Introduction - Nate

[NateZ1000]

Hello, my name is Nate, I'm 19 years old, and swore in yesterday with an 11x contract with option 40. My ship date is 20160216.

I recently finished one semester of college, where I was involved with the ROTC program. Going from high school right to college was never something I had a desire to do, as I have wanted to enlist in the Army since I was in elementary school. Despite my reluctance to attend college, I did so, to appease my parents. With that, the burning in my gut to be part of the Army did not vanish when I applied for schools. I had known about ROTC for a long time, and decided to be a part of that to try and feed the hunger I had in my heart. I did enjoy ROTC. I met one of my best friends I'll have while in that program, as well as building great relationships with others. I learned valuable terms, tactics, and drills while in ROTC that will benefit me greatly while going through OSUT. I felt very comfortable during drills, lab, and other parts of ROTC. I performed to the best of my ability at all times, and I believe that it showed. I was made a squad leader as a first year cadet, which is normally reserved for second year cadets and older. I was the only first year cadet to lead PT, which always went well, and was personally complimented on my work by the PMS. A very proud moment of mine was when a cadre member pulled me aside after a PT session, where he complimented me on my performance, and that the rest of the cadre were tracking me, and I was very much being looked at for contracting. While I did enjoy my time with ROTC, the feeling of going after my dream had never faded, and only grew stronger. I had been battling the feeling before I had even left for school. I talked to my parents about it within two weeks of being at school. I continued to push through in hopes it may change, but as I stated previously, it didn't. One day I finished my classes for the day, and drove home to talk to my family about it in person. They are scared, like most parents, but they understand, and had a feeling it would happen. Within a week I met with my recruiter, and in less than a month I had my contract reserved, and swore in 20151217. It was hard for me to withdraw from school, as I have an immensely difficult time quitting anything. With the help of my family, I realized I wasn't quitting, but following my dream. That had I not done what I'm doing now, I would be quitting on myself, by not following my heart.

I'm very fortunate for the family I have, and without them I wouldn't be the person I am today. There is a great military presence around me. The most influential person in my life is my grandfather. He retired from the Army as a full-bird colonel, after 38 years of service and what I believe to be the epitome of a true gentleman. He is still highly involved with the Army, and is currently serving as an Army Reserve Ambassador. I have uncles and great uncles that had served, some highly decorated. My family is also very close to a successful man currently in the Army, whose name I will not mention. All I will say is that he makes a great difference in the Army, and makes it better everyday. He, along with my grandfather, are great men, and influence how I live my life.

As I have always been very interested in the Army, I had taken an interest in the history of it. I have a decent amount of knowledge of the history of the Rangers. The last book I read was by Jim DeFelice; "Rangers at Dieppe" which focused on the formation of the first Ranger units in WW2, how they trained with the British Commandos, and of course the battle at Dieppe. Something I've been able to share with my grandfather is the history of the Army, and his great collection of military memorabilia, insignia, patches, etc. Some of my fondest memories with my grandfather are that of spending time with him at military museums, and other military functions where he added more to his personal collection.

I believe it can be difficult to describe oneself personality without sounding too arrogant. The best way I can describe myself is a type A personality. I'm extremely competitive, which at one point in my life was also a negative trait of mine. As I got older, I learned from the mistakes I had made in the past, and I never regret anything I've done, because it has made me into a better person, regardless of how much it hurt realizing it. I like to believe I'm very motivated, and dedicated. One of my greatest passions in my life is becoming the best I can both mentally, and physically. While at school I was able to work out twice a day, and now I have finished my schooling, I work out three times a day. I feel as though I am a very empathetic person as well. I often have people tell me the problems they are dealing with in their lives, and feel comfortable doing so. I do have negatives aspects of my personality, just like anybody does. As I said before, there are times I'm too competitive, but that is something I really focused on, and I'm able to take the negative emotions I feel after a loss, and see it through a positive perspective and to do everything I can to improve. I have had times where my anger and impatience has shown through me, which I was not proud of, but again, I try my absolute best to control my anger, and improve my patience.

My interest in becoming a Ranger was born out of my desire to be a part of the best of the best. I have no desire to do this job for "fame" or for the money. I really looked to see what would be the hardest thing I can do, and I respect the Ranger Creed, I'm memorizing it, and I live by it. I know having this option 40 on my contract is a huge opportunity. This is something I will not let slip through my hands. I understand this will be the hardest thing I will go through in my life, and there will be times where I am barely hanging on. All I know is that I'm going to give one-hundred-percent and then some

I feel rather good about my physical standing right now. I have been working out consistently for the past five years. During football in the off-season, we had a power-lifting team, where I was highly involved. In high school, I was eventually made captain of the team. In the beginning of my junior year, I fractured my ribs before the first game, I was out for the season. I eventually left the team, as the team lost its camaraderie, as it filled with clique, I realized there were better things I could be a part of. I started working at the gym I still work at today. I was given many leadership positions in the gym, I was able to lead classes, and help others better themselves. It was also there where I was introduced to crosstrain. This type of working out has greatly improved my strength, as well as cardiovascular potential. This has helped me tremendously with my APFT scores. I also participated in Track&Field all four years of high school. I was a successful thrower and hurdler, attending both league championships and district championships. Going into ROTC, I expected to do very well on the APFT. I was mistaken, and my first test was awful, to say the least. I scored a 204 the first time. Two months later I was able to bring my score up to a 290, where I maxed the push-ups and sit-ups, but just missed maxing the run. Today I decided to administer the APFT to myself, as I know you would like to have a current score, and I had a day of rest because of being at MEPS. I again maxed the push-ups and sit-ups with ease, and had my best two mile time, and felt comfortable with my pull-ups. Here are my results:

Push-ups: 82
Sit-ups 80
Two-mile run: 12:29
Pull-ups: 15

My current body disposition is: 6'4", 210 LBS

I'm pleased with my score, but I know I always have room to improve. My goal for the APFT my recruiter will administer one month before my ship date are as such:

Push-ups: 95
Sit-ups: 90
Two-mile run: 12:00 or less
Pull-ups: 20

Thank you for reading, I hope this isn't too long, if it is, I will gladly remove everything you would like me to.

The last thing I would like to say is, thank you. This site is extremely important to someone like me, and I appreciate it. The amount of time and effort I see you guys put into this site is, I'm sure a reflections on all Rangers, and their extreme work-ethic and attention to detail. Also, thank you for those who have picked up the sword, I'm looking forward to have my chance to do the same.

[Jim]

Nate, If you want to earn a place in the 75th Ranger Regiment, you came to the right site. We take pride in the fine young men who pass through armyranger.com in their life journey. Please begin by reading the FAQs as well as selected threads and stickies. Most questions you might have are already addressed. The search feature, located on the top right of this page is your friend. Never, never quit!

[CharlieRanger1FFV]

Welcome to the site, Nate.


RLTW!!!

[Jim]

Nate, You have been smoking the five mentees thread. Merry Christmas and never, never quit!

[NateZ1000]

Roger, Ranger Jim. I will be completing more as the holiday gatherings wind down. Merry Christmas to you as well!

[Jim]

Roger, Ranger Jim. I will be completing more as the holiday gatherings wind down. Merry Christmas to you as well!

Happy New Year, Nate. Never, never quit!

[NateZ1000]

Thank you, Ranger Jim. Happy New Year to you as well!

[Jim]

Keep up the good work. Not too much time until you ship.

[NateZ1000]

Roger, Ranger Jim. I have about five or six assignments I will be posting tomorrow.

[NateZ1000]

Rangers, small SITREP. I'm on my way to the hotel right now, I'll arrive at Fort Benning tomorrow night. I'm feeling confident and looking forward to the training I'll be going through in the next year. I look forward to have the chance to make all the Rangers proud on this site.

Rangers, I can't begin to thank you all enough. It is all greatly appreciated.

PT update: Completed a five mile run a week ago, ran it in 34:30.

[rangerjd]

Keep in touch when you can, Give everything you've got, every time you give and never, ever quit! RLTW