What I have learned at ArmyRanger.Com

[RenaissanceMan]

Per Ranger Jim's instructions, I am posting this response to a task:


During my tenure as a member of ArmyRanger.Com, I have learned several things. First and foremost, I have learned to temper my tendency to assume I know all there is to know about serving in the United States military. Through my researching of the site, I have come to appreciate just how incredibly large the sacrifices that servicemen and women of the U.S. military have given up are. I have learned to shut my mouth when told to do so by men who know more about what I wish to attain than I do. I have learned that ambition unaccompanied by guidance and discipline is a fruitless waste of good time and energy. More personally, I have learned (or realized) that the pain that would accompany my returning to my family and friends as a failure (without the Ranger scroll) would hurt more and last longer than any short-term pain that might accompany physical exhaustion in training. The opportunity that has been afforded me via my 11x Option 40 is an opportunity to live the rest of my life as a man in every sense of the word. I will not waste this opportunity.

I vow that I will not quit. I will not give an inch. When pushed to my limit, I will set a new limit beyond it and keep in mind that ArmyRanger.Com has taught me the value of pushing and setting those new limits. I now understand that (as Ranger Kilted Heathen told me the first week I posted on ArmyRanger.Com) in order to grow, I have to be willing to change. I am not only willing to change, but now because of ArmyRanger.Com, I have become anxious to change. I am anxious to be the man that so many of the Rangers of the site have demonstrated one can be. ArmyRanger.Com has given me the best examples of what can be achieved through hard work, and I want to be counted among these Men. I have found that failure is not an option. Failure is a four-letter word concocted by those who would rather fail without trying. ArmyRanger.Com has taught me that nothing is beyond anyone’s reach that is willing to reach out for it. I have learned that I have achieved nothing in life. I know absolutely nothing.

I will beg, borrow, plead, push farther, and give absolutely everything in my God-given body and soul to attain my goal. As better men than I could ever hope to be have stated, I will return with the Ranger scroll adorning my uniform or I will not return alive. ArmyRanger.Com has taught me that when one gives up, he sets limits for himself. I will never, ever give up.

Once again, I want to thank every Ranger and Veteran member of ArmyRanger.Com for their wisdom. The words I have expressed here do not give proper credence to the value of the knowledge the Rangers and Veterans have given me. Thank you for pushing me to be the best. I will stand among you one day or I will die trying. I have learned that is the true measure of a man.

[Earthpig]

I will stand among you one day or I will die trying.

Well written and thought out essay, in my opinion. If and when that day comes, I will take great pleasure in changing your title to Ranger. Best of luck to you.

RLTW
EP

[Everett Ruess]

Failure is a four-letter word concocted by those who would rather fail without trying.

This sentence should read, "Fail is a four-letter word concocted by those who would rather fail without trying."

"Failure" is in fact seven letters.

[/English Teacher]

[RTO]

It's been my experience that the 'why' of becoming a Ranger is one of the most important issues. And also one of the most overlooked part of training.

A lot of young men 'want' to be a Ranger. But most have never spent more than 5 minutes thinking about why they want to become a Ranger.

I promise you, there will be AT LEAST one moment at RIP that will push you waaaaaaaaay beyond any threshhold of physical pain and/or mental suffering you could ever possibly imagine.

At THIS moment, the ones that remember their 'why' (if it is for the right reasons) that they need to become a Ranger will push through the wall and live forever with the title 'Ranger' next to their name.

I'm proud of you for making this post and the thought that went into it. Remember your words here today at RIP and in my opinion, you will have already overcome the most difficult barrier in front of you, your own mind.

Sua Sponte

[Jim]

Renaissance Man has come a long way in the past eighteen months. There was a point where he was a candidate for flushing. Today, he is prepared to earn a place in the 75th Ranger Regiment. I for one am impressed with his tenacity and willingness to overcome all too many years of being fashionably disillusioned. He has absorbed quite a bit of abuse from some of the best DEP taskmasters. If he continues to progress, I think he may make it.

RM, if you make it through RIP, you might even get me down to Benning School for Boys -- as you are aware, I seldom leave the shade of the Pentagon.

[Rico]

I have learned that ambition unaccompanied by guidance and discipline is a fruitless waste of good time and energy.

Well said, I wish you the best of luck little brother.

Remember, do not fear the future, embrace its unknown quality. That which you desire most may rest on the other side of the door. You must find the courage to turn the knob.

[Slowpoke]

It sounds like you are mentally ready......make SURE you are physicly ready and you should do well!

Good luck!

[GoldCoast]

Failure is a four-letter word concocted by those who would rather fail without trying.

This sentence should read, "Fail is a four-letter word concocted by those who would rather fail without trying."

"Failure" is in fact seven letters.

[/English Teacher]

'Quit' works equally well.

I enjoyed the essay. Ranger Bill said something to me recently that lodged firmly in my brain - "Good luck is preparedness meeting opportunity. I trust you have both under control."

Those are good words for a man to live by.

[K.Ingraham]

Death happens only once, failure is forever.

[cams]

Renaissance Man has come a long way in the past eighteen months. There was a point where he was a candidate for flushing. Today, he is prepared to earn a place in the 75th Ranger Regiment. I for one am impressed with his tenacity and willingness to overcome all too many years of being fashionably disillusioned. He has absorbed quite a bit of abuse from some of the best DEP taskmasters. If he continues to progress, I think he may make it.

RM, if you make it through RIP, you might even get me down to Benning School for Boys -- as you are aware, I seldom leave the shade of the Pentagon.

I too learned something from this thread, good luck young man. Never quit.