Subject Analysis: The Ranger Creed

[Poetryisdeath]

My latest English assignment is to choose any topic, idea, person, song, poem, et cetera and to pick apart each detail that makes the subject a whole, describe how each part works together to create the whole, and then put it back together.

I chose to Analyze the Ranger Creed; not only because this is an assignment for a grade in a class, but because the Ranger Creed is something that is important to me.

My plan is to move from Stanza to Stanza and describe how I believe each one defines the Ranger in combat and in life, but also how it is linked directly to his character; the kind of person that he is, not just the kind of Soldier.

I will submit my Subject Analysis to you no later than 1700 March 5th.

(I am not trying to over-step my boundaries of experience, only trying to give an impression of what I have learned in my 5 months actively viewing and interacting on this Board.)

[blueskiesalways]

http://www.armyranger.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=9558

[Silverback]

OK...Now we have a DEP that get's corrected by a mom! DEP Beat your mug, Mom good job!

[Poetryisdeath]

Doing pushups, but I meant the entire Ranger Creed, not just what I think is the most important part, Ranger Mom Blueskiesalways.

[Kilted Heathen]

It's not nice to talk back to moms.
Do some more push ups!

[Poetryisdeath]

Pushing 'till muscle failure, Ranger Kilted Heathen.

No disrespect was intented, Ranger Mom Blueskiesalways.

[Earthpig]

I think you picked an excellent topic for your paper. I'm eager to read the polished version. Good luck. What you learn from this paper just might shape you as a man. Hopefully, I will learn something from your interpretation, as well.
RLTW
EP

[Poetryisdeath]

Yes, Ranger Desert Sloth.

Thank you, Ranger EarthPig

[Poetryisdeath]

Before the fifty states, before the pledge of Allegiance there were Rangers. Before Desert Storm, World War II, and even the Revolution there were Rangers. Their environments have changed, their equipment has changed, and their ranks have changed; but the Rangers’ place in this world has never changed. They have been, and will be, the Army’s elite.
The Ranger Creed does not follow the Rangers all the way back through history. In fact, the Ranger Creed is only thirty years old. Command Sgt. Maj. Neal R. Gentry, the original Command Sergeant Major of the reactivated 1st Ranger Battalion, wrote the Ranger Creed in 1974 when the Chief of Staff of the Army, General Creighton Abrams ordered the formation of Ranger Battalions(Martin). The Ranger Creed is the fundamental basis of all things expected by the Army, had by the Rangers, and envied by everyone else. All two hundred forty one words are broken into six stanzas--each stanza being a specific declaration of a group of characteristics that are expected of anyone serving in the Ranger Regiment. The Creed is not just a set of characteristics, though. The Creed is a doctrine that the Rangers incorporate into their daily lives, and by which they become the premiere light infantry of the world.

Soldiers are not selected to go through the arduous training to earn the coveted title of Ranger. They volunteer to go through the Army's Ranger Indoctrination Program. The program, a four week course of physical and mental punishment, is designed to instruct and select, from a pool of candidates from Private to Specialist/Corporal, those suitable for service in the 75th Ranger Regiment. The four week program consists of physical training and continuous preparation for service in the Regiment(GoArmy.com). The first sentence of the first Stanza--recognizing that I volunteered as a Ranger, fully knowing the hazards of my chosen profession--can literally be translated to, "No whining," and encompasses this volunteer attitude. I have found that Rangers do not complain and are extraordinarily proud of this attribute. No matter what the situation, Rangers are conditioned to adapt and overcome (Armyranger.com). The second sentence in first stanza of the Ranger Creed--I will always endeavor to uphold the prestige, honor, and high espirit de corps of my Ranger Regiment--is a declaration of the Ranger's pride in his work. The Ranger is paid no more than any Soldier, whether they are a carpenter or networker. It may seem that there is no incentive to be a Ranger, but to those few who are Ranger hopefuls the incentive is the enormous pride one feels when donning the Tan Beret. The realization that one is a step above and beyond what is common. To prove one's ability to lead and command while undergoing significant mental, emotional, and physical stress(Armyranger.com).

There is more to being a Ranger than simply meeting the standards set down by superiors. One must uphold these standards everyday, and go beyond the call of duty to excel. A Ranger does not only train to be the best, they train to get the job done. They must train because the enemy trains, and failure is not only not an option, it is not a word. The Ranger is expected to be more highly motivated than any Soldier, better trained, and better prepared. They accept that within eighteen hours, they can be in a foreign country, surrounded by hostile forces, at any time. It is not their duty, not only their job, it is their privilege. This is the basic overview of the second stanza; an acknowledgment of their willingness to go beyond what is expected. Knowing that country and countrymen are always at risk from the enemy, they understand that their country must call upon a force that can react to any situation, anywhere, quickly.

The 75th Ranger Regiment is a team. From the Regimental level, to the Battalion level, straight down to Squad level. Each member of this unique and formidable unit must rely on one another to do their jobs. The third stanza displays this level of teamwork and comraderie. "Never shall I fail my comrades." The words are almost haunting. One becomes family with the ones they serve with and protect them as they must protect themselves. Ranger Slowpoke has said before, "You're more worried about failing your buddies than dying,"(Slowpoke). Those words exemplify the first sentence of the third stanza. When you care more for your team leader or your squad than you do about your own life, then you know selfless-sacrifice. “There are many more enemies out there than just the guys in the funny uniforms. Complacency is an enemy. Laziness is an enemy. Jealousy is an enemy. Rangers will never allow fellow Rangers to fall into the hands of these enemies either,â€

[Poetryisdeath]

http://www.rangerteam16.com, RGR CREED, Creed History

http://www.goarmy.com; U.S. Army Ranger Recruiting - What To Expect at Training

http://www.armyranger.com/bb

LTC Lock, JD; The Coveted Black and Gold

[SkyShark]

Very nice. Let us know what grade you get!!

[Thursday]

I'm sure it's a great read, and I'm about to read it now, but next time, PLEASE PLEASE use more paragraphs.

edit: good read, I liked it.

[centermass]

[quote="Desert Sloth"]I want that in MLA format and no less than 1800 words.

Must include a works cited page.

tic toc...tic toc....

Poe wrote:

I will submit my Subject Analysis to you no later than 1700 March 5th.

March 05, 1653Z. (made hit time)

My Works cited page will be on the next post. (celebrities by name! )

1,806 words. MLA format. As instructed. (yep, 1806 and whatever the hell an MLA format is.... :? )

Poe,

Great job. Don't get cocky.

[Poetryisdeath]

I'm sure it's a great read, and I'm about to read it now, but next time, PLEASE PLEASE use paragraphs.

I did. Sadly, when I posted it, it did not recognize the tabs or spaces.