The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: cookie62 on January 25, 2011, 09:21:33 PM
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After several months of visiting with recruiters, my youngest son who will turn 18 next month and graduate in may, has decided on the army. He is taking his ASVAB test tomorrow. I really didn't want him to go into the infantry, but when he made his top 5 mos picks 3 are combat related. I'm not going to tell him what to do, just gave him some suggestions. After talking to the recruiter the last time(with me and the wife) he is leaning toward combat medic. He wants to become a fireman when he gets out, and they will give him the EMT training he will need. He is joining because he wants to serve. If you could just say a prayer for him it would be greatly appreciated.
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Prayers always!
Tough decisions and adjustments for the entire family. Take care and wish him the best.
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Glad to send prayers.....give him a pat on the back.....it's a big step for him (and you and your wife too) and I know you are proud of him.
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My prayers will be with you and your wife, and particularly that your son will follow His path regardless where that me lead.
My son just returned to Ghazni Province in Afghanistan. He joined the Infantry 8 years ago and this is his 3rd combat deployment (1 in Iraq and his 2nd in Afghanistan). Rather than worry, I am comforted with the knowledge that his training has been extensive and he is in an exceptional unit, this time in more of a leadership role. I am comforted that he is where he needs to be.
Gordon
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Good as done, Cookie!
Godspeed and good luck, my friend!
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My son is following a similar path. Turns 18 in March, graduates in May. He wants to be a diesel mechanic when he gets out so he's going to be a Ranger.
Having done the same thing out of High School and having a mom that was supportive of my descision just not combat arms- my dad was a DI in the Army reserve and retired after 21 years of combined service, her dad was a navigator on a bomber in WWII, and her grandpa was a grunt in WWII.
I regret not going into the Infantry straight away-which I ended up in eventually-and don't want my son having similar regrets.
My advice is let him be a man and under good counsel choose his own path.
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There isn't a lot of satisfaction in the idea of going in the service to not go into combat. Medic is a crap job since you HAVE to go when called and you can't shoot back. Every one takes care of their Medics, and they earn it !
On the other hand, when I look at job search pages for every industrial job there are literally 50 in the health industry.
Best of luck to both Cookie JR and Magoo JR.
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USCG....
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Medic is a crap job since you HAVE to go when called and you can't shoot back. Every one takes care of their Medics, and they earn it
They actually carry a handgun for self defense and to defend their patient. Good luck to both of them.
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God Bless to both future recruits. May they be safe in their journey and find comfort with their comrades.
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Added to my list!
God Bless,
Richard
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Dear Lord, please bless Cookie's son and keep him safe (even if that flatlander doesn't understand that the Navy is so much better--all the training, less of the risk).
Cookie, this old Rabbit extends his congrats with his hat respectfully off. You must be a proud daddy.
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Best of luck to him. Tell his mother it will be all right.
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well done - tell him the trick to bootcamp and such is don't try to just pass - try to be the BEST
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My thanks and appreciation to your sons for the service they give in protecting me and the rest of the country.
And my thanks to you and your families for the burden you bear while your family member is in harms way.
That debt can never be repaid.
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Cookie, Magoo...
Our military men and women are always in my prayers. I'll add a special for ya ;).
Tell you sons we are proud to have them as fellow citizens and future vets (especially this old US ARMY DS).
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Dear Lord, please bless Cookie's son and keep him safe (even if that flatlander doesn't understand that the Navy is so much better--all the training, less of the risk).
Cookie, this old Rabbit extends his congrats with his hat respectfully off. You must be a proud daddy.
Things go wrong it's a long swim home. ;D
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y son starts witht he USMC on May 8, so I understand the feelings you have right now.
God bless all of the sons and daughters who serve.
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Dear Lord, please bless Cookie's son and keep him safe (even if that flatlander doesn't understand that the Navy is so much better--all the training, less of the risk).
Cookie, this old Rabbit extends his congrats with his hat respectfully off. You must be a proud daddy.
Coast guard, all of the training, even less risk and you go home every night.
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Coast guard, all of the training, even less risk and you go home every night.
Didn't we send some CG units to Iraq for riverine duty? I seem to remember that. Besides which, going out on rescues in 15 foot seas and frigid water is hardly risk free (but you know that better than any of us). I respect and thank all of them.
FQ13
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Didn't we send some CG units to Iraq for riverine duty? I seem to remember that. Besides which, going out on rescues in 15 foot seas and frigid water is hardly risk free (but you know that better than any of us). I respect and thank all of them.
FQ13
The coast guard is responsible for the welfare of all ships registered in the US. it does not matter where they are in the world. They are also resposible for the welfare of miltary vessels in port( not just ours)
so yes there is a chance you could go some where, but chances are slim.
I ran a 11 meter rib, fun stuff. I miss it. :'(
I've got some drunk stores that have made LEOs scratch there head. IF you think its hard to deal with a drunk on the side of the road, just try it in the ocean... oh yeah you have to put a vest on them before you can cuff them...
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Thanks for the encouragement, I personaly would have prefered the Air Force (they are the only branch that still has a fire dept.), but it is his decision. He just finished his test, and the combat medic is good to go. Now he only needs to pass his pysical at MEPS, which he wiil go to Chicago for next Wensday.
Again thanks to all.
PS. I know the Navy has fire dept. on board ships, but he wanted to be land based.
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Well, he apssed his physical and swore in today. He leaves June 6th, He will be a combat medic. He just got home and is realy excited. I have mixed feeling, proud, sad, OLD.
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Good for him ! It's a job that takes more guts than any other in combat arms.
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Well, he apssed his physical and swore in today. He leaves June 6th, He will be a combat medic. He just got home and is realy excited. I have mixed feeling, proud, sad, OLD.
He is just starting his own life, he has to be filled with excitement.
This is the moment for which you raised him.....to set our on his own in a honorable way.....and you've done a great job.
Yeah...it is a sad moment, but it's how it should be.
Take care.
P.S. You are gonna be feeling a lot older soon.
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There isn't a lot of satisfaction in the idea of going in the service to not go into combat. Medic is a crap job since you HAVE to go when called and you can't shoot back. Every one takes care of their Medics, and they earn it !
On the other hand, when I look at job search pages for every industrial job there are literally 50 in the health industry.
Best of luck to both Cookie JR and Magoo JR.
FWIW, my units medics carry the same rifle I do, and my platoon's medic is one of the best shots among us (regardless of the fact that we are all required to qualify expert).
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FWIW, my units medics carry the same rifle I do, and my platoon's medic is one of the best shots among us (regardless of the fact that we are all required to qualify expert).
Not much, he still has to go where the hurt guys are, while everyone else has the option of taking cover.
Got to respect the "Death cheaters".
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I replied on Facebook.. but I will tell you again.. that I think you have every right to be proud.. you did a good job and now can take pride in the man he has become.
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Hi;
My parents were not happy that I enlisted in the USMC in '72. My Dad cursed me and my Mom cried. When they attended my Boot Camp Graduation things changed. For years after, my dad asked me to spit shine his shoes to show off in front of my other Uncles whose son's resisted/deferred service in those times which pissed them off.
I had the HONOR of doing his shoes in '98 as they were placed on his feet in his coffin. He is probably bragging to God about it.
We have to respect these "kids" of today who step up and knowing what they face still do their duty for this country. They honor themselves,family,country and God. For the Vets in this forum, we all remember the good times more than the bad. The expierences made us all far more mature than those who do not serve.
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He will be taking his medic training at Ft Sam Houston in San Antonio Tx if you will want to visit him when he gets there.
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He will be taking his medic training at Ft Sam Houston in San Antonio Tx if you will want to visit him when he gets there.
He goes to Fort Jackson in SC for basic, our other two also went there. Then goes to Sam Houston for 16 weeks.
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Ft Sam is consolidating all medical training for all the services there. There is going to be a net increase of personel and new jobs there numbering in the 10,000 mark. The construction is so bad i won't even go over there any more. The hospital is being doubled in size. I glad I'm on medicare now and can stay away from there.
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Congratulations & give your son a job well done from me, not many kids now-a-days are willing to step up to the plate. My son joined the Marines 1.5 yrs ago (artillary) & I am very proud of what he has become, not that I wasn't proud of him before.
The Marines take good care of and watch out for the corpsman just as if they were one their own because they want them their when they get hit, I'm sure the army does the same.
The training your son receives will help and give him an edge up on the others if and when he returns to civi life and wants to pursue a career as a firefighter, he may choose to make the military his career. I've been a professional F/F for 29 yrs., not an officer but a 56 yr. old tailboarder and I'm loving it! Again wish your son the best of luck with his decision and his future career choice
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Make sure your son knows that the only training that transfers over to civilian EMS is basic EMT.
He will still have to take a paramedic training course, even though he will have already been using the same skills, but it will be a breeze for him.
Just don't want him to be blindsided by the nonsensical bureaucracy.
I wish him well. Some of my firefighter/medic partners that were combat medics were great to work with.