This is an engraved Randall that I purchased for my son as a gift when he deployed to Afghanistan with the 173rd Airborne Brigade in 2007. He said that only the older NCO's and officers knew and appreciated what a Randall was, most carried Kabar's. Also showing is his in country worn beret, patches, and his Combat Medic Badge and jump wings (which weren't to be worn in country), as well as photos showing him wearing his Randall and beret in country. He was based at FOB Orgun and at Outpost Zerok. And yes, he said that they did wear the "Infidel" tab, but only when there were no high ranks around.

 

An interesting note to me was that the Randall green handle did discolor a bit from the sun. And I give thanks that he never had to use it.

Very nice group.

 

Thanks for sharing.God Bless him and wish him well

First and foremost please pass on to your son my Thanks to him for his service.

I echo Doyler on the very nice grouping. Keep it. As time goes by the appreciation for it will only grow. So much is lost to time.

Very nice display...to echo the other post..save it..&...tell your son THANKS for his SERVICE......

 

IBD

Sure would look good displayed in a shadow box or one of those end tables with a glass top and display area

First and foremost please pass on to your son my Thanks to him for his service.

I echo Doyler on the very nice grouping. Keep it. As time goes by the appreciation for it will only grow. So much is lost to time.

 

+1 on all five sentiments, especially the first.

 

Tim

From what I have been told, getting your knife back in the US is nearly impossible. Did he have any trouble, or was it easier then?

 

"Thank you" to your son, and thanks for sharing this with us! :thumbsup:

Congrats on having a son you can be so proud of!!

 

My thanks to him for his service for my country.

 

Cliff

Awesome grouping and it means more since it belonged to your son. :thumbsup:

Outstanding!

This is an engraved Randall that I purchased for my son as a gift when he deployed to Afghanistan with the 173rd Airborne Brigade in 2007. He said that only the older NCO's and officers knew and appreciated what a Randall was, most carried Kabar's. Also showing is his in country worn beret, patches, and his Combat Medic Badge and jump wings (which weren't to be worn in country), as well as photos showing him wearing his Randall and beret in country. He was based at FOB Orgun and at Outpost Zerok. And yes, he said that they did wear the "Infidel" tab, but only when there were no high ranks around.

 

An interesting note to me was that the Randall green handle did discolor a bit from the sun. And I give thanks that he never had to use it.

 

I'm proud for you.

 

Bill

Thanks for all your well wishes for my son. I definitely will pass them on to him. Never fear, these items for now reside in my safe, and we'll hold onto them as long as either of us is here. Due to current US policy against taking souvenirs/trophies, these are his only souvenirs other than his personal uniforms, etc. He almost had a Taliban headcover after a firefight, but another soldier got to it first (and hid it away so he could bring it back). As he says, he still knows where it is and if the guy ever lets it go, he gets it. They never had access to any of the rear areas with the bazaars, etc like some soldiers did to buy things, and spent their entire 15 month tour "out there" in the mountains on the Pakistan border. The main thing he came back from Afghanistan with was a sense of pride in the US and our military and mission, and a real sense of purpose and direction. He is now in his final year of pre-med undergraduate school, and plans to attend medical school after.

From what I have been told, getting your knife back in the US is nearly impossible. Did he have any trouble, or was it easier then?

 

"Thank you" to your son, and thanks for sharing this with us! :thumbsup:

 

There was no trouble getting the knife as active duty military goes to the head of the list. I gave them his deployment timeframe and Randall worked with me to insure it was there on time.

Very interesting group, thank you for allowing us to view everything. I also wish to say many thanks to your son for his service :salute:

 

Tony

Our family gave the Model 14 to one of our own ahead of his 3rd OEF SF deployment this year. We, too, hope he will never find the need to use it.

Our family gave the Model 14 to one of our own ahead of his 3rd OEF SF deployment this year. We, too, hope he will never find the need to use it.

 

+1!!

I resoundingly echo the sentiments previously expressed; it is certainly not 'just another' grouping, by any means. I truly understand your respect and pride of/for your son.

My personal thanks, to your son; I am certain that he is a fine gentleman/warrior.

I am equally certain that his "calling" towards the field of medicine, will result in a physician whom will be highly dedicated and skilled, towards the "healing arts".

 

That Randall was a most thoughtful gift, and one that I'm sure is most treasured, by both you and your son.

Thank you for sharing that photo, as it in itself, describes a great deal...

 

As RD relates, "Sure would look good displayed in a shadow box or one of those end tables with a glass top and display area".

I personally would be admirably viewing such, many times, throughout the course of a day.

 

*****

 

Both my son and son-in-law have earned the "ISawAmericansFight" patch. And as you alluded with your son, neither of them was a REMF, either.

 

A funny story about the 'knife [re-importation] dilemma' that I believe JS was perhaps referring to:

While allowing them to carry their M4's, SAWs, 240Bs, M9s, et cetera, (with full magazines/belts) aboard (and in cabin) of the chartered civilian aircraft on deployment/return; they made them check their bayonets/knives, to be stowed in baggage!

Go figure!! ...I suppose that 'the airlines' didn't want any knife-fights goin'-on, while in transition.

 

*****

 

Best Regards,

Don.

There was no trouble getting the knife as active duty military goes to the head of the list. I gave them his deployment timeframe and Randall worked with me to insure it was there on time.

 

I believe the question Jack's Son was asking is - how hard was it for him to bring the knife back into the United States? I have also heard of problems.

 

Bill

I believe the question Jack's Son was asking is - how hard was it for him to bring the knife back into the United States? I have also heard of problems.

 

Bill

 

The 173rd is based in Italy, and when they deployed flew via military aircraft both into and out of Afghanistan. He wore it into Afghanistan but shipped it out in his military baggage. He said that it would have been no problem had he chosen to wear it since it was a military flight. Then when he came home from Italy he just shipped it in his military baggage from Italy to Ft Sill, again with absolutely no problem.

 

For now I have the patches and badges displayed on a shelf in a display case at home and the beret and knife reside in my safe. I do plan to one day soon have a shadowbox display case made for everything.

Greetings Gents, I’m currently serving in an Airborne Unit in Afghanistan and have heartily enjoyed reading all of your posts. While it is very true that while we carry all sorts of weapons on Civilian Flights we must still “Belly Load” or check our knives, multi-tools, and sharp thingies into a box held by the senior NCO on board for safe keeping, it is very easy to ship knives (Yes, knuckle knives too!) in and out of theater. Now if you want to display it on your chest for all to see, you just may get the wrong person’s (Read: The Chain of Command’s) interest in your Rambo-esk trench knife, but if you pack it amongst your checked kit no one will bat an eye, even when they conduct a health and welfare or custom’s check. There’s frankly too much stuff to check and too few folks to catch everything. Of course there is still the US mail and well that’s my mode of choice. Outgoing mail is inspected to, but incoming mail is not as well inspected:-) Not advocating the breaking of any laws here, but sharing a deployed Soldier’s view.

 

Of more pressing interest to the “authorities” military and civilian is the importation of unauthorized firearms and of course drugs. Again, I enjoyed seeing your son’s knife and I too would treasure it. Thank you for sharing it and your Son’s story with all of us.

 

Regards,

 

Lance

 

Lance Dyckman

HHC, 2-504th, 1-82nd ABN

APO AE 09323

 

P.S. I don’t carry any big knives with me when off the FOB, but if I did it would be an MK1 1918 O.C.L. because I still need one to complete my collection:-)

Hello Lance,

 

Welcome to the Forum. Most importantly: highest regards and appreciation for your service.

 

*****

 

I still get a good laugh at the ridiculous notion of having to check any "sharp thingies", while in transit!!

 

 

Keep Tight,

Don.

HI Lance, and welcome to The Forums. I am very appreciative of your service and thanks for your post. It was very informative.

 

I also know that after awhile my son didn't carry a knife on missions - humping the mountains in the snow he tried to cut back on the weight he was carrying in order to carry more items in his aid bag. No knives, no pistols, but always a Leatherman...

 

Here's an nice shot of another 173rd paratrooper with his fighting knife in a tower on Zerok in 2008.

Love the group. Thank you for showing it to us.

 

Best regards// Martin

I believe the question Jack's Son was asking is - how hard was it for him to bring the knife back into the United States? I have also heard of problems.

 

Bill

Thats for posting those, I have a few Randalls myself and one on order due to come in like four years...!

 

I guess it depends on where you go through and the situation. My son in law on third tour (second in AFGH) had to come home on funeral leave fall of last year and was in AFGH at SMALL FOB (caught heck getting out..Fake IED had to be cleared on road, Helo Malfunction, Storm).

 

Three days later, he went to through Qartar and was "detained" for three+ hours after getting a little flustered (exhausted and grieving over loss) because of their "long inspection" of his personal ammo mags (he paid for) which he had with him. Made him sit in a inspection/detention room in a chair. I recall he said they cost like $45 each and six of them unloaded of course.

 

He was still in combat unifrom, dirty, and had some of his gear for the trip out of the boondocks, but packed the rest due to his unit leaving while he would have been state side for funeral.

 

They wound up taking them and reaming him out, telling him "their" laws...basically. He finally just shut up and let them play their game so he could go on, and get home.

 

Oh well, it is their Country.

 

HARPOON

Thats for posting those, I have a few Randalls myself and one on order due to come in like four years...!

 

I guess it depends on where you go through and the situation. My son in law on third tour (second in AFGH) had to come home on funeral leave fall of last year and was in AFGH at SMALL FOB (caught heck getting out..Fake IED had to be cleared on road, Helo Malfunction, Storm).

 

Three days later, he went to through Qartar and was "detained" for three+ hours after getting a little flustered (exhausted and grieving over loss) because of their "long inspection" of his personal ammo mags (he paid for) which he had with him. Made him sit in a inspection/detention room in a chair. I recall he said they cost like $45 each and six of them unloaded of course.

 

He was still in combat unifrom, dirty, and had some of his gear for the trip out of the boondocks, but packed the rest due to his unit leaving while he would have been state side for funeral.

 

They wound up taking them and reaming him out, telling him "their" laws...basically. He finally just shut up and let them play their game so he could go on, and get home.

 

Oh well, it is their Country.

 

HARPOON

 

I have heard similar stories.

 

Bill