Posted on Feb 12, 2015
CPT Aaron Kletzing
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Watch from a first person's view as a US Army machine gunner's turret takes 2 hits by RPGs during a mounted convoy in eastern Afghanistan. Although dazed by the impact, he responds in the way that we would all aspire for: he continues mission (Charlie Mike) because he is loyal to the mission and to his brothers and sisters more than his own personal safety. If this doesn't fire you up, please check your pulse.

** Question for RP members: What is your first reaction to the toughness this Soldier displayed? **

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Note: this is a raw first person video that may conjure up memories for some RP members.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThFZ-TX2bc8
Posted in these groups: Stock footage mission text in military door versions MissionValues tree Values
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Responses: 78
1SG Steven Stankovich
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CPT Aaron Kletzing, my first reaction, after the initial shock of the RPG impacts, was one of inspiration towards that young gunner. He personifies the Army Value of selfless service and I am personally proud to have Soldiers like that in the ranks.
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SSG (Non-Rated)
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>1 y
Way to stand fast and react as needed
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SPC Darrin Hart
SPC Darrin Hart
>1 y
In my unit there was a whole lot more four letter words used in a situation like this. Likely suffered concussion and hearing loss. Many years later physcological issues with hyper vigilance and depression issues....just from the fact of existing within an environment where anyone, anywhere, at any time will try to kill you and everyone with you (as just seen a point blank rpg to the face). Knowing what will happen to you If captured...we see how well that works. There will be wounds he will not know about until he leaves that killing field. Over 20 Veterans a day are killing themselves as we speak about this video. Hope he will be one of the lucky ones. But stopping at a gas station and your gun truck is on fire...mmmm....that might be a bad idea with people a hundred yards away that just tried to kill you...just sayin.
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SPC Army Musician
SPC (Join to see)
>1 y
wow…balls of steel
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SPC Luis Acevedo
SPC Luis Acevedo
>1 y
Depends on the shock wave he could easily end up with TBI. I was recently diagnosed with TBI and my deployment was in 2006.
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SGT Infantryman
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Am I the only one wondering why the gun was unmanned for over 2 minutes??
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SPC Stephanie Magnani
SPC Stephanie Magnani
>1 y
I noticed that too.
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SGT Infantryman
SGT (Join to see)
>1 y
Just to clarify: I'm not saying the guy is a pussy, or that getting hit by a RPG (or IED) is no big deal, or anything of that nature. I'm just curious why, after being attacked, no one got in the gun. You can hear them talking inside, so clearly people are conscious (besides his moaning). Was it a skeleton crew (driver, TC, gunner), or were the pax scared or didnt know what to do?
Why?
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SPC Luis Acevedo
SPC Luis Acevedo
>1 y
I personally have seen situations like this and I've seen the gunner or gunners around light the living hell out of the area. Maybe this guy ears were ringing like crazy but the convoy is not one vehicle. So get your POG ass back on the guns and start shooting them fuckers.
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SGT Richard Collins
SGT Richard Collins
>1 y
All the of the patrols me and my brothers went on in Iraq anytime we got hit with IEDs or RPG someone stepped up and returned fire. we we're going to do our best too make sure someone was going to die that day.
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GySgt Infantry Unit Leader
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So I guess I'll be the bad guy here.... Poor security to start with. He was the first truck in the convoy, first rocket never should have happened. That 240 out ranges a RPG easy. An aggressive posture could have prevented it all together. 2nd shot again not being vigilant, spinning the turret wildly instead of to the direction you just took contact to kill the person shooting at you, (the gunners whole purpose) Almost 90 seconds there abouts after the second one hit with no forward security, lucky they didn't get hit again. Took someone inside telling him to get back in the gun for him to realize the truck was on fire. I saw lack of discipline and poor security and an easy target. He's lucky he's not dead. Before you blast me, yes I have been that gunner, no RPGs hit my truck, lord knows they tried.
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SGT Infantryman
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>1 y
Don't know if you've been to Afghanistan or not, but an aggressive posture doesn't always work. They were surrounded by plenty of locations the shooter could have been hiding. The gunner can only cover so much at once. As for spinning the turret wildly, I've never been the victim of on attack like that but I'm guessing after an RPG goes off right next to your head you might be a little dazed...
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