheme and somebody has to do them. Only a few ever make it to be a Ranger or part of the Special Ops units. Thanks for your service.

42L5V · Post by **42L5V** » September 24th, 2008, 5:42 pm

Welcome, Rakkasan.

By the way - I was in 2/187. I'm a "Tab wearer". I was also one of your Rakkasan pre-Ranger instructors during the ice storm of 93.

Apparently, you don't type well enough.

Kilted Heathen · Post by **Kilted Heathen** » September 24th, 2008, 6:27 pm

Jesus Harry Christ.

LRP1 · Post by **LRP1** » September 24th, 2008, 6:38 pm

Uh...Welcome...OK, Hi.

cams · Post by **cams** » September 25th, 2008, 5:34 am

42L5V wrote:Welcome, Rakkasan.

By the way - I was in 2/187. I'm a "Tab wearer". I was also one of your Rakkasan pre-Ranger instructors during the ice storm of 93.

Apparently, you don't type well enough.

DOH! I love it when that happens.

Welcome.

Jim · Post by **Jim** » September 25th, 2008, 5:45 am

Welcome...

Ranger Bill · Post by **Ranger Bill** » September 25th, 2008, 7:06 am

Welcome.

abn-rgr · Post by **abn-rgr** » September 25th, 2008, 7:32 am

Welcome Iron Rakkasan. I was in A Co 3/187 during the Petraeus/Purdy days. I remember Petraeus getting shot up by the SAW. He was and still is an amazing man. As for Purdy, wow....a living legend.

smokn38 · Post by **smokn38** » September 25th, 2008, 8:39 am

Welcome, we were at Benning during the same time period.

Ranger Ron · Post by **Ranger Ron** » September 25th, 2008, 9:02 am

Welcome to ArmyRanger.com and thanks for all your service to our great country.

RRDTm3 · Post by **RRDTm3** » September 25th, 2008, 9:38 am

Kilted Heathen wrote:Jesus Harry Christ.

Harry, I fucking knew it!

Rock Island Ranger · September 25th, 2008, 9:51 am

Having the honor of being CSM Purdy's designated driver was a bit scary since he would come out of nowhere while I was in line in the Mess Hall and say, "What ya doing, bub?" When I turned around, all my friends were gone, and would have to break bread with my mentor.

Honor? Shit, you probably ended up buying most of his fucking cigarettes. Biggest smoke moochin the fucking military.

Corridor · Post by **Corridor** » September 25th, 2008, 10:05 am

Thanks for all the support, guys.

I know I wrote a freaking book for an intro but its been a long time since I had a place to talk 'bout the good ole days and it helped me understand myself better.

It's been tough adjusting to civilian life and turning off the mindset but it's always there when I need it even if has been a good 15 years being out.

Thanks for reading!

Paladin · Post by **Paladin** » September 29th, 2008, 12:37 pm

Corridor

If you were CSM Purdy's driver, you had something going for you. He would have shit-canned a lessor man, just to see the fear lite up in his eyes!

Thanks for driving on! Welcome Here!

Intro for a driver

Intro for a driver

Much appreciation