I met an old Ranger...

se7en · Post by **se7en** » March 6th, 2005, 2:49 pm

I had the privilege of attending a lecture given by a man many of you have most likely heard of.

Colonel Ralph Puckett, Jr. came by my psychology classroom as a favor to my professor (a former RI) to speak with us about the implications of leadership. His acts of bravery were almost smothered by his humble nature. Nonetheless, they were almost as amazing as his presence.

For those readers not familiar with COL Puckett, he graduated from West Point in 1949 and received his first company command shortly thereafter. He was a Second Lieutenant in charge of recruiting and training a COMPANY of Rangers. He went on to receive many commendations such as, but not limited to, the Distinguished Service Cross. Later in his career he was a member of the 101st, 10th SFG and did his part to train many a young Ranger.

The most amazing part of the visit was the Q+A section at the end. When prompted with:

â€œWhat allowed you to go from graduation to company commander so seamlesslyâ€¦how did you overcome the fear of being put in a position like that?â€

Earthpig · Post by **Earthpig** » March 6th, 2005, 5:43 pm

I'm shocked that a college Psych class would schedule a Warrior to be a guest speaker. Excellent! I wish more schools would be that open. Sounds like a very worthwhile lecture.
RLTW
EP

Silverback · Post by **Silverback** » March 6th, 2005, 5:45 pm

Fact: Once you meet COL Puckett you'll never be the same!

EDITED FOR CONTENT (I DIDN'T MEAN WHAT I TYPED)

rgrpuck · Post by **rgrpuck** » March 6th, 2005, 5:52 pm

Silverback wrote:Fact: Once you meet COL Puckett you'll be the same!

an AWSOME man and Legendary RANGER.

BattleBoar · Post by **BattleBoar** » March 9th, 2005, 12:44 pm

EarthPig wrote:I'm shocked that a college Psych class would schedule a Warrior to be a guest speaker. Excellent! I wish more schools would be that open. Sounds like a very worthwhile lecture.
RLTW
EP

EP,
This kid's a "smack" in "college" in New York with a former RI as an instructor. I think I went to the same school. The best part of it was the unbelievable guest speakers that we'd get. COL Puckett, LTG Moore, GEN Schwarzkopf, MG (now GEN(R)) McCaffery (right after ODS), President G.H.W. Bush, GEN Westmoreland, COL Tex Turner....

And this Psych class was lucky enough to get COL Puckett in a classroom?!? Here's hopin' they're all paying attention.

Completely agree with all of you about COL Puckett. When you first hear the introduction, you're like "Holy Shit! He did all of that?" And then you hear this completely humble, unassuming warrior talk and you're left speechless. He offers so much of his time to speak to future leaders at Benning and elsewhere. Truly a model soldier and leader.

Thanks for passing it on, Cadet. Keep soaking it in. You've got a lot of responsibility coming in 3 1/2 years. Do good.

rgrpuck · Post by **rgrpuck** » March 9th, 2005, 12:48 pm

He used to come to all the RIP graduations as the guest speaker.
Everytime I saw him he would stop me and talk for a bit. One of the last times we talked he had discovered that he and I were cousins.

Now I dont know how much truth is in it, But it is nice to think that I am related to a hall of fame Ranger. There aint that many Puckett's out there.