I received this commo from Cdwdirect this morning:
Ranger EarthPig, this is Cdwdirect, message follows, over...
For what it's worth, I passed my Airborne PT test and next week ship downrange to Airborne School. I'm in Airborne Hold right now - in fact on leave in Columbus until tomorrow night. I admit to being nervous initially because it was the first time someone NOT my Co. Drill Sergeant was observing my pushups, and I didn't know what to expect. There were a hell of a lot of us out there at once taking the test, over 450 privates that I knew of, and a hefty chunk of the formation was broken off before the end of the day.
A day in Airborne Hold is less discouraging than 30th AG, but it feels similar. While they are not as prevalent, there are still "shitbags" here, being buff does not equate to being mature. I'm still learning how to balance being "one of the guys" with being above the fray - either extreme is a terrible choice for the infantry private. You have to be a bit of dirt on you to have any friends. "Duty" is sitting around sporatically interrupted by menial labor. I know nobody cares, but I volunteer for every detail and give the Sergeants my best efforts. Scrubbing toilets to a shine, painting over sloppy paint jobs, sweeping dust clouds in musty old bays until my sinuses are raw, etc. I tell myself, "If I do this with a smile now, it wont be so hard tackling all the work I get assigned for being the cherry at batallion." That still is so far away.
Even though I didn't officially sign up in any kind of mentoring relationship with a Ranger from these boards, I consider you my mentor. I will do my best to keep you current on my progress. If you send me orders for PT, I'll knock 'em out.
Cdwdirect, out.
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Cdwdirect,
You continue to impress me. Congrats on passing the PT Test. You have maintained an excellent attitude, and believe it or not, that's what will carry you through all of this training.
I'd like to address one comment you made. If nobody does care how well you do on a task (which is possible), then they are worthless leaders. I always assumed that my work was noticed......and eventually, it was.
I think it's safe to say that your supervisors do notice that you volunteer for every assignment, that you do the tasks with a smile, and that you go the extra mile to do the job better than expected. That is what separates elite troops from run-of-the-mill troops. Rangers are self-starters, who are punctual, who don't need to be told when or how to do something, and who give 110% in everything they do.
From what I'm seeing, you will wear the Tan Beret someday. Continue your training with the same fortitude and gusto that you started with and you'll be at Battalion before you know it.
Keep up the excellent work and thanks for the SITREP.
RLTW
EP
Cdwdirect Sends Word from Airborne Hold
Cdwdirect Sends Word from Airborne Hold
Always remember: BROS BEFORE HOES.
Let me addres this. If your buddies have questionable integrity, you should be hanging out with them anyway. They will not ensure that you make it to Battalion to hang around men with standards as high as yours.I'm still learning how to balance being "one of the guys" with being above the fray - either extreme is a terrible choice for the infantry private.
Crabs in a barrel.
I had a Soldier arrested by CID friday night for this kind of thinking..
NCO, TOO.
Guess what he is doing now?
MSG Hit_it
@Bragg
@Bragg
