to feel as safe in battle as in sleep

[Cpart84]

Hello Rangers,

I posted an intro this past summer just before I went to Airborne. I'm just an ROTC cadet right now in my junior year.

Anyway, one of the things that weighs on my mind alot is the question of whether or not I'm going to be able to keep my composure when the bullets start flying in my direction. I understand that as an officer, I, under no circumstance,will be allowed to freak out or else it could destroy the platoon's morale.

My question is basically this: how do I go about furthering a "rock hard mentality"? Were you Rangers just born with it for the most part or did it come from your training or was it an even mix of both.
How do you overcome or confront any fear of death? Did you/ do you just not think about it?
I keep thinking about that quotation by General Stonewall Jackson,

“My religious convictions teach me to feel as safe in battle as if I were safe asleep in bed. The time of my death is fixed. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready no matter when it may overtake me. That is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave.â€

[Earthpig]

When Rangers die, they link up in Valhalla. The ale is even better there than Guinness and the wenches are many. It's not really a bad gig.

If you want a more serious answer, I'll have to think about that one....it's rather deep.

RLTW
EP

[Steadfast]

[quote="Cpart84"]Hello Rangers,

I posted an intro this past summer just before I went to Airborne. I'm just an ROTC cadet right now in my junior year.

Anyway, one of the things that weighs on my mind alot is the question of whether or not I'm going to be able to keep my composure when the bullets start flying in my direction. I understand that as an officer, I, under no circumstance,will be allowed to freak out or else it could destroy the platoon's morale.

My question is basically this: how do I go about furthering a "rock hard mentality"? Were you Rangers just born with it for the most part or did it come from your training or was it an even mix of both.
How do you overcome or confront any fear of death? Did you/ do you just not think about it?
I keep thinking about that quotation by General Stonewall Jackson,

“My religious convictions teach me to feel as safe in battle as if I were safe asleep in bed. The time of my death is fixed. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready no matter when it may overtake me. That is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave.â€

[Cpart84]

You're right, Ranger Steadfast, I don't know for sure whether or not I'll see any combat but with the state of affairs and what our cadre tell us, I've come to expect that I will. That and I plan on having Infantry, FA, and Armor as my top three branch choices.

[Earthpig]

OK....I've had a little time to ponder this.

First, let me say that I have not seen combat in the military sense. I saw mine in Law Enforcement. Although the bullets were just as real and travelled just as fast, I'm not going to say that both types of combat are the same.

From my experience, I would say that faith is a strength that many men count on. It can aid in helping one be more comfortable with the thought of dying, thus making them more fearless in battle.

A stronger force, however (my opinion), is the desire to cover your buddies' asses. When you train hard 24/7 with the same 'team,' and go through difficult times together, a blood bond is formed. That bond seems to override everything else.

When the shit hits the fan, you will be reacting to your training. All you will be concerned with is protecting/assisting your teammates. Seriously....you won't think of death. If you do think about death, you'll think about how much you don't want your buddy to to die...and you'll do your best to make sure he doesn't.

The real, bone-deep, shaking fear hits you after everything is over. That's when your brain slows down enough to process everything and run the instant replay tapes. You realize then, how close you came to the 'Valhalla linkup.'

So what's the secret? Train hard often; give 110%; develop strong warrior bonds with your troops; and fight to the death to keep them all safe, strong, and united.

If things like this never crossed your mind, you'd probably make a piss-poor Officer. It's good that are already looking within yourself to develop good leadership skills. Best of luck to you.

RLTW
EP

[jakeshoe]

Good post EP.

I'm a peacetime Ranger myself too.

I personally don't fear death, I'd prefer it to be quick and fairly pain-free, even if violent and ugly.

The videos of the be-headings in Iraq, some people say how gruesome they are. And they are...
But there are worse ways to die.

Burn to death, gut shot, slow debilitating disease, etc..

To die on the field of battle is as good as it gets as far as honorably IMO.
However I agree with the old saying, "Make the enemy die for his country.."

But I've also pondered the thoughts that would run through my head while sitting on an aircraft, rigged, and a hot DZ coming up..

Nothing wrong with that.
Good luck with your endeavors.

[Slowpoke]

I know it sounds overly simplistic, but I didn't really think I was going to make it back alive. After that, you don't have to worry about being killed because you've already made peace with yourself about that. Then you just worry about your Brothers not getting hurt.

The bravest man I've ever known was a little srawny guy with thick glasses, meak, mild, wouldn't say SHIT if he had a mouthful. On the other hand, some of the biggest, loudest, "Billy-bad-assed" types were absolutely terrified in combat.

Now is the time to get to know yourself, push your mind and body hard enough that you know who you are......deep down in that place where you can't lie to yourself.

[Rock Island Ranger]

Now is the time to get to know yourself, push your mind and body hard enough that you know who you are......deep down in that place where you can't lie to yourself.

And there, Sir....is the biggest truth told. The fact that you would ask is good but there is another fact that as you lay in bed tonight you will know the answer. It aint bravado, it aint head games....it's what your heart tells you and your spirit confirms.
Train as if the fight begins any minute, you resolution about death with nullify the fear or at least keep it at bay. Drive on...you chose the road.

[Bell]

Rely on your training. You're being taught by experts. Listen to the NCO's that have BTDT. Learn as much as you can and be as good as you can be at what you do. Then, when the shit hits the fan, you'll be so busy doing what you've been trained to do that thoughts of personal comfort go far away. Keep your mind and eyes on the mission. Do what needs to be done and rely on your training. You won't have time to worry about anything else.

RLTW
Bell

[Cpart84]

Thanks, Rangers.

Believe it or not, I've learned alot about leadership from the "Band of Brothers" series; it's really made an impact on me. I want to do everything I can to not be a LT Dyke and be as much like Capt Winters as possible, I'm in complete awe of that man....well I'm in complete awe of all those guys, it's one of the big reasons I signed the dotted line, just out of pure inspiration to do something noble with my life and get the chance to lead the best people this country has produced. I do not want to let them and their families down.

Well I''m sure this all this idealism is making you BTDT's want to gag...but thanks alot, you're advice is priceless to me.

[Tool175]

1st off drop the FA, replace it w/ Intelligence as a request. YOu will have a seasoned E-7 as a PLt SGt to help you out. By the tie you get to your Plt you will have been thru Rgr school if you are branched Infantry and are half ass sqd away. The fact you actually question your leadership ability shows alot, everyoine in leadership questions themselves. Just overcome it and focus on your training that is at hand and the rest will take care of itself.

[Ripcord]

The Hardest part about Dieing is Living
if you ever go into combat make peace with whatever god you pray to and then go into it as if you are all ready dead ,Your training will take over and you and your buddies will watch out for each other and get the job done ,Now don't think that no one will die soliders get killed and wounded ,i am a strong beliver when it's your time well that is it .
I have often asked myself why did he get killed and not me we were so close well it was not my time .Just remember one thing never take any of your training as a joke always give 110% + and in training if you screw up and get smoked for your fuck up learn from it , Good Luck

[Kilted Heathen]

After you've jumped a few times you'll feel much more confident that you have a certain amount of courage.Anyone that says he hasn't lost a little sleep the night before a jump is probably full of shit.Anyone who tells you that he was not secretly relieved when a jump is called off is also full of shit.
This is not the "battle field challenge" but it's fucking close enough for practice.
I don't think you're worried about actually running I think you're worried that your brain will short out and you won't be able to think and decide.
Fuck it.Either you can drive men forward in the face of likely loss of life or limb (battle field challenge) or your NCO's will do it for you.
It's not a bad idea to try your hand as enlisted first.Many young men like yourself are enamored with hollywoods' image of the combat officer.
The window of opportunity for an officer to lead men at the point of the bayonet narrows considerably quicker.In short 80% of your career will be staff time.

[Cpart84]

[quote]I don't think you're worried about actually running I think you're worried that your brain will short out and you won't be able to think and decide.[quote]

thats pretty much exactly it...it's the thought of being so overcome with fear that you just freeze up

and it's too late for me to try the enlisted side unless I break my contract with ROTC. Plus with being Airborne qualified, I probably wouldn't be able to get a Ranger contract.

Beleive it or not I'm more enamored with the idea of a grunt FIDO'ing it than I am with the hollywood's glorious combat officer that's standing up in the middle of a battle shooting his pistol. So it's my time as an LT that I'm most looking foward to, I could care less about becoming a major....I want to get my hands dirty.

I guess what it comes down to is that I need to develop a "spiritual" side and to focus on my training and maybe spend less time getting all philosiphical thinking about death.

[BadMuther]

Gotta say this is probably one of the best threads on this board. Lot of wisdom here.

~S~