I came in when there were only two battalions. Went through 2/75 RIP (the hardest thing I ever did). Way harder than Ranger school. (Anyone else remember it that way?) Went to 1st squad third Platoon A Co.. Back when it was jungles, 550 cord for boot laces, jump wings on the PC, and an A7A strap for a belt. You would never believe how many people left when we went regimental and they were frustrated over the uniform changes. I remember when the 3rd Rookie Bn. was formed. There was nothing better looking than starch and shines in Jungles. South Ranier sucked
and Pt. Salines was called Abrahms West. It was a wonderful time to be a ranger. I was never with a tighter group of men. Eight of us just met for a mini reunion in East Wareham Mass.. It is amazing how we still keep in touch after 20 years.I was married the entire time in Batt. and since. My wife was the ultimate Ranger Wife. She'd have to be as I started out as a PV1 and she put up with all the crap I had to go through and still stuck it out. I wanted to stay in and she wanted to get out. So we compromised I ETS'd and she went back to school with me. We are now both school teachers. I teach high school and she teaches 3rd grade.
I stayed in the Oregon Army National Guard (I know, I know) but I still needed to be a soldier of some sort. I currently am the 1SG of B Co. 2/162 INF. I believe it is the best infantry National Guard Company in the nation. We are 6 for 8 in sending and graduating Rangers. Which is unheard of in the Guard. I have two young Hooahs down in NGB pre-ranger at this moment and I know they will come back with the tab.
I expect to make CSM sometime late this summer or early fall.
I would love to hear from anyone from the old days or anyone that just cares to drop a line. I like everything I have seen of this site.
RLTW,
Brunk W. Conley
