Posted on Nov 1, 2014
How many times did you almost die in uniform?
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Wow, I can remember so many instances....from falling out of a vehicle, almost near drowning in Pre-SCUBA, a super dark night jump, almost getting crushed between two ships, almost killed by a submarine, almost getting ran over by a tank in Desert Storm, live-fire drills. I either have 9 lifes, or it wasn't my turn to go. Do you have any near-death experiences while serving?
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Posted 10 y ago
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More times than I can count on 2 hands... 3 helo crashes, 1 near mid-air C-130 collision, 1 Halo mishap, 1 static line mishap, 1 short round (mortar), getting run over by a Humvee, LCM landing gone wrong in JOTC. These are the ones that come to mind immediately and they were all in training. Add the 2 combat tours and more than I care to remember. Lots of praying to the great Ranger in the sky.
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SSG(P) (Join to see)
You must have many angels watching over you Sir, sounds like youvery had enough excitement to last a lifetime. I've only met one other person that has survived 2 Helo accidents. Yowza
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LTC Lawrence Hoffman
Yeah and when you are young and single, it almost gives you a air of invincibility. Not a good thing in a combat zone.
My closest call came in 2002 when I almost died of a suspected brain aneurysm, less than 13 months after getting out. Was going through a divorce and knew I couldn't check out then. I had 2 young boys who needed their dad in their lives. Was very lucky on that one. Didn't know what was happening and kept packing my head with ice. 2 days later, I got someone to drive me to the Benning hospital and ended up getting evac'd to the regional hospital and spending 5 days in intensive care/critical care. Kind of makes you wonder if your angel will take a break and hoping that the 1SG has another one on the duty roster to take over. :-)
On the helos mishaps, great pilots. First crew VN vets and had done several auto rotations in VN for real. The other 2 crews - Special Ops and lots of flying hours and experience. Fortunately for all of us, they didn't run out of experience and altitude at the same time.
Lastly, call me Lance.
My closest call came in 2002 when I almost died of a suspected brain aneurysm, less than 13 months after getting out. Was going through a divorce and knew I couldn't check out then. I had 2 young boys who needed their dad in their lives. Was very lucky on that one. Didn't know what was happening and kept packing my head with ice. 2 days later, I got someone to drive me to the Benning hospital and ended up getting evac'd to the regional hospital and spending 5 days in intensive care/critical care. Kind of makes you wonder if your angel will take a break and hoping that the 1SG has another one on the duty roster to take over. :-)
On the helos mishaps, great pilots. First crew VN vets and had done several auto rotations in VN for real. The other 2 crews - Special Ops and lots of flying hours and experience. Fortunately for all of us, they didn't run out of experience and altitude at the same time.
Lastly, call me Lance.
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More than I am comfortable discussing. Bradley rollover in Germany in 1990 when road conditions were black. PFC driver, PFC (Me) Gunner, and SPC BC. The trifecta of nogo! I got to meet MG Shoffner (SP?) who came in a UH-1 (3rd ID CDR). Lots of talking transpired (that didn't involve me).
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SSG(P) (Join to see)
SFC Merino, you obviously made it because you are destined to do something great with your life. Yes, too many times.
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SPC Paul Prevost
I used to keep track until I went to Iraq. After the 20th or so close call I got on a first name basis with Death himself. I believe in Guardian Angels, I am the proof.
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