Introduction - Andrew

[LionsDen]

Rangers,
APFT Self-Administered 20170215
Push up - 86
Sit up - 75
2 mile - 12:30
Pull up - 13

My times lead me to believe my last PT test was not measured properly at the recruiter's office. We were just running on the sidewalk, while my self-administered tests are run on a track at exactly 2 miles. I don't believe that test to be valid.
The good news is my sit ups are almost at the max and my push ups are increasing. I expect a max APFT next update.
The bad news is that my pullups dropped and my run time is no better. I know I need to focus more on pullups as well. All the other mentees can do well above me, and I will not be the slacker.

[LionsDen]

Rangers,
APFT Buddy-administered 20170226
Push up - 79
Sit up - 72
2 mile - 12:24
Pull up - 14

The good news is my 2 mile and pull ups are back on track to increase. The really bad news is that I didn't hit the max APFT goal I set for myself. I have no excuses and will be getting back to it as hard as possible to hit that max APFT. Pushing out 50+1. My goal is by the end of April to have both a max APFT and a completed task list.

SITREP 20170301
My position as Squad Leader has proven harder than I thought. As a first-year cadet, and the only first-year squad leader, I don't enjoy the respect that the second-years or Police Explorers (essentially an internship with local police) do. One cadet in particular has been giving me problems lately. Smoking him to the extent of what I am allowed to in class has proven ineffective, so I've been trying different methods involving more empathy and class leader involvement. For now, he seems subdued and respectful, but only time will tell how long that lasts.

Belman1 and I, along with potentially KeepRunning3 and J031 (if he can get a cheap flight over) are trying to meet up over spring break. We were originally going to run a half-marathon, until we found out the price tag was $70. Instead, we will either be running an 18 mile public trail in Chicago or rucking and camping complete with poncho hooches.

[Disinfertention]

Great update. Really nice to see you guys coming together. If nothing else you have a goal in common and can share in that.

Leadership is a funny thing. You could ask for advice with your 1 problem person and probably get different words from everyone on how to deal with it. Different people need different approaches, especially with current generations of folks. I like seeing you changed your approach but do not hesitate to discipline someone just because you've spoken to them on a more personal level. You are in charge, they are the subordinate. The most important person to remember that is you, not them.

[LionsDen]

Great update. Really nice to see you guys coming together. If nothing else you have a goal in common and can share in that.

Leadership is a funny thing. You could ask for advice with your 1 problem person and probably get different words from everyone on how to deal with it. Different people need different approaches, especially with current generations of folks. I like seeing you changed your approach but do not hesitate to discipline someone just because you've spoken to them on a more personal level. You are in charge, they are the subordinate. The most important person to remember that is you, not them.

Roger that, Ranger Disinfertention. Like you've mentioned, it's been awkward to drop someone who I'm acquainted with on a personal level. It felt almost wrong at first, but it was the right thing to do in the end. We've only got a month and a couple weeks left on the program, and then I'll probably never see him again, so the practicality of straightening him out is mainly so he can lead next year if the instructor decides to promote him.

[Disinfertention]

Being in charge of people is difficult. Knowing what to do is not easy. If they are older than you it is worse. Know some of these facts and put them into play later, whatever you end up doing... Leadership is an ever defining point in your life. If it's not, you're not a leader in my opinion. And, of course, opinions are like assholes.

[LionsDen]

Being in charge of people is difficult. Knowing what to do is not easy. If they are older than you it is worse. Know some of these facts and put them into play later, whatever you end up doing... Leadership is an ever defining point in your life. If it's not, you're not a leader in my opinion. And, of course, opinions are like assholes.

Roger that, Ranger Disinfertention.

[LionsDen]

Rangers,
PT Test 20170315
Push up - 76
Sit up - 79
2 mile - 12:37
Pull up - 15

I finally pushed my situps above the max of 78 for my age range, and hit max on the standard APFT. My next focus is on raising my pull ups and lowering my run time.

Other good PT news
5 mile run 20170311 - 34:08, new PR
12 mile ruck 20170312 - 2:48:06
12 mile ruck was done with an ALICE with frame, a 40 pound bag of salt, a couple water bottles and a piece of wood carried like a weapon. For clothes, I wore boots, cargo pants, and a hoodie. The ground material was asphalt.

[Disinfertention]

Great update. I remember what I did before I joined... sat on my ass and waited. Good to see your motivation paying off.

[Jim]

Andrew, wearing your leadership hat, nobody has posted in the five mentee thread in a week. Never, never quit!

[LionsDen]

Andrew, wearing your leadership hat, nobody has posted in the five mentee thread in a week. Never, never quit!

Ranger Jim,
I talked to a couple of the Mentees, and they agreed to push through their updates as soon as possible. I will finish up my final update before the end of the month, as well.

[Jim]

Andrew, Wanted to take a moment to mention how well you have progressed since you joined the site in November 2016. In less than six months, you have progressed very quickly. I have been impressed with your leadership skills. They will serve you well in the future. Never, never quit!

[LionsDen]

Andrew, Wanted to take a moment to mention how well you have progressed since you joined the site in November 2016. In less than six months, you have progressed very quickly. I have been impressed with your leadership skills. They will serve you well in the future. Never, never quit!

Roger, Ranger Jim. I appreciate your words a lot; They mean a lot coming from a Ranger, and an accomplished one at that. Thank you.

Despite what you said about progress, I do have to tell the truth.

PT Test 20170329
Push up: 79
Sit up: 75
2 mile: 13:11
Pull up: 15

My 2 mile went up a lot. I had less time to workout with school, and the temperature warmed up over 40 degrees from my last test. (Previously 20, was 60 or so this test). Regardless, that's my responsibility, and it'll be much worse at RASP. My next update, I'll have my scores back to a 300 or better.

SITREP 20170401
I have spent a lot of time reading Letters from School during class. I have teachers who talk about their daughter's dance recital or equivalent irrevelanr topics, so I usually get at least a solid 30 minutes or so a day to peruse the Letters from School. Additionally, I have been learning the Soldier's Creed, M.I. Creed, and NCO creed at the suggestion of my recruiter, as well as the PRT drills. Lastly, I'm looking into a online college course to get my last 3 credits for a promotion to E-2. I'll hopefully start that before the midway mark of April.

[Jim]

Andrew, do you feel like we have given you the tools you need to succeed? Please be brutally honest and truthful. Never, never quit!

[LionsDen]

Andrew, do you feel like we have given you the tools you need to succeed? Please be brutally honest and truthful. Never, never quit!

Ranger Jim,
This site has absolutely given me the tools to prepare for the future. The task list and the "Letters from School" forum are by far the two most helpful things, but are completely dependent on how much time you are willing to invest. If you just float through the task list, it will mean nothing. But if you actually put the effort into it, it absolutely broadens your horizons and give you a peek into what awaits you.

There are two other indirect tools of this site. The first is a mindset transition; It has taken me personally from a "ready to attempt the path in front of me" mindset to a "ready to tackle the path in front of me head on". That's not to say that I'm 100% confident I'll crush RASP, because nobody can say that, but it has helped build up my confidence in my ability to do one of the hardest things I'll ever do in my life. Additionally, this website is at its most beneficial for me, a DEP, when I'm not posting anything and just reading. There's so much to read, and it has all influenced my thinking greatly.

If I do have to be 100% brutally honest, the one thing I would say is, compared to the beginning of the thread, the Five Mentees Report Here thread is much more hands-off. I made it most of the way through my task list before Ranger Disinfertention challenged something I wrote, and I figured the Rangers would enjoy shredding everything I did to pieces... :D

I know this post is starting to get very long, but getting to know the other Mentees has been very valuable. Between them and the bi-monthly PT tests, I've had been held accountable for my preparation, and that's been a very useful tool as well.

Long story short, I do believe the Rangers here have given me the tools to succeed, and I'm incredibly appreciative to the time past and present Rangers have give to building this resource.

[Disinfertention]

All things in life is what you make of it. I'd be wise to take my own advice with that on many levels.

Many of us stumbled through RIP/RASP with nothing more than a swift kick in the ass, some not even that. If we can enable a smarter generation to self develop and push themselves... not only is there a better Regiment but a better Army and Military.