Intro - "Smalls"

[HooahParatrooper]

Dear Rangers,

my name is PFC “Smalls”. i am a 19 year-old soldier with the 1st brigade combat team 504th parachute infantry regiment, 82nd airborne division. as of right now, we’re stationed somewhere in iraq, and we’ll be coming home some time in the future.

i was raised in a small town about 40 minutes outside of st. louis, missouri in april of ‘91. i ran cross country and track in high school, i loved swimming, and drinking and smoking weed were usually on the “let’s do this fucking shit” list for my weekends. i had a fun time for the first 18 years of my life.

i decided to join the army on september 11, 2001. i was in 5th grade. although i didn’t understand what my teacher meant when he said america had been “attacked,” it became pretty clear when my dad got home and turned on the news. when i asked him what happened, he only told me that bad people wanted to hurt us because of what we have, and that me and my future children are in for a long ride. once again, i was confused, but it took about 2 minutes looking at the burning buildings and the people jumping from them to realize what i had to do.

in high school, i joined a marine corp JROTC. it taught me a lot about the military and discipline, but a family history of soldiers weighed on my shoulders, and i couldn’t bring myself to join the marines. i was “a little PT stud,” as my instructor put it, and i kept it that way the entire time i was in. and yes, it felt good to be fit and representing the army when there were only pepperoni-faced fat-bodies talking mad shit for the marines.

i left for basic on 10 june 2009. after graduating on 25 september, i went to airborne school and earned my wings. then i went to bragg to join the 1 BCT. since i got fucked out of every possible leave opening there was, i haven’t been home for more than a year. that sucks, but i’ve done a bit of growing since then. and “a bit” is a special way of saying “a lot.”

i was immediately disappointed in how little pride the soldiers of my unit had when it came to the 82nd. this disappointment was followed by a desire to go to special forces selection, which was then followed by a want to get my Ranger tab before selection. it took me picking up the Ranger handbook to realize what was in front of me the entire time. i need tradition, i need pride in what i do, and i need those who are around me to be equally, if not more proud, of what they do and how they do it. if there was ever such a thing as tradition or prestige, then the Rangers are the epitome of those, and they’ve proved it time and time again throughout america’s violent history. i need to be a part of that.

i’ve already started the paperwork for Ranger school, and i’m going to request RASP soon after. i’m shooting for the stars, but i’d rather try and fail epically then not try at all. either way, i’m honored and privileged to be talking to real Rangers, and not some RIP baby who talks shit on them because he didn’t have the intestinal fortitude to get in. thanks for all you guys do. you’ve got at least 1 fan in the 82nd.

regards,

PFC smalls

[Bravo57]

Welcome to the site. I've moved you intro to the proper forum, as you are currently serving.

Please send me a private message with what you would like your name to be changed to. Since you aspire to be a Ranger, but are not there yet, we cannot allow you to have "Ranger" in your User name.

Thank you for your service to this great Nation.

[Ranger Ron]

Welcome to ArmyRanger.com and thanks for your service to out great country!

[RangerX]

April '91?

Welcome aboard and thank you for serving in these "interesting" times. This forum is an amazing resource, hopefully it will benefit you in your endeavors.

As for failing epicly, join the SEALs. The motto around here is Never Quit.

[mortar_guy78]

If I could get to RIP from 3rd ID in '99 just by hounding people with 4187s (I didn't even have to re-enlist), you can get there from the eightydouche. Keep your spirits up and never quit.

Welcome and thanks for your service.

[garyedolan]

Welcome Younster. Thank you for your service to our country. Keep interested in your career, wherever it may take you and always strive to be the very best you can be. I wish you well in pursuing your goals. Never Quit.

[al_2ndWolfhounds]

Welcome and thank you for your service.

[colt1rgr]

Welcome young stud and "thank you for your service to our great nation!".

[Ranger Bill]

Welcome and best of luck to you in achieving your goals.

[JustARetiredCommando]

Welcome aboard.

[HooahParatrooper]

Keep interested in your career, wherever it may take you and always strive to be the very best you can be.

Be good at what you do wherever you are.

Goodluck and thanks for your service

i personally wanted to give kudos for the original black beret. i haven't seen a legitimate black one since my dad's buddy (vietnam ranger veteran, slightly insane, earned the purple heart via sniper shot to the chest) came over for a random visit.

rick: "HEY BUDDY, YOU WANNA SEE THE COOLEST PIECE OF HEADWEAR YOU'LL EVER FUCKIN' LAY YOUR LITTLE HANDS ON?!?!"
*small's dad starts laughing hysterically*
baby smalls: "like a hat?"
rick: "EXACTLY! PUT IT ON BROTHER! LET'S SEE YOUR KILLIN' FACE!!"

and that's when i fell in love with the Rangers.

oh, and i realize that many Rangers on here probably have the real black beret, but Zonk has a picture of it up, so i'm pretty turned on by it.

[mortar_guy78]

You know, one of the worst things about being a leg now is having to put that fucking thing on my head every day.

I was in Batt. when they announced the whole black beret thing, but I was in Italy when it was actually implemented. About a year afterwards, a buddy and his wife came over to the house. The wife looked at my Ranger plaque on the wall and said, "Why do you have a leg beret on your wall?" I told her to get the fuck out of my house or I was gonna punch her in the mouth.

[Bravo57]

Please send me a private message with what you would like your name to be changed to. Since you aspire to be a Ranger, but are not there yet, we cannot allow you to have "Ranger" in your User name.