Intro-Justin

[soldier7489]

My name is Justin. I started out my journey into the military two weeks after my 17th birthday in a Sacramento MEPS station attempting to get an 11B enroute to Airborne and possibly SFAS from the National Guard. After the doctors told me I couldn't do that because I was "color blind", the only option available to me was Human Resources Specialist. Three months later I shipped out to BCT, came back to finish my last year of high school where I graduated early and immediately shipped off to AIT to finish my IET.

When I got back I was put into a non-deployable unit, after quickly realizing that it wasn't what I wanted I requested to be transfered to Active Duty. I was approved and got orders to Fort Hood, Texas and reported JAN 2008. I was placed in the S1 with only two other Soldiers and ran the whole promotion system for the 163D MI BN as a PFC. I deployed with the 163D MI BN to OIF 09-11 and was assigned to a PSD for our BC and CSM. As much as I wanted to in some situations, I convoyed over 10,000 miles without pulling the trigger. My duties in the S1 shop back on base were still the same. What led me to be inspired by the 75th Ranger Regiment was when I convoyed to Mosul and we met up with the LNO (who was a Ranger himself) for our LRS unit that was attached to us. He took me, my buddy, and my PSG to go meet his fellow Ranger friends and got some good insight and info about what they do and was shocked that one of them wasn't even infantry, he was a 35M.

NOV 2009 we redeployed back to Fort Hood. Since then I have been to multiple schools. I attempted to go to Airborne and RASP. I had my physical done and was shocked to find out that I'm not fully colorblind at all, just with certain colors that I have problems distinguising. The regulation stated that as long as I could see the red light and the green light, I am good to go. I'm still pretty mad about it and wish I could pay the MEPS doctor a visit some time soon but with my first daughter on the way I barely have any time for that kind of stuff. I am currently on assignment to Fort Jackson, SC. They only gave me a decision between Fort Polk or Fort Jackson on my reenlistment. I am not happy with my assignment but the good side to it is that I get to see my little girl grow up a little longer.

My goal is to attend Airborne and RASP shortly after the minimum time at Fort Jackson is completed by me. I came here to this forum to seek advice and encouragement from the very men who have done these schools because I am tired of hearing advice from guys who went to Airborne and RASP and either quit or failed, try and tell me what I need to do get prepared.

It's an honor to be accepted to this forum and an honor to be in a community with some of the greatest patriots in the country. I hope to make some good friends on here.

[soldier7489]

Aside from the military I am a gear head and I'm always tweaking out my truck to do something cool. Also I'm an NRA member and am looking to become an instructor for pistol/revolver training. As much as I hate my MOS I am pretty knowledgeable about it and if you have any S1 or HRC related questions just PM me and I can help you out.

Any Rangers, Veterans, or Civilians out in South Carolina? I would love to know what living there is like. Ive only had to live on base when I was there so I know nothing about the outside of Fort Jackson. I PCS there in 4 months. Thanks!

[Disinfertention]

Did you not get any schools promised in your re-enlistment?

[soldier7489]

They had the BEAR program going on but nothing on the list I qualified much for except for 13F. With me having color deficiency, even if its the smallest, I don't want to put other men's lives at risk if I get something screwed up. I was already an E4(P) and most of the MOS's to re-class for were for non promotable soldiers. Only thing I can really go for right now are application MOS's such as 35L, 31D etc. Thanks to the economy taking a downfall, everybody signed up for the military so they could feed their families, thus causing over strength and ultimately resulting in Soldiers like myself not having much choices because everything is pretty much taken.

If all else fails, I got my TS so I will give JSOC a call and see if they want me. I may still be pushing papers but at least I will be with a reputable unit such as the 75th RR.

The ranger I talked to at branch said to call him as soon as I get the go ahead to drop another 4187 for RASP cause I guess the 75th is in desperate need for 42A's. Don't know if thats really true or not.

[soldier7489]

So you're saying your HR office contained only one man? That must have sucked!

[al_2ndWolfhounds]

Welcome, thank you for your service.

[Buzz]

Welcome.

[mortar_guy78]

If Regiment is hurting for 42A's you should go for it. When I was in 1st Batt, our CSAR team consisted of the cooks and S-1.

[soldier7489]

Just as long as I can get the same training and school oportunities as any other ranger or rasp grad gets. I don't want to get to 75th and just be stuck at a desk 365 days a year. I want to do some training. These pricks that are in charge of my unit now offered me air assault school, I said "hell yeah". They made me go through a brigade ran "pre air assault PT" course for two weeks and had no problems. When it was time to cut the paperwork to go TDY they told me I can't go anymore cause my ncoic needed me to stay and that I was leaving in march anyways so it would be a waste of THEIR time. I guess busting my ass for two weeks and running past the 11Bs on the 5 mile runs and 12 mile rucks wasn't good enough for them.

I wasn't expecting much from an MI unit anyways

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