One-armed Marine serves as an example for other fighters.
Patrol base, Helmand province, Afghanistan. “It’s been reported that non-commissioned officers are required as a combat replacement,” says Ricardo Ramirez, sergeant of the 1 Battalion of the 5 Regiment of the Marine Corps, “experienced guys who want to help our brothers in Sangin.”
Ramirez, a veteran of the Iraqi war, accurately fit the description, responded to the call and volunteered to serve in Afghanistan. His rich previous combat experience immediately caught my eye and could not go unnoticed.
However, there is one peculiarity: his arm was amputated.
In February 2006, Ramirez was wounded in combat while serving in Iraq as part of the 3 Battalion of the 5 Regiment of the Marine Corps, and two years later he became the first person with an amputated arm to join the Marine Corps. Since then, he served as an instructor in the city battles, where he taught other marines. His real service demonstrates commitment to his military roots. By his behavior, he sets an example to other warriors: "If you fight, you will achieve everything."
“When I first got into the 1 platoon, I happened to be at the center of military operations, where I heard marines radio communications,” Ramirez recalls. I heard on the air: "Hey, we just got a combat replacement and, damn! One of them lacked a hand, and then all I heard was," What? Are you serious?"
The commander of the Marine Corps disappointed potential skeptics who doubt Ramirez’s ability to return to the battlefield by satisfying Ramírez’s request to re-enlist for military service and found him fit for duty without restrictions.
“One should not be judged by a man or a marine by what he looks like, what he is missing or what he doesn’t,” says Ramirez of Quebrallas, Puerto Rico. "A marine should be judged by his experience, labor discipline, his behavior, and of course the way he leads his Marines into battle. This is what you need to look at."
“I’m a Marine and I’m a Marine for a very long time,” said Ramirez, who has served in the Marine Corps for 10 years. "If you asked me if I could lead the marines into battle, I would say that I certainly can, despite the loss of my arm."
When he learned that he could be a combat replacement for the sister battalion 1 / 5, he jumped at the opportunity. However, Ramirez was afraid that, despite the complete recovery, he would be sent to serve as a combat replacement for some large base as a permanent guard sergeant.
“As I told the commanders, I trained to do everything the marines had to do on the battlefield,” Ramirez said. People may think about something that I can’t do or I will not be able to do. I learned to do everything , be it a bundle or reload weapons".
The screws on his weapon are positioned to allow him to use the claws of the prosthesis in any situation and are further evidence of how Ramirez is preparing for battle. Where most people can simply wrap their arms around their arms, Ramirez has set the screws on the sides of the rifle so that he can make an effort and adjust the angle at which he can comfortably hold his weapon. This came in handy when he was assigned to the 1 platoon.
“I always send the best fighters into battle,” says Lt. Charles Poulton, platoon commander, Ramirez unit. "When I first heard about the combat replacement arrived, I chose it, because everyone who has only one hand, but is eager to fight should be here with me."
“I knew I wouldn’t just keep him in reserve,” says Poulton. I was going to give him the chance he deserved by doing everything to get here. I leave him in the game.
Ramirez, having the desire to pave the way for all wounded soldiers, got his chance and took full advantage of it.
A fighter with an amputated arm goes out several times a day "for the wire" during patrols. He seeks to thoroughly examine the area of the part. Upon arrival at the 1 platoon, he was assigned to a platoon intelligence officer, and later led the mobile reconnaissance group.
“Being around the base’s perimeter every day and patrolling nearby territory is actually very, very important because rumors about my successful deployment will spread quickly,” Ramirez said. Marines with disabilities and people with disabilities will see that their limitations are only when they are they themselves perceive them as such. "
Ramirez’s next goal in the Marine Corps is to become a sniper scout and, as such, serve in the command of special operations of the marines. He still wants to influence the other wounded in battle, so that they can reach their full potential, even after they are retired from the marines.
Editor's Note: The 1 Battalion of the 5 Marine Regiment is currently assigned to the 2 Marine Corps Division, which leads the Leatherneck task force. The task force acts as a ground combat element of the regional command of the south-west and operates in partnership with the Afghan National Security Forces and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to conduct operations against the rebels. The unit is engaged in providing security for the Afghan people, suppressing rebel forces and assisting the Afghan national security forces to support the strengthening of stability, development and the rule of law.
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