Hello, my husband has just started in RIP. Since he decided to join last March (he left for Basic in October), I have read everything I could find about Rangers and the Army in general. I have done my best to be supportive including memorizing the Ranger Creed right along with him!
While I have been able to find a lot of information for the soldier, I have been able to find very little about being an Army wife and even less about being the wife of a Ranger. I realize that he hasn't made it yet and he has a hard three weeks in front of him but I've never seen him more determined about anything in his life.
For those of you who are married, I'm looking for advice on how to cope with all of the new challenges this will bring. I would also like some insight on what it's like day to day as far as your family situation....how much are you gone....for how long....do you really just disappear sometimes with no notice...etc.
I may be on the wrong board for this but until we're stationed somewhere I don't know where else to look for information. Thanks in advance for any advice and for taking the time to read this post.
New Member - Wife of soldier in RIP
Moderator: Site Admin
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Proud Ranger Wife
- Sister
- Posts: 167
- Joined: March 16th, 2004, 6:14 pm
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Spartan
ProudWife:
1. Please help yourself to an Avatar from our avatar galleries - your choice.
2. Each Ranger Bn has an excellent Family Readiness Group (FRG) that will take you under it's wing and really provide some solid moral support for life as a Ranger wife and also assist you in getting acclimated to the area where you and your husband will be assigned. One of the previous commanders of the 75th Ranger Regiment, COL Votel's wife really took this on as a project and made it her mission to develop the Regiment's FRG's as the best in the Army. You can bet that the other commander's wives who followed her picked up right where she left off as well.
3. Thanks for signing up for an account and don't be afraid to ask any questions which come to mind. I wish your husband good luck and it sounds like you have been very supportive of him. I'm sure he appreciates it very much.
1. Please help yourself to an Avatar from our avatar galleries - your choice.
2. Each Ranger Bn has an excellent Family Readiness Group (FRG) that will take you under it's wing and really provide some solid moral support for life as a Ranger wife and also assist you in getting acclimated to the area where you and your husband will be assigned. One of the previous commanders of the 75th Ranger Regiment, COL Votel's wife really took this on as a project and made it her mission to develop the Regiment's FRG's as the best in the Army. You can bet that the other commander's wives who followed her picked up right where she left off as well.
3. Thanks for signing up for an account and don't be afraid to ask any questions which come to mind. I wish your husband good luck and it sounds like you have been very supportive of him. I'm sure he appreciates it very much.
Re: New Member - Wife of soldier in RIP
Proudwife-
Welcome to the site! It's great to see you have such an interest in your husband's new career. Your support will help him reach his goals.
My wife was exposed to pottery classes, painting classes, and many other extra curricular activities during my tour at 2nd Battalion. She actually picked up quite a few hobbies....all as a result of the Ranger Wives Group (or whatever they were called).
Yes, your husband will disappear without notice. It's not any more pleasant for him than it is for you. Trust me, he'll want to call you and say, "I'm going to be gone for awhile," but for obvious security reasons, it won't be possible for him to make that call.
It comes with the turf of being in Special Operations. He will be an elite soldier. Part of what makes SpecOps units so lethal is their surprise attacks. If they were able to let all their loved ones know ahead of time what the plans were, the chances of a complete surprise attack would be jeopardized. I'm sure you understand that. After he has deployed on one of these sudden missions, the Ranger Wives will contact you and give you whatever information is available.
Ranger life can be hard on a marriage, but I believe that it is only damaging to the marriages that aren't that strong to begin with. When I was in a Ranger Bat back in the late 80's, I was married to the same woman I share a roof with and still love today. She has always been there. Like a Ranger, she will NEVER quit. You said that you memorized the Creed with your husband.....live that creed every day, just like he will. Do that and you will look back on these times some day with pride....pride in your husband for serving his country in an elite fighting unit...and pride in yourself, for standing beside him and accompanying him on the best years of his life.
Good luck, Proudwife. I'm glad to see you here. I look forward to seeing you on the boards. If you have any questions, please ask...we'll try our best to assist you.
RLTW
EP
Welcome to the site! It's great to see you have such an interest in your husband's new career. Your support will help him reach his goals.
If your husband makes it to a Ranger Battalion, you will find a very closed-knit group of Ranger wives ready to greet you. Their 'Queens' will be the Captain's wife and the First Sgt's wife. Their goal will be keeping you focused on maintaining a happy, lasting relationship with your husband and his Ranger Bat.proudwife wrote: I would also like some insight on what it's like day to day as far as your family situation....how much are you gone....for how long....do you really just disappear sometimes with no notice...etc.
My wife was exposed to pottery classes, painting classes, and many other extra curricular activities during my tour at 2nd Battalion. She actually picked up quite a few hobbies....all as a result of the Ranger Wives Group (or whatever they were called).
Yes, your husband will disappear without notice. It's not any more pleasant for him than it is for you. Trust me, he'll want to call you and say, "I'm going to be gone for awhile," but for obvious security reasons, it won't be possible for him to make that call.
It comes with the turf of being in Special Operations. He will be an elite soldier. Part of what makes SpecOps units so lethal is their surprise attacks. If they were able to let all their loved ones know ahead of time what the plans were, the chances of a complete surprise attack would be jeopardized. I'm sure you understand that. After he has deployed on one of these sudden missions, the Ranger Wives will contact you and give you whatever information is available.
Ranger life can be hard on a marriage, but I believe that it is only damaging to the marriages that aren't that strong to begin with. When I was in a Ranger Bat back in the late 80's, I was married to the same woman I share a roof with and still love today. She has always been there. Like a Ranger, she will NEVER quit. You said that you memorized the Creed with your husband.....live that creed every day, just like he will. Do that and you will look back on these times some day with pride....pride in your husband for serving his country in an elite fighting unit...and pride in yourself, for standing beside him and accompanying him on the best years of his life.
Good luck, Proudwife. I'm glad to see you here. I look forward to seeing you on the boards. If you have any questions, please ask...we'll try our best to assist you.
RLTW
EP
Always remember: BROS BEFORE HOES.
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rangercamaro
- Ranger
- Posts: 388
- Joined: February 9th, 2004, 12:43 pm
Squared away attitude!!! You will be an asset to your man and what ever he does in life. Ranger's Spartan and Earthpig have given the best advice i could have given.
The one thing they omitted is if your man makes it to a BN you will quickly know his Bro's from Bn. They will be his brothers, best friends, teachers and protectors. They will become closer than any friendship you have ever seen. Do not hold this against him. He is not choosing them over you, it is a necessity to get this closeness and trust with the man who he may save or may save his life.
Welcome to the site and keep us updated with stories he calls in with !!!!
The one thing they omitted is if your man makes it to a BN you will quickly know his Bro's from Bn. They will be his brothers, best friends, teachers and protectors. They will become closer than any friendship you have ever seen. Do not hold this against him. He is not choosing them over you, it is a necessity to get this closeness and trust with the man who he may save or may save his life.
Welcome to the site and keep us updated with stories he calls in with !!!!
Bco 1/75 2nd plt Wpn Sqd 89-93
HHC 1/75 Bn Armorer 93-94 (after cookoff)
HHC 1/75 Bn Armorer 93-94 (after cookoff)
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Proud Ranger Wife
- Sister
- Posts: 167
- Joined: March 16th, 2004, 6:14 pm
Thanks!
Wow, thank you so much for the welcome! I have to admit I was a little uneasy about posting anything but I feel much better now! I know that life in the Rangers will not be easy if he makes it, but I am so proud of him with everything he has accomplished. The flag and every other patriotic symbol has a whole new meaning when someone you love is serving.
One thing that has really shocked me is the reaction I receive from others when I tell them that he joined. Most of the women have asked "why did he do that?" I even had one tell me today "I'm sorry, is there anything I can do to help?" I'm like with what? I'm thrilled he joined and he's found something he loves. So I thought well surely the guys I tell will have a different reaction but it's been the same. It's really strange! So its nice to talk to others who are proud of his decision and understand it.
I thought I would give you an update on his RIP class. They started with 223 guys who passed the PT test. By the morning of Day 2, they were down to 193 and 44 failed the 5 mile run that day. I can't believe how quickly the class is shrinking. What really surprised me was the number of guys who just quit.
I thought you'd enjoy seeing the numbers - he is in the field for the next three days so I assume I'll talk to him this weekend.
Thanks again for the welcome and for answering my questions. I'll be sure to keep you updated with stories from RIP.
One thing that has really shocked me is the reaction I receive from others when I tell them that he joined. Most of the women have asked "why did he do that?" I even had one tell me today "I'm sorry, is there anything I can do to help?" I'm like with what? I'm thrilled he joined and he's found something he loves. So I thought well surely the guys I tell will have a different reaction but it's been the same. It's really strange! So its nice to talk to others who are proud of his decision and understand it.
I thought I would give you an update on his RIP class. They started with 223 guys who passed the PT test. By the morning of Day 2, they were down to 193 and 44 failed the 5 mile run that day. I can't believe how quickly the class is shrinking. What really surprised me was the number of guys who just quit.
I thought you'd enjoy seeing the numbers - he is in the field for the next three days so I assume I'll talk to him this weekend.
Thanks again for the welcome and for answering my questions. I'll be sure to keep you updated with stories from RIP.
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Proud Ranger Wife
- Sister
- Posts: 167
- Joined: March 16th, 2004, 6:14 pm
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Bell
Welcome to a real Ranger discussion board Proud Wife. Congratulations on your attitude. It will help your husband tremendously.
Being a Ranger is a surprise everyday. My RIP class started with around 240 and 15 of us went to Battalion. It makes you realize that you're doing something that very few can do. Only you and the people associated with the Ranger community can understand and appreciate that.
If you ever need anything, holler. We can help. Sounds like yer doing alright so far.
RLTW
Bell
Being a Ranger is a surprise everyday. My RIP class started with around 240 and 15 of us went to Battalion. It makes you realize that you're doing something that very few can do. Only you and the people associated with the Ranger community can understand and appreciate that.
If you ever need anything, holler. We can help. Sounds like yer doing alright so far.
RLTW
Bell
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Rock Island Ranger
- Ranger
- Posts: 10935
- Joined: February 8th, 2004, 10:00 pm
Well, Proud Wife....as you can see these gents will do anything possible to help you understand the Ranger Life as a Ranger Wife. You couldnt have linked up with a better crew and welcome to the site.
RS Class # 7-76
I'm not the way I am because I was a Ranger - I was a Ranger because of the way I am.
¿Querría usted el primer redondo en la rodilla o la cara?
The road goes on forever and the party never ends.
I'm not the way I am because I was a Ranger - I was a Ranger because of the way I am.
¿Querría usted el primer redondo en la rodilla o la cara?
The road goes on forever and the party never ends.
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Proud Ranger Wife
- Sister
- Posts: 167
- Joined: March 16th, 2004, 6:14 pm
RIP Update
Just wanted to let you know that they completed their 12 mile road march today. He said his feet were pretty messed up by the end but he made it. They have a jump on Thursday and then I think they take the written test on Tuesday. I'm so proud of him!!
Just wanted to give you the update. Have a good night!
Just wanted to give you the update. Have a good night!
