Introduction - Adam

[Smithy1911]

What a great knowledge base on this site. I've started researching a military career, special operations specifically and have had little trouble finding the facts I've searched for on the great WWW.

But when I came across this site I knew I had to register in case I find myself looking for something not purely based on facts such as military.com provides. Sometimes you need to talk with someone who has been there and done that and I know there are plenty of soldiers here in that category.

I never seriously considered the armed forces when I was in high school, I fully expected to pursue a college education and a professional civilian career and was strongly pushed in that direction by others with influence as well (e.g. parental units).

I have been making truly independent decisions for a long time now and that has lead me to question whether or not I'll ever be fully satisfied with my career and accomplishments. I graduated with a B.S. in construction management and have a great job in the energy engineering field. But, and please pardon the somewhat hackneyed metaphor, I can't shake the feeling that I am a sheepdog trying to fit in with the flock. I love spending time in the outdoors, hiking, hunting, shooting for sport etc. But I can do all those things as a civilian. I want to use my body and mind to take that skill set, polish it to a high sheen with the help of the kind of men providing training at Fort Benning, and use them for something really important.

While I haven't made a definitive choice as to whether or not I will enlist, I do find myself more and more excited by the prospect the more I research and talk with folks who have made the commitment.

If enlisting, I really can only imagine giving all that I have to become an Army Ranger.

My first question is how many of you who have earned your place in this elite unit KNEW for a fact that you would pass muster before you started?

Respectfully,

Adam

[Bravo57]

Welcome to the site Adam.

Every Ranger that makes it, knows he's going to make it. It's the "Never Quit" attitude that drives us.

[Invictus]

My first question is how many of you who have earned your place in this elite unit KNEW for a fact that you would pass muster before you started?

Respectfully,

Adam

Adam,

I'll break from the mold here and say that I for one wasn't sure if I'd make it. So much so, that in Airborne school, after seeing the RIP cadre pick up the recent graduating class, I called my folks and told them I wasn't sure I was going to be able to do it. I told them I was thinking of dropping my contract. My mom, of all people, told me something that stuck with me through RIP, and does still to this day. She said "you can always quit tomorrow." I can't remember how many times I thought that to myself, and it actually became an inside joke. Obviously, I never quit, but there were certainly times the thought crossed my mind. I just refused to let whatever adversity lay in my path defeat me.

I came from a pretty sheltered background, but the fear of failure, and the desire to stand in the ranks with the men I saw wearing a black beret drove me. In a Ranger Battalion, you have to earn your place every day.

That's what makes it such a great place to be.

Welcome to ArmyRanger.com

[Fishboy]

"you can always quit tomorrow."

Very, very good!
I am gonna quote your Mom tomorrow on the "quote board" at ANCOC.



Welcome to the site, you will find the answers you seek, here.

[Jim]

Welcome...

Indeed, you found the home of the sheep dogs. Sadly, we sometimes take ourselves too seriously.

[Ranger Bill]

Welcome. Your intrest and consideration of Army Rangers is appreciated. Being a Ranger is not for everyone. It may or may not be the best choice for you, but if you make that choice, you have to drive on and never look back. I can tell you that you never meet a finer group of men than Rangers. We share a special bond with each other no matter our age or when we served. It is a brotherhood. As for my answer to your question, I do not believe I knew I'd make it, but I did know I that I would never be able to face my family, friends, Army buddies and most importantly myself if I quit.

[RangerX]

In retrospect, I can honestly say that back then I didn't "know" shit.

My mantra during training was "At least they can't kill me". In most situations today it still applies.