Posted on May 22, 2020
What has been your best experience in the military thus far?
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My time in the military has been interesting at the least! I’ve spent a total of about 9 months total in the field out of 6 years of service. I’ve been to every CTC at least once. I’ve deployed to Senegal. And by the nature of my position within USARPAC, I was able to go TDY to Thailand in support of a Subject Matter Expert Exchange with the Royal Thai Army. I was a part of a 4 person team sent to represent a 4-star command which is pretty significant especially since I was only an E5 traveling with warrants and a Major.
One word of advice to my intelligence counterparts is that INSCOM can either make or break your career. You get out of it what you put in and ultimately, you can be selected for nominative assignments later in your career. As an E5, I had hours of FaceTime with all Generals assigned to USARHAW, what’s stopping you? SPC (Join to see) SFC James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" COL Mikel J. Burroughs MSG (Join to see) SSG Carlos Madden Sgt (Join to see)
One word of advice to my intelligence counterparts is that INSCOM can either make or break your career. You get out of it what you put in and ultimately, you can be selected for nominative assignments later in your career. As an E5, I had hours of FaceTime with all Generals assigned to USARHAW, what’s stopping you? SPC (Join to see) SFC James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" COL Mikel J. Burroughs MSG (Join to see) SSG Carlos Madden Sgt (Join to see)
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Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 10
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After training young men and women and qualifying them for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians to the paramedic level staffing our emergency room with their knowledge going out and saving lives of both military and civilian employees on the base, knowing that the knowledge they received from my courses that I established recognized by the National Registry and qualifying them to take and pass the National Registry with a 98% pass rate. Watching them do their job with the efficency and expertise and professionalism of their actions made me proud to be part of their training.
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On June 20, 1969 I received 11 gunshot wounds, 19 major shrapnel wounds and over 200 minor wounds. My rifle was broke, as was my radio. My three teammates had no idea where I was because I had been out mixing it up with Sir Charles alone. I was shot in both knees, shot in the chest a couple of times, part of my skull had been blown away, my right arm was paralyzed and I was unable to move anything except my left arm. I had accepted my death. It just doesn't get any better than that -- the moment I heard SFC Charles Hinson calling my name. I'd given up, but my teammates hadn't. That's what true brotherhood is all about -- no man left behind. Fortunately SFC Hinson didn't get too severely wounded rescuing me. On June 20, 2019 Charles was 89 years old and I was 70. He and I went out to a couple of clubs for a beer or two. That was pretty cool also, but we were long since retired from the Army -- so I suppose that doesn't count as we were no longer in the military.
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SGT Robert Pryor
SSG (Join to see) - Pictured is SFC Hinson the morning after I made a mess on him. He's the real badass that night. He came looking for me armed with only a flashlight and scooped me up on the run (he dropped me twice -- LOL). The bad guys weren't too happy with him, but I sure was. He was awarded the Silver Star for that, as was SFC Carl Cramer who was also wounded helping to get me to a medevac. Our Detachment Commander, 1LT John Parda, was awarded the Bronze Star with "V" device. John was the only one to not get wounded that night. And the chopper crew that came and landed inside our camp, in the dark, with folks shooting at them and obstacles all around. Now that pilot is one badass dude right there. My rescue was even a segment in the documentary "In The Shadow of the blade." I'm not sure I would have had the courage any of those other guys displayed. I hope I would have, but damn! I was so fortunate to be surrounded by some serious badasses or I would have never made it to this RALLY POINT.
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The day I signed out on transition leave, retiring after 20 active and another 12 or so reserve, enlisted and commissioned. A tear streamed my face after I thought of all the years, people and places I encountered during those years. It can’t be explained in words.
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