Posted on Aug 14, 2015
Lightning strike injures 40 RANGER Students, 4 instructors. Your first thought?
58.7K
368
131
12
12
0
What is your first thought about this?
--
(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
--
(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
Posted in these groups: 
Ranger School
Ranger School
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 71
1
1
0
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,
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
I hope this unfortunate incident doesn't change the authenticity of proper field training in awe of the risks they took.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
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.
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.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
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.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
1
1
0
Makes me feel they should walk through a mine field to train them about mines.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
That sux.
Hope everyone is ok.
And
What's the odds on that happening again?
Hope everyone is ok.
And
What's the odds on that happening again?
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
1
1
0
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.
I'm glad that no one died and no one was seriously injured.
(1)
(0)
0
0
0
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google