RRC Archives

Well, I'm finished with Basic Training now and got a couple weeks left of Infantry training to go. First chance to use the internet for a while, and won't get another chance for a few weeks. C'est la vie. Kind of cool stuff we do, shooting machine guns, throwing grenades, shit like that, and I get to start Airborne training in about a month. Be my 5th time in a plane and I'll be jumping out of it. Miss climbing mad amounts though. Going through withdrawal. Wake up in the middle of the night screaming "Stick with it man, you got it!" and "shake it out, use your feet!" Drill Sergeants hate it when you call them "dude." And they confiscated my Climbing magazines that I smuggled in. After airborne is the Special Forces training, which will be in Fort Bragg, so does anyone know what the closest climbing to Fayetteville NC is? I should be able to start back then, I hope. Anyway, just wanted to holler at all my friends, say hello and I miss you guys and the Red River Gorge hella lot. Well, I gotta get back and do more push ups. Everybody send hard, be safe, and all that shit. Ciao

Michael

Just curious, but don't you have to be an NCO to attend special forces training, or are you speaking of Ranger selection (which I thought was at Benning)? Because if your recruiter "promised" SF right after airborne then you may want to inquire further into his pretense of your enlistment. Sorry to be a sceptic, but the "man" can rarely be trusted. Enjoy the 82nd, it sounds like that may be your next stop.

JS,
You are correct about the NCO status before SFQC, I had to be Corporal before I
was selected, then I broke both knees after Gulf war #1 and that window was closed. However I am still friends with a Sgt. Major from 5th Group out of Ft. Campbell and he says they are hurting so bad for recruits and are so below strength that is not unheard of that there are a select few that score high on A.S.V.A.B
and top out through all initial traing courses making it a straight shot. We are at war and there are guys getting wounded and dying that we can't replace with the current recruitment tactics. The re-enlistment rate is at an all time high, but that does'nt fill gaps created by death/wounds. Dink Dink, I wish you luck and strength in all you do, when you get over there, listen to the old guys, you'll know who they are, they will teach you the tricks of the trade. If it looks like trouble it is, if you did'nt drop it, don't pick it up, tracers work both ways, your weapon was made by the lowest bidder, see the Chaplin, before he see's you, and I always tell guys going over "keep your head down and your canteens full" HUUH?
Corporal T. Brooks
Delta 6/52 ADA
Europe, Middle East, and all points global.

Congrats and I miss ya!!

Hey Michael! I miss seeing you at the gym. My aunt and uncle live in Fayetville (He's retired special forces) so I'll ask if they know of any climbing.

Good luck with everything!

Micheal,


Thanks for what you are doing. It will be good to have you back here someday. We will keep a rope thru the first draw for you.

lee

Yeah, the deal with the SF stuff is that they're hurting pretty bad for men. The MOS (Military occupational specialty) is 18X, and basically you go through some extra training to get you ready to pass the SFAS (special forces assessment and selection). They promote you to Sergeant (E-5) after completion of training, BNOC and PLDC is included in that. So that's cool. But if you don't enter with this ( and I do have everything in writing) you do have to be E-4 promotable to volunteer. I'm starting out as a Spec 'cuz I have a degree. Yah, the training is over two years in total, probably pushing 3 for me because I want to be a medic and take Arabic as my language, which both take additional time, and it's hard to get enough people. Out of the guys who joined with me, probably half have dropped already, and we're not in the real hard stuff yet.

On the cool side, I'm going to get a chance to go to a climbing gym soon. In a couple of weekends going to head to Atlanta for the weekend, and see how badly out of shape (climbing wise, you should see my abs!) I really am. Lee, you better have that rope through the anchors, 'cuz otherwise i'll probably be stick clipping my way to the top. Peace y'all

SPC Michael Campbell

Thanks for all you're doing Michael. Take care, be safe. Those of us who pray will be praying for you!

I still haven't sent Twinky Mike. I *might* have enough in me to do it when I next get the opportunity to climb with you.
Greg

I appreciate what you are doing-and listen to folks like gunslinga when they talk to you, someday someone will be happy to have someone like you telling them a LZ is hot or cold and they will have confidence in you because, well you'll know...