MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Sgt. Jason Pacheco, 23, scout sniper instructor, Division Schools, 1st Marine Division, from Las Vegas, N.M., uses his prosthetic leg as support for an M40 Sniper Rifle on a firing range at Camp Pendleton Aug. 30, 2011. Pacheco suffered a severed leg after an improvised explosive device detonated beneath him during a patrol in Afghanistan August 2010. His leg had to be amputated below his knee. Pacheco uses his prosthetic leg to support the weight of his rifle to show an example of how students can use anything to steady a rifle. He has been an instructor for the Pre-Scout Sniper School since March and recently completed a physical fitness test with his prosthetic leg. He has re-enlisted and said he hopes to continue training in preparation to return to full duty. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Timothy Lenzo)
15 months after losing his leg, Sgt. Pacheco became the first Marine amputee to return to a war with a combat arms military occupational specialty. Even during boot camp he was a real “no excuses” kind of guy. He received a stress fracture during a night march, but convinced his drill instructors to let him stay with his unit. He then broke the crunches record at San Diego Recruit Depot, busting out 260 in two minutes.
When I hear the word Marine I think of my cousin SGT. Jason Pacheco. His courage, and fearless, determined attitude is one that most people only wish they had. God Bless you Jason and all Marines.
When I hear the word Marine I think of my cousin SGT. Jason Pacheco. His courage, and fearless, determined attitude is one that most people only wish they had. God Bless you Jason and all Marines.