Interview with Rick "Rabbi" Rabenold, 1st Force Recon Company, 1967-1968, 1970-1971, Vietnam Veteran

In this first interview with Rabbi we dive into his childhood and how he found himself in the Marine Corps, the mindset used in boot camp to break down recruits and rebuild them as Marines, his arrival to Vietnam in January 1967, and his assignment to First Force Recon, going out into the bush and his first experience firing his rifle, the types of missions First Force ran, the equipment used, his introduction to the M-16 in February 1967 and the Stoner Light Machine Gun, and the risk of the missions being ran by First Force Recon.

[@baxtermason6909]

...it depended upon the environment you were in...in a dusty dry environment, you had to use gun oil every time you engaged...then you would put so much oil to keep it going, it would start to gum up...and then you had to tear it down and clean it...very unreliable...

[@baxtermason6909]

...now, this is interesting...very factual...knew his basic loads and everything relevant to what was needed for fighting in recon...:-)

[@Brough1111]

Dont forget the ones you lost after they come back from agent orange

[@snipernaruto]

I love watching these videos, it is always fascinating.

[@garyhammond2213]

Recon was safer than being a line soldier.

[@spockspock]

Interesting to consider if the superior training had anything to do with it.

[@theskyizblue2day431]

@@spockspockhard to say. Some recon teams got squad wiped.

[@nyjets2428]

I dont believe that

[@Noodler0]

Look into MACVSOG. Recon. Every single guy who ran a mission was wounded or killed

[@Damyankee1989]

I bet alot of recon guys would somewhat agree with that. Rifle companies were basically there to get hit and hit back. Recon your job is to not get seen. But if you do get compromised deep behind enemy lines then you are in deep shit

[@SoCalHumvee]

Great videos of interviewing Vietnam Veterans, let their voices be heard. Keep up the good work!

[@zachwood1218]

@@SoCalHumvee thank you so much! I’ve got more in store for the future by attending reunions to share stories so stay tuned for more!

[@Jake-ky9ed]

Wish he’d talk more about the rock apes he mentioned! My Dad told me stories about rock apes when I was younger.

[@12oldman]

A question for your guest, did you know a 2nd. Lieutenant Billy Martin? He was field force recon kia June 67. My first cousin.

[@briancooper2112]

Legend

[@chrishodder7696]

Great stuff

[@markhankins3023]

Rick has tremendous memory, and is easy to listen to. He definitely speaks Marine Corps.

[@jamesellis2784]

Black man had dogs in court ,case , , judge asked if he would be seated. , man could not sit because orange , he rolled the stuff in barrels ,

[@DavisPowell-v4j]

Rabbit was one hell of a good friend, Paypal Einstein

[@zachwood1218]

He is an amazing man! When were you in country?

[@wgm6]

By chance did you know a Terry Dan Cathey?

[@Brough1111]

Warrior thanks

[@friscostreetstories5403]

I'd like to know more about the field forces combat units

[@ravilcull1663]

😋 *Promo SM*