US Military Veteran with Traumatic Amputation Returned To Active Duty

When US military veteran Ricardo Ramirez of the 3^rd Battalion, 5^th Marine Regiment was wounded in combat on February 2006 he may have lost a hand, but never his dedication as a Marine. Having served for over 10 years, Ramirez had no intentions to retire from service, and became an urban warfare instructor to train other Marines.

Ramirez then heard the call that noncommissioned officers were needed as combat replacements in Sangin, Afghanistan. Ramirez became reactivated as a combat replacement for the 1^st Battalion, 5^th Marine Regiment - the first hand amputee to ever re-enlist in the Marines.

The platoon commander, Lt. Charles Poulton, supports Ramirez's decision and is glad to give the determined Marine another shot at serving his country. Ramirez uses a rifle specifically modified to allow his claw-shaped prosthetic hand to use it as accurately as any soldier. His duties are no different from if he had both of original hands.

After deployment to Afghanistan, Ramirez was put on patrol and made platoon guide shortly after joining the 1^st Battalion. He was soon pulled to be a section leader for the Bravo Company Mobile Assault Platoon.

His future goals in the Marines include becoming a scout sniper and serving in the Special Operations Command as an operator. Ramirez wants to send the message to other wounded veterans that life in the service doesn't have to end after an injury, and if their heart still desires to serve they should pursue it.

You Have the Power to Help a Disabled American Veteran!

Our veterans deserve the utmost care and respect in exchange for their sacrifice and service to our country, yet many suffer with disabling medical conditions and illness and struggle to make ends meet after life in the service. At Care for Disabled Veterans our goal is to assist qualified veterans in obtaining the medical evidence they need to seek their rightful benefits for combat-related disabilities.