Lightning strike injures 40 RANGER Students, 4 instructors. Your first thought?

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 02:20:58 -0400

What is your first thought about this?

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(Reuters) - Forty Army Ranger students and four instructors were struck by lightning in Florida during a training program aimed at protecting themselves from a thunderstorm's lightning bolts, the U.S. Army said on Thursday.

All 44 individuals were taken to a local hospital for treatment following the Wednesday afternoon incident at Eglin Air Force Base, in north Florida, the Army said in a statement.

Seventeen students and three instructors remained overnight at the hospital while the remaining students and instructor were treated and released, the statement said.

"The Ranger students and instructors reacted and got everyone proper medical care quickly,” said Colonel David Fivecoat, Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade commander.

“Ranger students and instructors are tough, 31 students will return to training tonight (Thursday) and continue with increased medical monitoring as they try to earn their Ranger tab," he said.

Army Rangers are rapidly deployable troops trained for mountain, desert and swamp terrain and often go after special operations targets.

Ranger School is an intense weeks-long combat boot camp.

The students were in day seven of the 10-day training cycle, the Army said.

The Army Times news site said the Ranger trainees were in the "swamp phase" which focuses on waterborne operations.

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/r-lightning-strike-injures-40-us-army-ranger-students-four-instructors-2015-8#ixzz3ioaIszCQ

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Aug 14 at 2015 2:23 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 02:23:18 -0400

One of the Hazards of Authentic Field Training. Saddened to hear about any Training Accident.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 14 at 2015 2:25 AM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 02:25:55 -0400

Prayers they all recover

Response by PVT Robert Gresham made Aug 14 at 2015 2:33 AM

PVT Robert Gresham — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 02:33:21 -0400

CSM Michael J. Uhlig It's training, and training accidents DO happen.

That said, all the best, and my wishes to all involved for a speedy recovery !!

Response by SPC Thomas Baldwin made Aug 14 at 2015 3:18 AM

SPC Thomas Baldwin — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 03:18:51 -0400

This is very possible as I've been hit a 1/4 mile away from the strike. If the ground is damp you done have to be struck directly to get burned or worse.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2015 3:37 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 03:37:32 -0400

Another reminder why the "Lightning W/I 5 NM" warning isn't issued to make weather people feel good... I hope they aren't worse for the event.

Response by MAJ Bryan Zeski made Aug 14 at 2015 3:45 AM

MAJ Bryan Zeski — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 03:45:23 -0400

"Forty Army Ranger students and four instructors were struck by lightning in Florida during a training program aimed at protecting themselves from a thunderstorm's lightning bolts, the U.S. Army said on Thursday."

They should all be recycled through "Lightning Avoidance" phase - they clearly didn't pass.

Response by CPT Russell Pitre made Aug 14 at 2015 5:22 AM

CPT Russell Pitre — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 05:22:01 -0400

Maybe it's a sign. The infantry Gods aren't pleased.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2015 5:25 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 05:25:47 -0400

Lighting is bad down there. When I was in Florida Phase the strikes were so close you would lose you night vision due to the bright burst of light. Then came the lighting lock down. You just sit there getting rained on. Seems like they are on their way to a speedy recovery.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2015 5:26 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 05:26:42 -0400

I wonder what is going on in Florida right now that might induce a lightening strike....

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2015 6:28 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 06:28:55 -0400

What really sucks is they will probably get recycled.

Response by CMSgt Mark Schubert made Aug 14 at 2015 7:17 AM

CMSgt Mark Schubert — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 07:17:55 -0400

Wrong place, wrong time - tomorrow is not promised to ANYONE!

Response by COL Charles Williams made Aug 14 at 2015 8:06 AM

COL Charles Williams — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 08:06:43 -0400

CSM Michael J. Uhlig This is tough one. We always deal with whether threats when we train and operate the field. Odd they were doing training on this. Whether is a huge threat in this region of America. Florida, I believe is the most dangerous phase in Ranger School.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Aug 14 at 2015 8:52 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 08:52:33 -0400

I would want to think that the instructors took the proper precautions having received prior weather warnings or in reaction to the oncoming weather. I fail to believe anyone pulled a Samuel L. Jackson from "Basic" and deliberately pushed troops into harms way.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Aug 14 at 2015 8:54 AM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 08:54:06 -0400

Ranger + Lightning Strike = Pfffffffft
I hope the lightening wasn't hurt too bad.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Aug 14 at 2015 8:55 AM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 08:55:45 -0400

CSM Michael J. Uhlig Let's just be glad there were no fatalities due to this strike. The article didn't mention anything about the two women rangers. I thought they were in the final stage of swamp trianing now. I wonder if they were involved or not?

Response by SFC Douglas Duckett made Aug 14 at 2015 9:01 AM

SFC Douglas Duckett — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 09:01:32 -0400

I remember when winter students would sew their tabs on with white thread; symbolizing snow/ winter. Will these students sew theirs on with "glow in the dark" thread?

Response by SN Greg Wright made Aug 14 at 2015 9:13 AM

SN Greg Wright — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 09:13:51 -0400

Glad there were no fatalities. That'll be a story to have over beers after they get their tabs!

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Aug 14 at 2015 9:40 AM

SCPO David Lockwood — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 09:40:16 -0400

Hope they are all doing well and have a quick recovery.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2015 9:50 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 09:50:17 -0400

Ouch. Glad no one died.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Aug 14 at 2015 9:51 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 09:51:40 -0400

Shocking. Hope they all survive and recover.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2015 9:53 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 09:53:25 -0400

http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/14/weather/florida-rangers-lightning-season-odds/index.html

The odds of 44 Army Rangers being struck by lightning? - CNN.com

When lightning struck 44 Army Rangers this week in Florida, leaving 11 in the hospital, jaws must have dropped. What are the odds of that?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2015 10:16 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 10:16:06 -0400

I hope they are all ok and recover quickly to get back in the fight.
I'd hate to have to explain that one to the boss.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2015 10:31 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 10:31:58 -0400

An unfortunate accident but shouldn't change anything about training. Acts of nature cannot really be accommodated for or prevented.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2015 10:47 AM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 10:47:32 -0400

It's sucks this happened but no worse than the 50 Paratroopers injured during the last mass tactical night jump at Bragg! Injuries happen when you are training to be the best! With that said I hope they are all ok and recover quickly with no prolonged injury or side effects!

Response by SGT Mike Zimnicki made Aug 14 at 2015 11:29 AM

SGT Mike Zimnicki — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 11:29:20 -0400

Where did you get this information?

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Aug 14 at 2015 11:38 AM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 11:38:07 -0400

I get that "Train as you Fight" is important, but in Florida, where thunderstorms occur every day in the summer, what in the blazes were they doing outside in a T-storm? Surely a better location for this training can be found?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2015 11:55 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 11:55:56 -0400

Standing in a swamp.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Aug 14 at 2015 2:08 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 14:08:58 -0400

Better give up bad guys. We now have.......Power Rangers!

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Aug 14 at 2015 2:09 PM

Sgt Kelli Mays — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 14:09:09 -0400

It was terrible that they were struck by lightening, but they were out there for just that purpose....to train out in the field and how to protect themselves from lightening.

I'm glad that no one died and no one was seriously injured.

Response by PO2 Steven Erickson made Aug 14 at 2015 2:32 PM

PO2 Steven Erickson — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 14:32:18 -0400

Tragedy + Time = Comedy.

This will be a good one... someday.

Response by SA Harold Hansmann made Aug 14 at 2015 2:59 PM

SA Harold Hansmann — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 14:59:30 -0400

That sux.
Hope everyone is ok.
And
What's the odds on that happening again?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2015 3:52 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 15:52:40 -0400

God was helping with the training, they all survived.{:-)

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Aug 14 at 2015 4:16 PM

Cpl Jeff N. — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 16:16:08 -0400

That is what you call realistic training. Hopefully all will recover quickly.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Aug 14 at 2015 4:25 PM

SSG Carlos Madden — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 16:25:13 -0400

Is this the cycle the females are in CPT Private RallyPoint Member ?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2015 5:25 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 17:25:08 -0400

It's not that uncommon for lightning to arc through a group. For instance (back in the 90's) I had a buddy who's squad got hit at JRTC. The lightning struck a tree, traveled through the roots, and then arced through the entire squad.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2015 9:19 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 21:19:36 -0400

Glad all are going to be okay. Now for the comments like why were they out in a thunderstorm or can't they train somewhere else? It's Ranger School for God sake!!! You can't complete this through an SSD module or take an online version, at least not yet. Ranger School is just as it should be. No excuse leadership! Tough, realistic training that weeds out for the most part who should or shouldn't be there.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2015 11:31 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 11:31:55 -0400

As I read the comments here it seems some seem to think that the women in the class somehow invited the lightning strike. In a word - sick.

Unfortunately, should the remaining two finish and become rangers they will forever, by some, be the reason for whatever ills happen.

I pray the overwhelming majority debunk such comments.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2015 1:19 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 13:19:52 -0400

I hope this unfortunate incident doesn't change the authenticity of proper field training in awe of the risks they took.

Response by CW2 Carl Swanson made Aug 15 at 2015 3:13 PM

CW2 Carl Swanson — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 15:13:47 -0400

I would hate to be the poor bastard who signed the Risk Assessment!

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Aug 15 at 2015 4:39 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 16:39:37 -0400

Were they wearing there approved safety PT belts? If not then a mandatory one day standown followed by the most boring Power Points known to mankind. lol Glad to hear no one was hurt,

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2015 5:01 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 17:01:18 -0400

I pray for a speedy recovery

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2015 7:18 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 19:18:13 -0400

My first thought...Ouch!! My second thought...I hope they are all ok.

Response by SGT Christopher Churilla made Aug 15 at 2015 9:12 PM

SGT Christopher Churilla — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 21:12:43 -0400

Were there any fatalities?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2015 11:01 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 23:01:21 -0400

Blitzkrieg! First thought that came to mind.

Response by 1SG David Lopez made Aug 15 at 2015 11:21 PM

1SG David Lopez — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 23:21:54 -0400

What a coincidence. Most people do not know, but my first day as the 1SG in A Co, 5th RTBn, Mountain Phase of Ranger School, in January of 2000, we had an entire platoon hit by lightning in the North Georgia Mountains. 47 out of 48 got hit; the last person in the patrol, who was wearing rubber soles after market was the only person not hit by the lightning. I had to go to the local hospital to act as the laison. It was hours before any Ranger casualties showed up at the hospital. Due to severe bad weather, and considerable (10) casualties, it made for a slow casualty evacuation. No aircraft due to bad weather. No roads near by, casualties had to be manually evacuated to the nearest road. Bad weather, tired Ranger Students, accountability, mountain terrain all made for slow - hard - and slow evacuation of the 10 severe casualties. Some of the students were permanent damage/injuries, were actually released from military service. This is no joke, I pray that these students did not get permanent damage/injury.

Response by SFC Richard Haugh made Aug 16 at 2015 4:07 AM

SFC Richard Haugh — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 04:07:30 -0400

I am sure if you look closely on the ground near the slab of concrete around the 4 Ranger Instructors that were injured, there some where God was writing the 11th and 12th Commandment; "Thou shall not have Female Rangers" and "Thou shall not allow LEGS to wear berets". Eh, just a guess on my part....

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2015 10:22 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 10:22:31 -0400

Wondering where the article is about that there were too few women in the strike proving women are not given same opportunities.....sorta kidding, but some find something in everything...

Response by PO2 Steven Erickson made Aug 16 at 2015 12:26 PM

PO2 Steven Erickson — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 12:26:50 -0400

Adding to the insult, who saw this one from the Duffel Blog?

http://www.duffelblog.com/2015/08/army-ranger-school-women/

God Strikes Down Ranger School For Allowing Women

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. — The Almighty God answered prayers from around the nation begging for women to be removed from Ranger school on late Wednesday afternoon by striking down more than 40 students training in Florida with a swift and furious vengeance, sources within Heaven confirmed. The two female Ranger trainees were not …

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2015 2:24 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 14:24:27 -0400

There is NO need for training in convective activity and Florida ranks amongst the highest in Lightning strikes across the world. This is a case of respecting weather and it's deadliness. The current situation in Florida is a well entrenched trough of Low Pressure that has been pounding the state with torrential rains. It is not safe and considering some places have received in excess of 30 inches of rain, this just baffles me. I would love to tear into those who allowed this to happen. It is inexcusable and I would have made sure they known the potential risk which was very high!!!!

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Aug 16 at 2015 2:36 PM

SrA Matthew Knight — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 14:36:25 -0400

If there was no watch, warning or advisory for lightning issued, the forecasters at the 26th OWS are going to have one hell of a forecast review on that one. Weather flight probably will too.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2015 3:41 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 15:41:14 -0400

First thought? An RI standing in the middle of the road yelling "One last SI check before we go into lightning lockdown. Hold up those rifles!" Happens all too often.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Aug 16 at 2015 3:42 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 15:42:25 -0400

*Deleted- phone glitch*

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2015 5:09 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 17:09:55 -0400

I remember being in swamp phase in Florida this same time of year. They mad us stack our weapons together and spread out away from trees to prevent this.
It was a great thing because I slept my ass off during the admin pause.
I wonder if they still do that.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Aug 16 at 2015 5:27 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 17:27:41 -0400

One take ;0)

God Strikes Down Ranger School For Allowing Women

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2015 7:08 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 19:08:49 -0400

First thought? An RI standing in the middle of the road yelling "One last SI check before we go into lightning lockdown. Hold up those rifles!" Happens all too often.

Response by SFC David Clark made Aug 16 at 2015 8:29 PM

SFC David Clark — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 20:29:17 -0400

Eglin is a known lightning hazard area. We had 3 soldiers killed during the Bold Eagle 81 exercise when lightning struck s division commo relay vehicle. You gotta be careful down there. Just glad no one was killed.

Response by CW4 Guy Butler made Aug 16 at 2015 8:42 PM

CW4 Guy Butler — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 20:42:41 -0400

I'm thinking they really don't need the lightning strike demonstration in the POI...

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2015 8:47 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 20:47:13 -0400

First Thought: "It just got harder to get the tab"

Response by SGT Loren Hammons made Aug 16 at 2015 9:01 PM

SGT Loren Hammons — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 21:01:41 -0400

Shocking!

Response by SGT Loren Hammons made Aug 16 at 2015 9:02 PM

SGT Loren Hammons — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 21:02:49 -0400

Hate to be at that AAR!

Response by LCDR Dave Spurlock made Aug 16 at 2015 9:52 PM

LCDR Dave Spurlock — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 21:52:08 -0400

Don't mess with Mother Nature! Hey we need her on our side!

Response by Sgt William Biggs made Aug 16 at 2015 10:12 PM

Sgt William Biggs — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 22:12:20 -0400

My first thought is this it the Duffleblog.com at work.

Response by SFC Clark Adams made Aug 17 at 2015 3:00 AM

SFC Clark Adams — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 03:00:26 -0400

Shit Happens, Charlie Mike!

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2015 4:45 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 16:45:14 -0400

Living here in CO at the base of a massive mountain, plus having been in AZ before that, and an avid lightning fanatic - all military protocol aside, sometimes you're just gonna get thumped. It can come from the ground, the sky, it can come in a bolt, in a ball... You can take every precaution to avoid it, but here even on mostly clear days ground strikes still happen - imagine how many DON'T get reported for data.

Sidenote:
Yesterday when leaving the hangar the long beam on our little guard bar was buzzing. BUZZING. I chose not to walk to my car until much later, because I know when Darwin is tempting us.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Aug 17 at 2015 5:01 PM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 17:01:48 -0400

Thor said, allow me to enlighten you as to what "Embrace the Suck!" truly means. And not a single pair of drawers was saved that day.

Response by Cpl Mark McMiller made Aug 18 at 2015 2:45 AM

Cpl Mark McMiller — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 02:45:19 -0400

Umm, make sure your buddy is taller than you? =)

Response by SSG John Erny made Aug 18 at 2015 11:50 AM

SSG John Erny — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 11:50:59 -0400

There is a fine line between hooah and stupid. The fact that nobody was killed out of 40 people is a miracle.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Aug 18 at 2015 12:24 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 12:24:15 -0400

I guess God decided 9 student and 3 instructors needed some down time?

I did find it interesting that 75% of the Instructors were down compared to 18% of the students.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Aug 18 at 2015 1:54 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 13:54:05 -0400

Training program aimed at protecting themselves from a thunderstorm's lightning bolts, do not work. Old school solution was we grounded all our metal objects, and even then Mother Nature always won. I guess when Mother is mad, one way or another She will get you.

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Aug 18 at 2015 2:03 PM

SGT Michael Glenn — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 14:03:18 -0400

While stationed in Korea Lightning stuck a pool our company was standing next to, zipped a electrical mast down that almost took Top out. There was one huge flash after another as a few transformers exploded, people were scrambling left and right! was kinda cool to see, luckily no one was hurt . Since everyone is ok with the Rangers Ill make the comment of man those guys are smokin !!!!! Rangers Lead the way !!!!!!!!