My Military Path

 Ranger Battalion (2/75)

I reached second battalion out in Washington state in September 2013. This was after basic training, infantry AIT, airborne school & RASP (Ranger Selection)


I was a proud little Ranger. In battalion I got to deploy to Afghanistan and spend some time in Oman. I got to see Kuwait & Germany. I got to travel all over the United States for various training events. This was when I was running and gunning and having a great time in the army. I got to jump out of all sorts of military aircraft, fast rope out of rotor aircraft & train on more weapon systems than you can imagine.


I loved all of the intense training (physical & mental) while in special operations. It was an incredible experience and I would not be the man that I am today without everything I learned.


Unfortunately, I was involved in a car accident and I fractured a vertebrae in my neck causing nerve damage in my arm. Because of this I was removed from airborne status indefinitely and placed in an S-shop essentially becoming a coffee bitch for the higher-ups.


I made the difficult decision to leave 2/75 after I had realized that physical therapy had reached a plateau. I wanted to spend the rest of my army obligation back in “the suck” instead of driving people around and cleaning up messes.


2ID (2-2 SBCT)


I moved into second infantry division & into a Stryker unit. I had about a year and a half left on my military contract and I was excited on spending it back in a line infantry unit. I still had the Ranger mentality and I was happy to bring it to this new unit.


It was much different than my time in special operations, but this new command took me in and I was happy to be a part of the team. I took over my platoons communications section & worked directly with my platoon leader. This PL is  an incredible Army Officer and an even better man and friend.



I made very quick & close friendships and despite all the “big army” nonsense, I had a great time in 2-1. It will always be a fond memory of mine. I’m proud to have been there and I hope that I made even the smallest difference.



Warrior Transition Unit (WTU-CCU)


I have a lot of respect for the men and women in this unit. They take on horrific cases of wounded soldiers and help them either recover, or out process from the army. Medical retirement is no easy feat. It takes a lot of paperwork and a lot of working with injured individuals. They make the transition easy and help in every way possible to get you veteran benefits.


My command team was extremely tactful and present throughout my entire stay in the hospital and into moving home. They visited many times and helped me get promoted to Sergeant before retiring. This promotion was a huge goal of mine while I was in the army and I thought I was never going to be able to get it because of my injury. I got to have my brother (who actually saved my life when I was shot by doing CPR and controlling bleeding from my neck) pin my new rank. They helped with waivers and helped keep me motivated in the hospital, until I was able to medically retire from the army.


I have a lot of respect for whoever takes on this job. It takes a certain kind of man or woman to do what they do.





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