Daily Ranger

THE DAILY RANGEROr

WHAT I DID FOR FUN AFTER COMMISSIONING

by

2LT FRANCIS Q. HOANGRANGER CLASS 9-95

THE DAILY RANGER

Dedicated toUSMA Class of J 995,

whose support and encouragement made all the difference,and John Brennan,

the best Buddy a Ranger could ask for

TABLE OF CONTENTS

IntroductionPre-RangerRanger Assessment PhaseDarby PhaseMountain PhaseFlorida PhaseAppendix A: r..1RE RecipesAppendix B: f\.1RE ContentsAppendix C: Supply ListAppendix D: Glossary

Copyright © 1995, by Francis Q. HoangPermission to copy this material for non-commercial distribution is given.The Long Gray Line © 1989 by Rick Atkinson

INTRODUCTION

This journal traces the experiences of a newly commissioned Second Lieutenant experiencing Ranger School in the summer of 1995, merely a weekafter Graduation and before OBC. Iwrote it out of a desire to help future .Ranger Students and as a way of repaying fellow Lieutenants for their supportand encouragement during the toughest two months of my life.

Ranger School is the Army's most difficult course. "The Ranger Coursedevelops the leadership skills of selected officers and enlisted men by requiringthem to perform effectively as small unit leaders in a tactically realisticenvironment, under mental and physical stress approaching that found incombat ... Fatigue, hunger, the necessity for quick, sound decisions, and therequirement for demonstrating calm forceful leadership under conditions ofmental and emotional stress are all contained in he Ranger Course. Thephysical condition of the Ranger student at times approaches exhaustion."Graduates are awarded the Ranger Tab, also known as the "Coveted Black andGold."

This journal is part guidebook and part storybook. To fight off sleep andpass time, I kept a journal during Ranger School. In this journal, I kept recordsof major events, do's and don'ts, as well as memorable moments. From theserecords. Iwrote this journal.

For all Ranger Students-to-be reading this, I hope you find something thatwill help you as you undertake a unique challenge. I do not claim to have theanswers or the approved solution ... the notes I wrote were merely what I foundworked for me as I struggled to pass each phase and earn the Tab. Every leaderis different; every situation is unique. My solutions may not be the best ones orappropriate for everyone. Take from this journal what you want.

Ranger School has a way of making each person face their individualweaknesses -- whatever they may be. For those who have the desire and thedetermination, Ranger School provides the opportunity to learn about one'slimits, character, and leadership abilities. The most important thing aboutRanger School is not the Tab, but earning the right to wear it. Good Luck.

PRE RANGER TRAINING

MAJOR EVENTSNone.

COMMENTSMAJ Goudreau, the Military Police Branch Rep at USMA, notified me that Ihad a Ranger School slot on May 11, 1995. I had approximately one monthuntil Ranger School started, minus Graduation Week, which gave me aboutthree weeks to prepare. I would not be able to attend Zero Week since it startedthe day after Graduation.

My training consisted of little more than cramming as much running, roadmarching, swimming, and common task training as I could in three weeks. Bythe end of the three weeks, I had run 50 miles, road marched 75 miles, andspent nearly 10 hours in the pool. My common task training consisted ofscrounging the required weapons and equipment and spending countless hourswith FM's learning fundamentals.

Journal Entry, 10 May 1995 (R-Day -33)

I found out today that I can have a slot for Ranger School this summer.Yippee! The only catch is it starts 12 June, just a little over a month away.Well, good training is good training -- I can't pass up this opportunity. I tookthe slot.

John Brennan, myoid Ranger Buddy from the 'Ner, has taken on the roleof my trainer. It seems that preparing me for Ranger school is a class project ...I have people coming out of the woodwork offering to help me. I'll need it.I went for a 5 mile run today in 36:30. That meets the Ranger Standardbut I'll have to speed it up. I weighed myself in at 143 pounds -- I'll have toput on some more pounds, too, before Ranger School begins. I got 7 hours ofsleep tonight. Thank goodness ... I needed it. I ate 4 meals.

Journal Entry, 12 May 1995 (R-Day -31)

I woke up at 0520 and went for a little swim. Boy, did I look pitiful. I hada hard enough time getting from one side of the pool to the other. Bobbing andtraveling made me look like an extra off the set of Baywatch -- one of theextras whom the lifeguards save. I'll definitely need more pool time. TheRanger Swim Test consists of a 15m swim with equipment, a 10m drop andswim, and equipment removal. I've done it all before in Rock Swimming, soit's just a matter of training myself up to the standard again. No problem.

This afternoon I went for a little run up the ski slope where John reviewedLand Nav basics. I started reading through FM 7-70. I got 6 hours of sleeptonight and ate 5 meals.

RANGER ASSESSMENT PHASE DAY 1 12 JUN 95Meals: 1 Ran 2 miles

MAJOR EVENTS Inprocessed at 0700. I arrived in my own POV, parked it in a lot, and took' my

bags to Camp Rogers. I joined a formation of Ranger Students who were waiting to be picked up by Ranger Instructors (Rl's), .

APFf. After the RI's picked us up, we took the Army Physical Fitness Test. The RI's took those who failed immediately to Gulag.

Combat Water Survival Test (CWST). We bused to a pool, where a bunch of yelling and screaming RI's led us through the CWST. The first event was a 15 meter swim in BDU's with boots, rifle, and an LCE (wI empty mag pouches and filled canteens). We had to swim the distance without showing undue fear and the rifle could be carried beneath the surface. The second event was to Jump off a 10 meter board with equipment (same as above), recover any lost equipment and swim to the side. The RI's took our BDU caps and placed them backwards on our heads with earflaps down to blindfold us. The final event was to jump into the pool, drop rifle and LBE, and surface. The equipment was attached to me by a line so I didn't have to recover it. After each event, we had to report to an RI and recite a memorized phrase -- any mistakes resulted in pushups, sit-ups, flutterkicks, etc.

Unpacking. We then returned to Camp Rogers, where we held a mass formation, dumped all our belongings and repacked them. Mistakes and failure to follow the RI's instructions resulted in mass punishment. Thus, this process took several hours before we moved into barracks. We spent the rest of the day and night standing around (literally) or being smoked.

COMMENTS Show up with your head completely shaved. Even high and tights are considered

too long. Report in as early as you can. If possible, attend Zero Week -- you'll get the PT

Test out of the way, familiarize yourself on the Land Nav course, and see the five mile course. If you can't attend Zero Week, report as early as possible on the report date. You won't wait around as long.

Do pushups and sit-ups in perfect form. The RI's care about quality, not quantity or speed. They will stop you when reach the minimum, so concentrate on doing them right, not fast. If you start off blazing off reps, the RI's won't count them.

Don't run all out on the 2 mile. You just have to pass and you won't impress anyone by your speed. Don't waste energy that you will need later.

On the CWST, wear jungle books, black dress socks, and summer BDU's. This will make you much lighter in the water.

RANGER ASSESSMENT PHASE DAY 2 13 JUN 95

Meals: 2 Sleep: 1 hr 30 min Ran 6 miles

MAJOR EVENTS Five mile 11m. We woke up bright and early for this. We ran in companies and

stayed on our pace of 8 min/mile +/- 15 seconds. The course was somewhat hilly and took a number of turns.

CIF. In the middle of the morning, we ran in BDUs 1 mile down the road to the CIF Building. After picking up our TA-50 we marched back to Camp Rogers.

Inoculation. At the medical building, we received massive shots in the butt. Land Nav classes. The Rl' s led us through some basic Land Nav classes, with a

strong emphasis on the peculiarities of the terrain and roads in this area. CQC. In the evening, we endured 3 hours of Hand to Hand in the CQC Pit.

COMMENTS To avoid unnecessary attention, be loud when talking to Rl's, don't highlight

yourself in any way, and avoid eye contact with the RI' sunless they are talking to you. Staring down an RI is a good way to get "special treatment. "

Drink lots of water and be sure to eat the salt out of your MREs. Dehydration is not a pleasant experience.

Whenever given the opportunity to do anything (get water, eat, repack, use the latrine), take advantage of it, even if you don't think you need to. You don't know when the next opportunity will arise.

The shot will make you butt sore for a while. Rubbing helps, but be prepared for a lot of standing up.

Bring all your necessary paperwork (to include 10 copies of orders). It will save you a lot of hassle. Double-check your orders before arriving to insure you have all the correct forms.

RANGER ASSESSMENT PHASE DAY 3 14 JUN 95Meals: 1 Sleep: 1 hr Marched 3 miles

MAJOR EVENTS Land Navigation Test. We woke up at Oh-Dark Thirty for a combination day/night

test that required us to find 5 out of 6 points in 4 112 hours. The points are marked by orange and white markers and most have trails leading to and from them.

Ranger Demonstration. We then marched out to Victory Pound where the RI's gave us a demonstration of Ranger skills ranging from CQC to rappelling to demolitions. Pretty Cool.

Water Confidence Test (WCT). After the Ranger Demo, we took the WCT. The first event was the Beam Walk -- a flattened log 35 feet above the water that shakes from side to side even when you're not walking. At the end of the beam walk, Iclimbed out onto a rope hanging above the water. On an RI's signal, I took a nice 35 foot (it seemed like 80 foot) rope drop into Victory Pond. After climbing out, I worked my way up an 80 foot tower for the suspension traverse -- Islid down a line strung across the pond using a pulley, letting go when an RI signaled me with two flags.

CQC. After marching back to Camp Rogers, we had another 3 hours of Hand to Hand in the CQC Pit.

COMMENTS On the Land Nav course, use the roads, but keep a pace count. There are a lot of

roads on the course that are not on the map and it's easy to take a wrong turn. Make sure that the turn you take is the one you want by checking your pace.

On the Beam Walk, the log will shake quite a bit. Go first, if possible. On the Rope Drop, pop off when speaking to the RI's -- they won't keep you up

as long. If you graduated from West Point, then make sure you know the "Definition of

Leather" before you go -- RI' s know that you are supposed to know it and will ask you recite it at the most awkward times.

In the CQC pit, the RI' s will have you run around the edge of the pit at times. To avoid being the target of unnecessary attention, pop off as you run, run with a partner, and stay in the middle of the pack.

If you go in the summer, the sun may bum your newly shaved scalp. Bring sunblock.

Mornings are very rushed. If your feet need it, moleskin before you go to bed each night.

RANGER ASSESSMENT PHASE DAY 4 15 JUN 95Meals: 2 Sleep: 2 hr Ran 3 miles

MAJOR EVENTS Land Navigation Retest. For those lucky enough, there was a second chance to

excel on the Land Nav course this morning. While everyone else got a little extra sleep and a hot meal, I went and proved my worth on the Land Nav course. The retest was held on the same course, but I was assigned a different lane.

Ranger Stakes. In the vicinity of the Land Nav course, we went through Ranger Stakes -- a series of GOINO GO tests on 12 different tasks that we were supposedly qualified on before arriving at Ranger School. The RI's told us we had to get a GO on at least 8. We had two chances at getting a GO for each task. Ranger Stakes took most of the morning and afternoon.

Malvesti Smoke Session. Although not an official training event, Ithought this was significant enough to mention. Right after dinnertime (not that we had much time to eat dinner), the RI's took us out to Malvesti Field and smoked us for I 1/2 hours. We did several hundred pushups, fiutterkicks, mountain-climbers and jumping jacks.

Malvesti Run. Immediately following the above smoke session, we went on the Malvesti Run -- a 3 mile run at a 7:00-7:30 minute/mile pace.

Malvesti Obstacle Course. Once we finished the run, we broke up into squads and went through the Malvesti Obstacle Course. This consisted of a pull-up bar (we had to do 6), followed by the Worm Pit -- a long trough filled with mud that was covered by barb wire. There was just enough room to get on our faces and crawl through it -- if anyone poked their head up, they probably got a nasty cut from the wire. After the Worm Pit, we had to traverse a series of monkey bars hanging over a deeper mud pit -- all the more difficult since you and the bars are covered in mud. Following the bars, we had to climb up a tall wooden ladder with rungs just far enough that we had to let go of one rung to reach for the next one -- again, everything on this tall obstacle was coated with mud. The final obstacle called us to climb up a cargo net and then slide down a rope hand over hand. We then returned to the barracks and were washed off with fire hoses.

COMMENTS There is some really wicked vegetation around Benning. When on the Land Nav

course, try to use deer trails or trails made by your fellow Rangers, rather than breaking through brush yourself. It'll save you a lot of grief.

Bring Neosporin for your cuts and Lanolin for your hands. They will take a beating.

You don't gel nearly as hungry if you snack throughout the day, rather than eating your entire MRE at once.

RANGER ASSESSMENT PHASE DAY 5 16 JUN 95

Meals: 2 Sleep: Ihr Moved 12 miles

MAJOR EVENTS Forced Road March. We woke up very early, for a 12 mile forced road march at

15 minute/mile (all on asphalt roads), with 45 pound rucksacks. There were short waterbreaks at the 2, 4, and 8 mile marks. Anyone who ran or fell more than an armslength behind the man in front of them was sent to the rear of the platoon formation. If one ran or fell more than an armslength behind the formation, the Rl's told the person they were a fallout.

Warning Order/OPORD Classes. After a hot breakfast, went to an outdoors classroom where we all proceeded to fall asleep during classes on Troop Leading Procedures, Warning Orders, and OPORDs.

CQC. That night, we had our last session of hand to hand fighting. We proceeded to kick, punch, and throw even though almost everyone looked and felt like a zombie.

COMMENTS Get as close to the front of the formation as possible for the road march. The

closer you are to the front, the more consistent the pace will be because the back suffers from the "accordion" affect as people drop out.

Never run on the road march, just learn to really step off and take large steps. Move out and yell in the CQC pit to keep the Rl's off you. Also, put some pep in

your punches and kicks to your partner, otherwise an RI will come and show you (using your body as an example), how to really kick and punch.

Rl's seem to like it when you are loud and motivated when you talk to them -- pretend you're a plebe again.

RANGER ASSESSMENT PHASE DAY 6 17 JUN 95Meals: 2 Sleep: 2 hr, 30 min

MAJOR EVENTS Demo Class. We did a short march to a training area where we received training

on demolitions and were taught how to build a marking charge. Each buddy team then buill and designated a small charge.

Squad Combat Technique Classes. We spent the rest of the day in classes on . Squad Movement, Squad Battle Drills, Departing/Reentering Forward Friendly Lines, and Crossing Danger Areas.

Airborne Prep. That night, Airborne Personnel were issued Airborne Equipment and went through basic prep for the next day's jump.

Squad Assignments. We were assigned to our squads for the Darby Phase of training and set about packing our gear and cleaning the barracks.

COMMENTS Cockroaches are big at Benning. Show them the proper respect. Also, don't leave

open food out or you will find insect friends where you don't want them. Being a Leg is actually better than being Airborne Qualified at Ranger School. You

don't have to risk getting injured on a jump and while the Airborne Rangers jump, you pull Landing Zone Security (read: rack).

Don't lose equipment. Losing equipment is a quick and easy way to draw attention and to get spot reports. Keep accountability of everything and don't let anything (including your Ranger Handbook), get more than an armslength from you unless a guard has been posted.

DARBY PHASE DAY 1 (7) 18 JUN 95Meals: 2 Sleep: 3 hr

MAJOR EVENTS Airborne Drop. All the Airborne qualified personnel loaded onto C-130s and

jumped out of a perfectly good plane. No injuries, although we did have one mid-air collision.

Landing Zone Security. All the "dirty, nasty legs" pulled Landing Zone security. Basically, the legs waited for hours until all the Airborne Ranger students hit the ground and found their company. (Translation: rack).

Movement to Darby. After companies reformed, everyone loaded onto cattle trucks (normal capacity: 20, Ranger capacity: 50+), and trucked 14 miles to Camp Darby. Consisting of little more than small shacks and some Quonset huts, Darby marked the beginning of our patrol training.

Classes: Squad Recon. Upon arriving at Camp Darby, we broke into companies and received our first block of instruction on how to conduct Squad Recons.

COMMENTS A lot of raspberries can be found around Darby -- however, if an RI catches you

eating one, you could get an SOR.

DARBY PHASE DAY 2 (8) 19 JUN 95Meals: 2 Sleep: 4 hr Marched 3500m

MAJOR EVENTS RI Led Squad Patrol. We split up into squads, and each squad went to its own

"Squad Bay" -- a wooden shack that served as the planning area for each squad. An RI went to each squad and walked it through the planning bay process. We received the warning order, conducted inspection, planned, received the OPORD, and did all our checks before moving out. The RI led my squad on a short recon patrol that went through a small swamp. We started planning early in the morning and didn't return from our patrol until midnight. During this phase, we slept in the open outside the company shack at Camp Darby.

COMMENTS Know what to do if you get lost ("The Lost Ranger Policy") and use it if you get

separated . Have everyone set their alarms to get up in the morning. Don't rely on fireguards

or one individual to wake everyone up.

"Hey, where did everyone go?"

"Where the hell did everyone go?" asked my fellow Ranger. We sat alone, two confused Rangers, in the middle of the dark with no idea where the rest of our squad was.

Moments earlier, we had been placed at the rear of our squad's position with the M60. The squadleader for this mission, our RI, had told us to stay still and stay awake. It was pitch black -- we couldn't see our hands if we put them in front of our faces. The RI had gone off to search for the passage point back to Camp. Meanwhile, my fellow Ranger and I waited.

Suddenly, we heard movement, however no one said anything. Normally, when our squad moves, someone whispers, "Moving" or our squadleader came back to tell us that we were moving out. After several minutes, we realized that the squad had moved out.

"We should follow them," my fellow Ranger said."Do you know which way they went?" I asked."Not exactly," he replied. The squad was headed towards the passage point-

- the location of which we did not know."Well, it's probably better if we stay put. They'll realize that we're not with them

soon enough and come back for us." Soon enough, our RI returned, the illumination tape on his walking stick moving like a firefly through the woods. He was not a happy man. Soon, we rejoined our squad.

We both received a Major Minus.


MAJOR EVENTS Student Led Squad Patrol (Nongraded). A nongraded opportunity for students to

practice their patrolling skills. A real mess.

COMMENTS

DARBY PHASE DAY 4 (10) 21 JUN 95Meals: 2 Sleep: 4 hr 30 min Marched 5000m

MAJOR EVENTS Student Led Squad Patrol (Graded). This was the first day of graded squad

patrols. All of the patrols for the next three days were squad recons. The RI's assigned the M-60 Gunner, AG, and RTO to make sure the positions were rotated among squad members. After every patrol, the RI assigned to our squad (who as different every day), counseled the student leader on how they had performed

COMMENTS Do what you're told. Dealing with food is all mental-- you really don't need as much food as you think,

you aren't really as hungry as you feel, and the less you think about it, the better you are. Be hard.

Don't eat your entire fvfRE at once. Divide it up and eat it throughout the day. You'11 have more energy and be less hungry.

When you do eat, take small bites and drink lots of water with each bite. This will make you feel more full and help you hydrate.

Eat the salt. It helps keeps your body's chemistry in sync and will help you stay hydrated.

DARBY PHASE DAY 5 (11) 22 JUN 95Meals: 2 Sleep: 4 hr 30 min Marched 5500m

MAJOR EVENTS Student Led Squad Patrol (Graded). This was the second day of graded squad

patrols.

COMMENTS When a leader, lead. When a follower, follow. Be decisive as a leader. Dealing with sleep is also mental. You are not as tired as you feel, but are

probably more tired than you think. Tell yourself it's no big deal. You are as tired and hungry as you think you are.

One way of dealing with sleep and food deprivation is to detach yourself and look at it as merely an "interesting" experience. Keep a good sense of humor about it.

Sleepwalking

Ranger students live, breath, and sleep Ranger School. Even asleep, students sometimes acted in strange ways. More than once, students wandered off, only to wake up later wondering where they had been or what they had done.

While asleep in the barracks one night, two of my fellow Rangers climbed out of their bunks and staggered to their lockers. Somehow, they managed to open their ockers, get dressed, and were in the process of putting on their LBE when they suddenly woke up. They looked at each other, looked at their watches, and wondered how they had gotten dressed.

Another of my classmates was at a friend's house during an eight hour break when he fell asleep on the sofa. Suddenly, he stood up, still asleep, and started walking around the house with one arm out, holding an imaginary compass. He "took point" around his friend's home for a few minutes before waking up.

I had my own share of antics. One night, my Ranger Buddy came to wake me up for my guard shift, but I wasn't in my bed. He looked around the barracks and finally found me asleep in another bed on the other side of the bay. He shook me awake and told me to get back to my bunk and prepare for my shift. He returned to his bunk and waited for me. When I didn't show up, he went looking for me once again. He found me stumbling around on the other side of the barracks, going from locker to locker trying each one. I was no where near where my locker was. Shaking his head, he put me back in my bed.

I don't remember any of this. Even when he told me the next morning, all Irecalled was a pleasant night's sleep.

DARBY PHASE DAY 6 (12) 23 JUN 95

Meals: 2 Sleep: 4 hr 30 min Marched 5000m

MAJOR EVENTS Student Led Patrol (Graded). This was the third day of graded squad patrols.

COMMENTS• Keep your cool.

My First GO

We sat in woodline next to the PZ. Off in the distance we could hear Blackhawks approaching. My squad was tired, but it was the final day of graded Squad Patrols. The Rl walked up to me.

"Hoang, you're the new squadleader. Change Command before the birds arrive," he said. I sprung into action, doing a quick change of command and telling my teamleaders the plan once we set down in our LZ.

The birds came down like giant black dragonflies. I led my squad as we ran to the open door of the lead helicopter. "Go, go!" I threw my pack-down and jumped in. After a short flight, we set down in the LZ, executing the same drill in reverse. We threw our rucksacks out, jumped down, grabbed a pack, and ran in the direction of the Objective.

After breaking into the woodline, we moved a few hundred more meters, then stopped for a Security Halt. Listening for sounds of enemy activity, we paused. Nothing. We continued to move forward, skirting around the edge of a huge clearing we encountered.

As we moved across the side of a small gully, automatic weapon fire erupted from the trees to our left. Smoothly, my squad took cover behind trees and started returning fire. I barked orders as quick as I could.

"Alpha team, lay down fire. Bravo team prepare to move forward, 50 meters, 12 O'clock." My squad threw multiple smoke grenades which suddenly erupted into rainbow clouds of smoke. The M60 opened up with thunder. We moved on, breaking contact.Almost a kilometer later, after crossing several creeks and roads, we rounded the hill which was our objective and stopped to recon a good ORP. As the squad waited, I took a small group of Rangers to clear the ORP. We inched up the side of the hill which our objective, an enemy encampment, sat on. My team cleared the ORP and we returned to where the squad waited. The RI appointed a new squadleader.

That night, after we returned from the mission successfully, I met with theRI.

"I can't tell you if you have a GO, but I am recommending you to go on to the Mountains. Take that for what it's worth."

DARBY PHASE DAY 7 (13) 24 JUN 95Meals: 2 Sleep: 5 hr 30 min

MAJOR EVENTS Darby Queen. Our first Saturday at Darby began with the Darby Queen -- a'

series of 26 obstacles spread over I 112 miles of hillside. It resembled every other obstacle course in the Army, but the obstacles seemed to be on steroids. Everything seemed just a little bigger and taller. We went through the Queen in buddy teams and cooperation is required on certain obstacles. We ran from obstacle to obstacle and while waiting to climb, jump, or crawl the next obstacle, RI's yelled at us and made us do pushups, jumping jacks, and flutter kicks. Every obstacle which a student failed to negotiate resulted in a minor spot report -- if someone failed three obstacles, they failed the whole Darby Queen. Only two obstacles, the Dirty Name and the Tarzan, gave students real trouble, The Dirty Name required us to jump from one log to another one higher than the first and just out of arms reach. A lot of people had their manhood bruised. The Tarzan consisted of a series of monkey bars that were too big to wrap our hands around, so we had to hook our whole hand over each rung and hope our wrists didn't give out. The whole thing took over an hour .

Survival Day. After a quick wash under some garden hoses, we took our gear to the Survival Training class. RI's gave us a series of classes on traps and snaps, edible plants and animals, survival shelters, improvised weapons, and how to cook in the wild. The RI' s also showed us how to calm and kill chickens and rabbits -- a class which included a live demo. At the end of the day, each squad was given two thawed chickens, a bucket of vegetables, and ammo cans. We cooked our own dinners and made improvised weapons -- the squad which made the best weapon got extra chow.

COMMENTS On the Dirty Name, go to the right-side obstacle, and don't touch the side or the

rope until you go over the top log . For the Survival Day meal, boil the chicken then throw in the vegetables to make

broth. There will be more food to go around this way.

DARBY PHASE DAY 8 (14) 25 JUN 95Meals: 2 Sleep: 5 hr

MAJOR EVENTS Classes: Platoon Movement and Battle Drills. This entire day consisted of classes

on platoon operations -- duties and responsibilities, ambushes, movement, etc. First the Rl's would explain a concept, procedure, or drill. Then we would go outside and rehearse it in platoons. Finally, we would run through the whole thing at full speed without any RI guidance. Classes were dry -- we had Rangers literally dropping out of their seats as they fell asleep.

COMMENTS To stay awake, stand up. Keep a journal or write lots of letters in your down time to pass the time. Don't let others' bad attitude infect you. Stay positive.

Droning

Ranger students use the term "droning" to describe someone who has reached a point of exhaustion, delusion, or both. The intense physical demands of patrol operation combined with continuous operations make it easy to "drone."

Students droned at Darby, most noticeably during classes. The warm room and dry presentation virtually guaranteed unconsciousness within minutes. To fight off the "Z Monster," students stood, did pushups, or came up with interesting games to stay awake. A few members of my squad made a rule among themselves: if they saw anyone sleeping, they were allowed to punch them as hard as they wanted. The first punch was normally a love tap, but the following punches normally came harder and harder. One poor fellow who couldn't stay awake no matter how many times he was hit, ended up being almost knocked out by a KO punch from a fellow student.


MAJOR EVENTS Classes: Platoon Warning Order and OPORD. The last of our platoon operations

training, today we went over the process of planning a platoon mission. We once again used the crawl, walk, run method.

COMMENTS If it rains, and the RI' s let you, sleep in the squad bay. You never know how much time you have, so establish a priority of work for

yourself. My first priority was to help my fellow Rangers. My second priority was care of equipment: cleaning my weapon at every opportunity, filling my canteens, checking my tiedowns, cleaning my TA-50. My next priority was Hygiene : cleaning my cuts, changing socks and powdering feet at least once per day, checking myself for ticks, putting lotion on my hands, brushing my teeth, and taking a Wetwipe to my face, underarms, etc. My last priority was personal items: writing in my journal, writing letters, eating, sleeping.

When assuming command, make sure the equipment being handed off to you is squared away -- especially night vision and commo.

Whenever in a leadership position (especially PL and SL), have your compass and map out, constantly check the pointman' s azimuth, and pinpoint your location.

When moving in long Ranger files at night, get head and pace counts every 200 meters.


MAJOR EVENTS Student Led Platoon Patrol (Non-Graded). Today was the first of two days of

non-graded platoon patrols, an ambush.

COMMENTS When passing obstacles at night, pull a Security Halt once you've cleared it and

wait for an "up" from the rear before proceeding. A lot of break- incontacts occur around obstacles.

Ensure that all key leaders have commo and working night vision when moving at night.

RI's get lost too -- don't be afraid to disagree with them if you're the PL and you know where you're at.

Disaster at Dawn

Darkness had already settled, and the entire platoon sat on a road when I heard my name called out as the new Platoon Leader. A hundred thoughts races through my mind -- this was the first night we had to move as a platoon, and I had never had to lead a patrol at night before. Nervously, I plotted a route with my pointman and we broke through the treeline.

We stayed on our azimuth for 1700 meters, then crossed our last trail before the FFL. Something was wrong, though. The terrain did not match the map. We were too far west to be on our correct azimuth. I hadn't noticed it until then and had allowed the pointman to drift way off course. I halted the patrol.

Five minutes and several map checks later, I still couldn't pin point our location. "He doesn't know where the hell he is," one of the RI's said out loud. The RI's told me to take the patrol into the dry streambed up ahead and pointed out our location on a map. I calculated the distance we had to travel before we reached our passage point.

As we headed into the streambed, the RI' s began to argue among themselves as to where we were. My pointman's NODS suddenly went bad, though I didn't know it at the time. Somewhere, in my confusion, we marched pass our passage point. Heading up a hill, we crossed several rows of barb wire and scaled some steep slopes. Rangers, scrambling up the hill in the darkness, literally clotheslined themselves against barbwire strung at ankle, knee, chest, and neck level. Angry and bleeding Ranger students cursed my name in tones just loud enough for me to hear.

When we finally reentered Camp, my fellow student, bleeding and exhausted, glared at me. "Goddamn, Second Lieutenant," someone muttered.

The worst thing to do at Ranger School is to fail your fellow students.


MAJOR EVENTS Student Led Platoon Patrol (Non-Graded). Today was the second of two days of

non-graded platoon patrols, another ambush.

COMMENTS


MAJOR EVENTS Student Led Platoon Patrol (Graded). Today was the first of two days of graded

platoon patrols, an ambush. The leadership positions that the RI's evaluated during a platoon patrol were Platoon Leader, Platoon Sergeant, 3 Squadleaders, and Weapons Squad Leader. Squadleaders and the Weapons Squad Leader were 24 hour positions while the Platoon Leader and Platoon Sergeant changed once, sometimes twice, over the course of a day.

COMMENTS Communication is key: use your commo gear. Stop for map checks when you get disoriented. Don't be afraid to get help from

fellow students. Stay oriented. Adjust your formation as M-TETI dictates. Night travel normally calls for a long

Ranger file. Handle danger areas the same way at night as you would during the day. For a night movement, PL should be third man from the front of the formation,

behind the pointman and paceman, while the PSG should be at the rear of the formation with commo to pick up stragglers. Communication between_PL and PSG is very important.


MAJOR EVENTS Student Led Platoon Patrol (Graded). Today was the second of two days of

graded platoon patrols, an ambush. Our last patrol at Darby.

COMMENTS Be motivated, be loud. Think ahead. As a leader, encourage, motivate, and inspire.

The Pig

Rangers students affectionately call the M60 Machine Gun the "Pig." It's a love-hate relationship. Students love to fire the Pig, but hate to carry it. With the additional ammunition and cleaning supplies, the Pig is one of the heaviest loads a student will carry during Ranger School.

On patrol during Darby, Ihad the distinct pleasure of carrying the M60. Our RI was a big man -- the kind of man who looked like he used concrete for chewing gum, flossed with barb wire, ate napalm, and pissed fire. Not only was he big, but he took big strides. To top it off, he had a special liking for artillery simulators.

Our platoon came under attack and when we didn't react fast enough, the RI threw an artillery simulator. We heard the distinct high whistle which sounded like incoming rounds.

"Incoming!" we yelled.Everyone hit the dirt as the simulator exploded. "Twelve O'clock, 300 metersl"

screamed the platoon leader. Ipicked up my Pig and with AG and Ammo Bearer in tow, took off sprinting. Several hundred meters later, myself and another M60 crew broke into a small clearing of trees. We hunkered down, establishing a small perimeter. The rest of the platoon came one by one, some walking.

The RI was not pleased. We knew this because he grabbed another artillery simulator off his belt and tossed it. We ran another 300 meters. He threw another simulator.

This cycle repeated itself for almost 2 kilometers.I ran. I crawled. I got really upset with life, the universe, and everything. And

throughout it all, the Pig hung around my neck, cradled in my arms. Like I said, it's a love/hale relationship. On this particular day, 1 loved to hate it.

DARBY PHASE DAY 14 (20) 1 JUL95Meals: 2 Sleep: 0 hr

MAJOR EVENTS Equipment Cleaning. We spent the rest of the night preparing to leave Darby.

We cleaned all our weapons and equipment and turned in all the heavy weapons and platoon items.

Peers. Next, each squad did peer evaluations. We had to rank order all the students in our squad from best to worst. Based upon the rankings received, each student got a peer rating from 0-100. We had to have at least 60% or else we were "peered." Ranger students who were "peered" were automatically moved to another company and were more likely to be kicked out for other deficiencies. If a student was "peered" twice, they were dropped.

Course Critiques. After peer evaluations, we wrote AARs on Camp Darby. Most people had illegible scrawls on their sheets -- writing was a major effort due to exhaustion.

Counseling. Each student was then counseled on their performance during Darby, to include spot reports, peer ratings, and patrol competence.

Boards. Those students in danger of being recycled or dropped were notified and had to appear before the Ranger Company Commander for counseling and a "board." Common causes for boards: low peers, failed patrols, failed critical tasks, or a combination of these. They were told at the board whether they would move on, recycle, or be dropped.

DOGEX. Rl' s held a Dog Exercise the next morning -- they sold us sodas, hot dogs, and dessert cakes until we were about to burst.

Movement to Camp Rogers. We boarded buses for the movement back to Rogers. Upon arrival, the students who weren't going on to the Mountain Phase were moved to a separate formation.

End of Cycle Break. After the Mountain RI' s took charge of us, they released us for an eight hour break starting at 1600.

COMMENTS For your break, it is best if someone can pick you up. You waste less time and

money than getting a taxi. The best thing you can do during your break is do laundry, go to Ranger Joes, get

a haircut, eat, and sleep. When eating, be careful not to overstuff yourself. Stick to healthy, starchy foods

like pasta. You digestive system won't be able to handle sweets, junk food, or greasy fast food and you'll get sick.

MOUNTAIN PHASE DAY 1 (21) 2JUL 95Meals: 3 Sleep: 3 hr 30 min

MAJOR EVENTS Movement to Dahlonega. After returning from our break, we boarded buses for

Camp Merrill at Dahlonega, Georgia. The 3 112 hour ride took us to the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.

Inprocessing. Once we arrived at Camp Merrill, which was mocked up to look like a Guerrilla Camp complete with gate guards, we Inprocessed, moved into our barracks (luxurious by Ranger standards), had our bags checked for contraband, got a Medical Considerations Class, and received an in-brief by the Battalion Commander. Recycles from the last class joined our companies.

Lower Mountaineering Training. After Inprocessing, we moved down to the "Lowers," a valley located near Camp, where we did Knot Corral and Belay Test training. This would be the first of three days of Lowers training. The first five days at Camp Dahlonega are called "Mountaineering" and are divided into three days at "Lower Mountaineering" and two days at "Upper Mountaineering." During Mountaineering, we lived in barracks, ate three meals a day (two hot meals in a mess hall, one lvlRE), and got at least 4 hours of sleep a night. We even had a little time to ourselves most days.

COMMENTS For your rucksack, buy all the padding you can (shoulder and kidney pads), put

them on and tape them down. They make your ruck more comfortable. The only drawback is that when wet, all your pads weigh an additional 12 pounds. We really weighed this!

Waterproof everything.

MOUNTAIN PHASE DAY 2 (22) 3 JUL 95Meals: 3 Sleep: 4 hr

MAJOR EVENTS Lower Mountaineering Training. This was the second day of Lowers training.

During a round-robin, we went through a number of classes. We did more training on knots and belaying. We also performed a number of basic rappels on a 30 foot wall and 60 foot cliff: walk, bounding, and equipment. We had classes on fixed rope installation, Australian rappels, and rope bridges.

COMMENTS Watch for cellulitis -- it's an infection of the body where you basically start to rot

alive. On your hands, the first sign is when your skin peels back from your fingernails. On your legs, the flesh becomes cold and loses its elasticity. On your toes, your flesh becomes pus-like. Taking time for personal hygiene, wearing gloves and knee pads, will help prevent cellulites

Volunteer for details. Most of the time, everyone ends up doing work anyway and you help out the chain of command when you do so.

The key to knots is taking your time and doing it right. Dress your knots properly and tighten every strand.

The key to the belay test is simply not spazzing. Whenever you're doing hands-on training during Round Robin training,

volunteer to be on the work/demo team, even if you don't know what you're doing. You '11learn more that way.

RI's give out spot reports for improperly hook-ups, rappels, or safety violations, so pay attention.

Good posture while sitting actually helps you stay awake during classes.

MOUNTAIN PHASE DAY 3 (23) 4 JUL 95Meals: 3 Sleep: 5 hr 30 min

MAJOR EVENTS Lower Mountaineering Training. This was the last day of Lowers training .. We

took a number of tests, performed buddy and equipment rappels on the 60 foot cliff, and constructed A Frames. There was a lot of down time.

Knot Test. This test consisted of correctly tying 8 out of 12 knots, each within a certain time limit. Failure meant a retest later in the day. A second NO GO meant automatic recycle.

Belay Test. This test allowed the RI' s to evaluate each student's ability to correctly react to a falling climbing while belaying. Like the knot test, two failures meant a recycle.

Fall Test. For this test, students had to climb up a 30 foot wall and demonstrate the proper body position for a fall. A fellow student at the top of the wall belayed the falling climber (not exactly reassuring).

COMMENTS On the knot test, learn a technique and stick to it. Many people fail because they

don't have a set technique and do something different every time they attempt to tie a knot.

On the fall test, just keep your arms and legs extended straight out in front of you and you'll be fine. People get hurt when they try to stop their fall or grab the rope.

On the buddy rappel, lean forward since your buddy is strapped to your back. It will help keep your buddy's weight over your center of gravity.

Take your job as a safety seriously. Your Ranger Buddy depends on you and RI's hand out Major Minuses for errors.

Take time to get to know your fellow Rangers -- they are among the best and most motivated soldiers in their unit and have a lot of experience and knowledge.

MOUNTAIN PHASE DAY 4 (24) 5 JUL 95Meals: 3 Sleep: 6 hr 30 min Marched 3 miles

MAJOR EVENTS Yonah Road March. We woke up early and were bused out to the base of Mount

Yonah (45 minute ride), tallest mountain in Georgia at 3800 feet. We did a 3 mile road march up switchbacks to a spot near the top ofYonah – in 51 minutes and with 40 pound rucks.

Upper Mountaineering Training. After setting up GP Medium tents, we headed out to training sites for the first of two days of "Yonah." We performed a basic buddy climb, free climb, free and bounding rappels, as well as learned about anchor rope installation.

Yonah Skits. That night, each company put on a skit for the RI's. The winner got extra chow at breakfast the next morning. We slept in the open near the top of Yonah.

COMMENTS Avoid the blue lane on the basic buddy climb -- many people get a NO GO on

that lane because they can't mount the rock initially. Also avoid lanes 8 and 2 on the free climb -- they are more difficult than the other lanes.

Always double-check your seats and ties -- you get a Major Minus for any errors. The first mile of the Yonah Road March is a smoker, but once you hit the

switchbacks, it's all a gut check.

Step by Step

I didn't like road marching. I didn't like mountains. Combine the two, and you come up with something I really despised. Like all Ranger students, I came up with my own unique ways to overcome and service.

On the Yonah road march, I felt like my chest was a furnace and that my legs were Jell-O. I had to do something to get my mind off the pain and misery I was in.

I thought of John Brennan and our days of training at West Point. I told myself that I'd do the next 100 steps for him, and imagined what he would say to me if he were walking alongside me. After those 100 steps, I thought of Stephanie. Then Paul. Then Jeff. Then Devon. Then Paula. Then other friends. One friend and 100 steps at a time, I made my way up Mount Yonah. When I finally crested the top, and dropped my rucksack on the ground, I thanked God that I had a lot of good friends. They carried me up that mountain.

MOUNTAIN PHASE DAY 5 (25) 6 JUL 95Meals: 3 Sleep: 7 hr 30 min Marched 3 miles

MAJOR EVENTS Upper Mountaineering Training. Today was the second of two days of "Yonah."

We performed a direct aid climb (smoker), advanced buddy climb, and additional rappels.

Yonah Road March. We then did the Yonah Road March in reverse and came back done the mountain -- the RI's ran us part of the way until one student crashed, burned, and twisted his ankle.

Weapons and Equipment Issue. Upon returning to Camp Merrill, we drew heavy weapons and special equipment in preparation for Combat Techniques training.

G2ITerrain Briefing. After drawing supplies, we received an intelligence and terrain briefing concerning our upcoming combat operations in the area. We met our combat techniques instructors that night (one set of RI' s teach combat techniques, while another set teach mountaineering), We spent the rest of the night prepping equipment in the barracks.

COMMENTS When road marching downhill, take long strides and avoid running. On the advanced buddy climb, lane 2 is a good choice. On the direct aid climb, lane 5 is best. Brace with the leg opposite the one in the

harness and make sure your buddy helps you out. You'll understand this when you see it.

MOUNTAIN PHASE DAY 6 (26) 7 JUL 95Meals: 3 Sleep: 3 hr 30 min Marched 7900 m

MAJOR EVENTS Class: Terrain Association. Today was the first of four days of combat technique

(also called" 15") training. We learned about the peculiarities of terrain and land navigation in mountainous terrain.

Pace Course. Next, we did a 900 meter pace course to determine our pace count in various terrain.

Terrain Walk. After the pace course, we did a 7000 meter terrain walk to familiarize us with the terrain in which we would conduct patrols.

Class: Air Assault and Aerial Resupply. We learned about Air Assault operations, the procedures associated with airmobile operations and aerial resupplies.

Class: MEDEVAC Class. Medics taught us about lvIEDEV AC and showed us the helicopters and equipment used for extraction.

Class: Link-Up Operations. We spent a couple of hours learning about how to conduct a link-up during combat operations.

SOPs. We took the rest of the night to develop Standard Operating Procedures for our platoon. We spent the night in the barracks during 15 training.

COMMENTS The biggest thing which the RI' s will grade you on is your leadership ability.

There are five things they look for:-- Take Charge. Make sound, timely decisions when required.-- Give clear, specific instructions.-- Supervise. Use briefbacks and spot-checks.-- Set the example.-- Take the initiative.

MOUNTAIN PHASE DAY 7 (27) 8 JUL 95Meals: 3 Sleep: 4 hr Marched 1650 m

MAJOR EVENTS Classes: Combat Techniques. This was the second day of 15 training. We learned

and practiced how to conduct a platoon raid. Next, we broke into squads and conducted recons under RI supervision in the woods near Camp Merrill. We spent the rest of the day learning about patrol base operations. We spent the evening working on SOPs.

COMMENTS

Lifeline to the Outside World

There are four things that keep a Ranger student going: graduation, food, sleep, and mail. Of these, mail is the most important. Thoughts of graduation give you a goal to aspire to and something to dream about, but such thoughts can also be maddening. Food and sleep give you energy and strength, but you never got enough to feel good. Mail, however, meant encouragement, support, and inspiration from friends. Mail, in other words, gave one hope ... the most powerful thing a Ranger student can have on their side.

I got more than my share of mail. Although most of them thought me insane for volunteering to go so soon, my West Point classmates showed tremendous support for me as I entered Ranger School. I was, in the words of one classmates, the "advance recon" for our class -- really advanced. My address at Ranger School was passed along to many classmates. Consequently, I averaged 10-15 letters and postcards at every mail call. Most of these came from close friends who wrote regularly, but some came from classmates who I hardly knew, but who, for some reason, took pity on me as I trudged from stage to stage.

Classmates sent me letters from every continent except Africa and Antarctica. From Korea to Australia to Moscow, I received encouragement and support. It helped ease the loneliness I felt and gave me the strength to keep going. I was truly lucky ... there were husbands who received less mail from their wives than I did from my friends.

The closing line from one of these letters read:"I don't know why the hell you're doing this, but I'm behind you all the way."I couldn't ask for beuer friends than that.


MAJOR EVENTS Classes: Combat Techniques. This was the third day of 15 training. We spent

most of the morning going over ambush technique and learned how to conduct squad point ambushes and platoon area ambushes. After some practical exercises, we headed out of Camp Merrill and conducted 2 raids. We returned afterwards, worked on SOPs, and slept in the barracks.

COMMENTS

Read Between the Lilies

There's a saying in the Mountain Phase: "The Rl's don't need to smoke you because the terrain will." Nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Dahlonega has been home to the Mountain Ranger Camp for many years. A more perfect location could not be found.

When I first came to Dahlonega, I marveled at the beautiful forests and rolling hills. In the back of my mind, however, was a disturbing thought: "I'm going to have to march through those forests and over those hills." I wondered just what the terrain would be like around Dahlonega.

During a briefing, I finally got my hand on a 1:50,000 map of the terrain over which we would patrol. Although the map was covered in contour lines and hills, I was actually relieved. The frequency and spacing of the lines indicated that the terrain wasn't any steeper or more difficult than the hills around West Point, which I was familiar with. The movements would be harder than at Benning, but not impossible.

Suddenly, I noticed something printed at the bottom of the map. Yes, the maps of West Point and Dahlonega had similar contour lines, but there was one glaring difference. The contour interval on the West Point map was 10 meters. The contour interval on the Dahlonega map was 40 meters.

I drooped my head. This was going to be a long phase.


MAJOR EVENTS Classes: Combat Techniques. This was the fourth and last day of 15 training. The

morning started ofIwith a review of squad recons. We then headed out to the woods to conduct point ambushes, perform a link-up, and set up two patrol bases. We returned to the barracks that night to finalize SOPs and prep for the 10 day FTX.

COMMENTS Over the course of Ranger School, I learned to keep certain items handy at all

times because I always used them:-- In my left BOU cargo pocket, I kept my Ranger Handbook (waterproofed),protractor, and journal.-- In my right BOU cargo pocket, I kept MRE toilet paper.-- In my left BOU shirt pocket, I kept my ID and meal cards.-- In my left ammo pouch on my LBE, I kept 2 magazines, a notepad, pen, and

laminated map.-- In my right ammo pouch on my LBE, I kept a barber's brush, AP brush, lighter, flashlight, knife, mirror, camo stick.-- In my canteen cover pouches, I kept iodine tablets.-- Somewhere on my LBE, I normally kept a roll of black electrical tape.

MOUNTAIN PHASE DAY 10 (30) 11 JUL 95Meals: 3 Sleep: 4 hr Marched 2800 In

MAJOR EVENTS FTX Day I. We trucked to the base of a massive ridge. After crawling our way

onto the ridge, we scaled the side of a small mountain, and set up a patrol base on one of the spurs. The only positive thing was that we received bread supplements to our MREs during this phase.

COMMENTS You'll do your best if you think of the FTX as real -- don't linger drill anything. Go in with the attitude that you came to learn, not to just earn the tab. The tab is

just something you sew on your uniform -- the knowledge and skills stay with you always.

As RTO, move out, call in all your spares, set up antennae properly, do frequent radio checks, and know your radio procedures. It's an easy way to earn a Major Plus.

When taking a field dump, use a log to keep from falling over. If people continue to fall asleep, have them take a knee, stand, or put a rucksack

on their back. All these things will help them stay awake. To make your camo appear best, put some Skin-Sa-Soft on first, apply the light

stick, then apply the dark stick.


MAJOR EVENTS FTX Day 2. We conducted squad recons and returned to Camp Merrill.

COMMENTS To waterproof your Ranger Handbook, cover the front and back with heavy tape,

ensuring that you fold the tape over the edges to strengthen the cover. Then, poke holes through the tape over the preexisting holes in the handbook. Tie 550 cord or place a metal ring through the holes. Keep the handbook in a heavy plastic bag when not in use.

Follow Mel

Our platoon trudged up the side of a long hill. It was dark and the only way I could follow the Ranger ahead of me was to fix my gaze on the glowing "cateyes" on the back of his patrol cap. Ahead of me I could see a long line of glowing cat eyes leading up the hillside.

As we moved, Rangers tripped over branches and vines they could not see in the darkness. Too tired to stop themselves, they just fell forward onto their weapons with a loud grunt. Slowly, they picked themselves up and continued.

I moved quietly in the darkness, concentrating my sight and hearing on the Ranger ahead of me. All of a sudden, my foot caught on a vine and I fell forward. My face went into a pile of grass as I landed on my rifle and felt theweight of my rucksack fall on me.

I scrambled to my feet, disoriented from the fall. How long had it taken meto get to my feet? I couldn't see the cat eyes ahead. I looked around nervously.Then, I saw it ... a line of lights moving along the hillside. I moved off quickly after the cat-eyes, returning to my place in the column of marching Ranger students.

Suddenly, I heard voices crying out: "Hoang! Hoang! Get back here! Wherethe hell are you going?" I turned around, and saw the dim silhouettes of my fellow Rangers students climbing the hill. I suddenly realized that I had been following a bunch of fireflies floating down the hillside. Sheepishly, I returned to the formation.

According to my fellow students, they heard me fall and my cat-eyes disappeared from sight. When my glowing cat-eyes reappeared, my classmateswatched them make a 90 degree turn away from the long line of cat –eyes moving uphill. They realized that I was "slightly disoriented" and yelled for me to return. Good thing they did so. Who knows where those fireflies were headed.


MAJOR EVENTS FTX Day 3. We held religious services, performed bay planning for raids, moved

back up the mountains, and established our patrol base.

COMMENTS

Tree Hugger

Continuous operations took their toll on everyone. Even the most physically fit and mentally alert Ranger reached their point of exhaustion. Once you reached it, no amount of chewing tobacco, cigarette smoking, or coffee packets would keep you awake. Eventually, you would start to "drone."

Ranger students droned while on patrol. Several times, during night movement, I saw a fellow Ranger standing off the side of the trail, apparently catatonic, weapon still in hand. I approached the Ranger and gave him a heavy shake. Suddenly, his eyes would open. He would look around in a daze, and start moving down the trail to catch up with his squad, which was already far ahead.

Ranger students also droned while in patrol bases. Rangers literally fell asleep on their feet. One moment they would be standing up, the next moment they would be stumbling forward, falling asleep. Most the time, they woke up before they fell over. This stutter step forward was called the "two-step drone." Sometimes, really tired Rangers just flopped forward as they fell asleep. I remember once a Ranger in my squad fell asleep on his feet, fell forward, and, waking up just before he hit the ground, screamed as his face hit the dirt.

In order to combat sleep, I picked up a unique habit. I hugged trees. In patrol bases, when I was really tired, I stood next to trees and put one or both arms around it. That way, if I fell asleep, I would catch myself before I hit the ground or the tree. It worked.


MAJOR EVENTS FTX Day 4. We conducted a raid and set up a new patrol base.

COMMENTS


MAJOR EVENTS FTX Day 5. We conducted a raid, then returned to Camp Merrill for refit.

COMMENTSHaliucillatiolls

The mind is a fragile thing. Deprive it of a little sleep, a little food, place some stress on it, and it starts to play tricks on you. Hallucinations among Ranger students were common, even as early as Darby.

During a patrol, I was the Assistant Gunner, pulling security in the ORP while the Squadleader was out on a recon. My Gunner and I were in position next to a large tree stump, looking out into the woods.

Suddenly, 50 meters in front me, I saw a corpse. An honest to goodness corpse of a man on his back, one arm across his chest, one leg still bent. I blinked twice, looked away, then looked back. The corpse was still there.

I tapped my Gunner on the shoulder. "Hey, I think there's a corpse in front of us about 50 meters. You see it?"

He squinted, looking out over the top of his M60. "Hoang, I think you're seeing things. All I see is a pile of logs."

I pointed out towards the corpse I saw. It was as clear as day, the sun was out, and I didn't feel sleepy. "I see a corpse. I swear. Right next to that fallen tree at 12 O'clock."

He looked at me with a strange face. "I think you're hallucinating. That's a pile of sticks."

I shrugged. For the next hour, I sat in position and looked into the woods. The corpse never went away.


MAJOR EVENTS ITX Day 6. We performed bay planning for ambushes, moved up a ridgeline,

ambushed a IDv1MWVpatrol, then received mass casualties.

COMMENTS


MAJOR EVENTS FTX Day 7. Moved to a new patrol base in the morning, conducted an ambush

that night, and performed another mass casualty exercise.

COMMENTS

The Long Wait

It had been a long day and an even longer night. We were moving along the top of a ridgeline to our patrol base. It was dark and the night seemed to press in our us like a suffocating blanket. We hadn't had more than an hour's sleep in the last three days, and Ranger students were behaving in all sorts of strange ways.

After a short halt, one of my fellow students waited in a crouch for his Ranger Buddy ahead of him to move. He could see that the platoon was starting down the trail again.

"Psst, The platoon's moving.," he whispered. His Ranger Buddy didn't budge. Other students were starting to pass him.

"Come on, man, we're falling behind," he said, a little louder than before. He felt tired and he knew that his Ranger Buddy was tired too.

Finally, he pushed his Ranger buddy. "Let's go!" he said. Nothing. Another student passing by stopped and asked, "What are you waiting for?"

"My Ranger Buddy's droning and won't move," he said. The passing Ranger student looked around. He shook his head.

"You're standing behind a bush, man. I don't think it's going to move anytime soon," he said.

The Ranger student moved forward. His "Ranger Buddy" was a small bush, which, from behind, had the silhouette of a man. The student moved down the trail, wondering where his real Ranger Buddy was.

MOUNTAIN PHASE DAY 17 (37) 18 JUL 95Meals: 2 Sleep: I hr Marched 6100 m

MAJOR EVENTS FTX Day 8. We conducted squad ambushes, performed a link-up, and set up a

new patrol base.

COMMENTS Breakdown your M60s down to the gas tube. A number of M60s failed to fire

because the gas tube had carbon build-up or because the piston was placed in the tube backwards.

Breakdown your M16s as far as you think you can still find the parts. Most of the time we only took them down to the bolt, leaving the bolt intact because of the small parts. The most important part of maintaining your' M16s is to keep sand and dirt off the bolt assembly, yet keep the assembly well oiled.

A new set ofRI's arrived early every morning. It normally took them one hour to exchange information and change-over -- an hour when no one watched the Ranger students. This was an excellent time to grab a quick snack, do field hygiene, or even to get a short nap.

Field hygiene was normally done while the RI's changed-over in the morning. As quickly as possible, brush your teeth, clean your face using wetwipes, shave, and recamo. When the medics arrive to check feet, change socks and t-shirts. You'll feel like a million bucks.


MAJOR EVENTS FTX Day 9. We conducted a platoon ambush, then set up a patrol base near a

mountaintop.

COMMENTS On night movements, learn to take night steps -- step up and over, not just

straight forward. Otherwise, you'll be falling over every log and root in the Appalachians.

Eye protection is highly recommended. When stepping over obstacles, kick them so that the Ranger behind you knows

that it's there. If you bend branches back, don't let them snap back and hit the person behind

you in the face. On night movements, use commo every time you move to ensure that there's no

break-in-contact. Often, the lead squads will leave the rear squads behind when they move out. All it takes is one droning Ranger student.

If you are really tired and falling asleep on movements, grab the person's ruck in front of you when the formation stops. That way, if you fall asleep and he moves out, you'll be jerked awake. Trust me, this works. I was jerked around quite a bit.


MAJOR EVENTS FTX Day 10. We conducted a raid, moved to a PZ, and were airmobiled back to

Camp Merrill. The FTX was finally over. We spent the rest of the night cleaning weapons and equipment and enjoying a

Hot A meal. Peers and Course Critiques. Once again, we had to fill our peer reports and

course critiques for the RI's. We spent the night in the barracks -- beds never felt so good.

My Second GO

"Ranger Hoang, get out here," the Rl said. We had returned to Camp Merrill after a long and mistake-filled mission. I had been the Platoon Sergeant and the RI was about to give me my evaluation. I needed this GO to get out of the Mountains ... I didn't have my hopes up, though. I expected the worst.

It had been a terrible mission. After taking over as Platoon Sergeant, the platoon had been a cluster as it left the patrol base. My status card had not been completely in order when the RI asked for it. Within 300 meters of leaving the patrol base, my pointman had become lost and separated from the platoon. Worst, I had made a mistake on the headcount and didn't realize it immediately. When we finally reached the objective, the PL compromised himself on the recon of the objective. I organized a hasty attack and moved to his position. In the confusion that followed, the PL got himself killed and I took over the platoon. OUf mission was to recover a key piece of enemy equipment. Well, not only did my platoon have 15 soldiers killed out of 40, butwe also destroyed the key equipment when we blew up the objective. I recovered all the wounded and reorganized the rest of the platoon as best I could. On the movement back, the PL's clement got lost and we had a break in contact. After my element located the rest of the platoon, we returned to Camp. Overall, a horrible mission -- virtually every major mistake that could be made was made. I stood in front of the Rl and braced for the bad news.

"Well, Ranger Hoang, this probably surprised you, but I'm giving you a GO. The only GO, in fact, that any Ranger received for today's mission."

I was dumbstruck. "But, Sergeant, I thought if you a lost Ranger or compromised yourself on the OBJ or had a break in contact that you were anautomatic NO GO. We had all three."

He looked at me grimly. "Well, Ranger, all those things happened, but none of them were your fault. I evaluated you on how well you did your job and you did a hell of a job tonight making the most of bad situations. Everyone else might have been ate-up, but you tried your best. That's why you got a GO."

Christmas had come early for me. I was going to Florida.

MOUNTAIN PHASE DAY 20 (40) 21 JUL9SMeals: 3 Sleep: 4 hr

MAJOR EVENTS Counseling. The RI's took us into Company Headquarters and counseled us one

by one. Those who would be boarded were notified. Boards were held that same day and the unfortunate recycles reported to Mountain Gulag within an hour.

EquipmentlWeapon Cleaning. In our down time, we continued to clean our gear. PX Visit. The RI's gave us the opportunity to visit the Post PX (very small), to

purchase any needed supplies. Unfortunately, we weren't allowed to buy any food.

Super Supper. That night, the Mountain Mess Hall put together a Super Supper for the students -- a heaping meal which covered two full plates and was mouth-watering. Steak, fish, cake ... our stomachs never had it so good.

NCO Club. After we had turned in all our weapons and equipment, we headed to the NCO Club where we could buy pizza, hamburgers, and all kinds of junk food which our bodies craved but could not handle. We lounged around, watched TV, and farted up a storm. Never before have I seen so much sugar and chocolate go down throats so fast.

COMMENTS

MOUNTAIN PHASE DAY 21 (41) 22 JUL 95Meals: 2 Sleep: 7 hr

MAJOR EVENTS Movement to Benning. We woke up at Oh-Dark- Thirty for a 3 1/2 hour ride back

to Camp Rogers. End of Cycle Break. Upon arrival at Fort Benning, the Florida RI's took . control of

us and released us for an 8 hour break. Movement to Florida. Upon our return, we boarded buses for a six hour ride to

Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, for the final phase of Ranger School.

COMMENTS

A New Look

I weighed about 135 pounds while at West Point. Before leaving for Ranger School, I weighed about 145 pounds. By the time I finished the Mountain FTX, I weighed 120 pounds. How is possible to lose so much weight?

A student burns a lot of calories during Ranger School. Besides being awake for 21-24 hours a day, there's a lot of physical demands placed upon you. A Ranger student very quickly burns up the meager calories in their IvlREs. The body responds by switching to an alternative source offuel: one's body fat. This lasts for a while, but eventually, even this energy runs out. (It runs out sooner if you're lean like 1 was). What happens next is interesting: your body starts burning muscle.

You can tell because your body odor changes ... it smelled like ammonia to me, but different students smelled different things. When you start burning muscle, your body weight drops fast (I guess muscle isn't a very good source of energy compared to fat).

When I returned from the Mountain FfX and looked in the mirror for the first time, I was shocked at what 1 saw. The face in the mirror had deep sunk eyes, no fat around the cheeks, and my skin stretched tight around my skull. I looked like a POW or concentration camp survivor. My fellow Rangers looked the same. Our families and friends would not be happy with what they saw.

FLORIDA PHASE DAY 1 (42) 23 JUL 95Meals: 3 Sleep: 10 hr

MAJOR EVENTS Inprocessing. After a late night arrival at Eglin Air Force Base, we off loaded and

moved into the barracks. Recycles from previous classes joined us. The facilities were impressive -- particularly the graffiti on the stalls left by generations of previous Ranger students.

Battalion Commander Briefing. The next morning, the Battalion Commander gave us quick pep talk -- he told us that the light was at the end of the tunnel, but we still had to perform.

Class: Medical Considerations. We learned about the various dangers we faced from heal, exposure, and disease while in Florida.

Class: Reptiles. Several RI' s -- all qualified snake handlers -- gave a talk on snakes and reptiles, complete with live specimens (they even brought out a baby alligator). Methods of avoidance, what to do if bitten, and affects of snake bites were all covered. No one slept through this class.

Class: Patrol Bases. We reviewed the basics of patrol bases, and learned about the peculiarities of patrol base operations in Florida (digging-in, 25% security, different priority of work). We spent the rest of the night drawing weapons and equipment, squaring it away, and DX-ing TA-50.

COMMENTS

FLORIDA PHASE DAY 2 (43) 24 JUL 95Meals: 2 Sleep: 6 hr Moved 1200 m

MAJOR EVENTS Classes/STX. This was the first of four days of round robin classes and practical

exercises. We rotated between classes on patrol bases, booby traps, survival skills, and medical evacuation procedures. At the end of the round robin, we went on an RIled recon, followed by establishing a patrol base (we didn't have to dig in). We spent the night out in the field.

COMMENTS Wet wipes are the key to field hygiene. Get a bunch.

The Gator

Everywhere one looks at the Florida Ranger Camp, one sees gators. Gators are painted on the buildings, on signs, on inside walls. The Florida Ranger Camp T-shirt has two Ranger students chest deep in a swamp. The lead student, compass in hand, looks lost while his fellow student has an alligator over his head, jaws open down to the student's waist. The bar at the Florida Ranger Camp is called the "Gator Lounge."

Live gators can be found as well. Old Joe is the Florida Camp's mascot. He lives in a fenced in pool located behind the HQ building. Older than the camp itself, and weighing several hundred pounds, Old Joe is bigger than a man. The RI' s feed him live chickens regularly, an event which always draws acrowd. Somehow, you get the feeling that Old Joe would prefer somethingbigger and more tender (although a Ranger Student would probably make apoor meal: not enough meat and too smelly).

During the Reptiles class, the Rl' s bring out a small gator which they are raising. They demonstrate that although an alligators jaws are tremendously strong and can crush bone between them, the jaws are very weak in the opposite direction. A man can keep a gator's jaws closed using only hand (just don't let go).

Also, the Rl' s informed us, much to our dismay, that a grown alligator can outrun a man on level ground. Even with a headstart, a man would be caught by an alligator in a straight-line race. However, alligators cannot turn vel)' well due to the structure of their body. Thus, the best way to escape a pursuing alligator is to make a sharp 90 degree turn when they close in. However, you must be careful not to make another <)0degree turn in the opposite direction and zig-zag or the alligator will cut your turn off and have you for lunch. We listened to all this with wide-eyed attention. No student had ever been killed by a gator attack, we were told, but there was always a first time.

FLORIDA PHASE DAY 3 (44) 25 JUL 95Meals: 2 Sleep: 4 hr 30 min Marched 1200 m

MAJOR EVENTS Classes/STX. This was the second of four days of classes and practical exercises.

After a series of ambush classes and exercises, we conducted an ambush mission, then returned to our patrol base.

COMMENTS

Excerpt from "The Long Gray Line"

Earlier this morning, the men had boarded buses for the 150 mile-trip to Egline Air Force Base in Florida. Near Field 7. after they had transferred to deuce-and-a-half trucks for the final few miles, the convoy drove through an ambush scene. A truck was ablaze and soldiers lay on the ground in feigned death. "The enemy," one instructor warned ominously, "is all around us."

Oh, shit, the new lieutenants murmured, here we go. That was on thing everyone had heard about the major: he was nothing if not theatrical. Sitting the dingy tarpaper shack, they wondered what would happen next.

KA-BOOM! A deafening explosion rocked the shack. Two hundred drowsy Rangers leaped with fright, their ears ringing violently from the grenade simulators. Several even committed the mortal sin of dropping their M-14s and rifles clattered on the bleachers like pickup sticks.

The door to the shack burst open and the major staggered in. He wore black pajamas, soaked and smeared with mud from a recent wallow in Holly Creek; his boots trailed a tangled clump of swamp weeds, and he carried an AK-47. Big and brawny, he had a parabolic slash for a mouth and jowls that looked like something from a meat locker. He spoke with the thick drawl of his native Schley County in south Georgia.

"I just came out of the swamp where I was fightin' the guerrillas. The guerrillas are mean and tough. They are not to be taken lightly." A mad glint lit his eyes as he paused, shaking himself like a Labrador retriever. "Here's what they did to me."

Ripping open the pajama top, he displayed a fearsome, knotted scar running vertically from navel to clavicle.

FLORIDA PHASE DAY 4 (45) 26 JUL 95Meals: 2 Sleep: 3 hr 30 min Marched 4000 m

MAJOR EVENTS Classes/STX. This was the third of four days of classes and practical exercises.

After a series of raid classes and exercises, we conducted a raid mission, then returned to the barracks to sleep.

COMMENTS When you get tired and annoyed and feel like kicking everyone's butt, remember

to keep everything in perspective.

FLORIDA PHASE DAY 5 (46) 27 JUL 95Meals: 2 Sleep: 7 hr Marched 4000 m

MAJOR EVENTS Classes/STX. This was the last day of classes and practical exercises. We spent all

day practicing one-rope bridges, learning about the RB-15 Zodiac, and preparing for waterborne operations.

COMMENTS Whatever you do, keep a positive attitude. Worrying about your next patrol,

your next march, does nothing for you. Believe in yourself. Everyone deals with the stress of Ranger School differently -- a lot of students

take it out on each other. Remember that as you deal with your fellow Rangers. The Ranger style of leadership is just a tool. It may not be appropriate in every

situation.

FLORIDA PHASE DAY 6 (47) 28 JUL 95Meals: 2 Sleep: 6 hr

MAJOR EVENTS FTX Day 1. We conducted bay planning for the FTX. We spent the night in the

barracks so that airborne students could rest for the next day's jump.

COMMENTS If you have to sew your own cateyes on a PC, use the following pattern with the

thread: Sew a large piece of illumination tape inside the top of your PC and use it to

write mission notes on. For mass casualty exercises, use two 2-quart straps and the pack-strap method

to carry bodies. Ask any medic to explain the technique if you're not familiar with it ... it is better than any poncho or buddy carry.

A great technique for getting assault/ambush squads on line is to bring the squad forward in a column, with squad leader in the lead. At the surveillance point, the squadleader turns 90 degrees with the squad following. The squadleader paces off each position and emplaces each squad member by peeling them off the column behind him.


MAJOR EVENTS FTX Day 2. Airborne personnel went away for jump refresher training while the

Legs sat in the shade and attempted to look like they were awake. The jump ended up being canceled due to high winds. After a truck movement, we had a slow movement to our ambush site. Our setup of the patrol base was ate-up and we ended up with little sleep.

COMMENTS If you put the showers on high in the Florida barracks, they give a great back and

neck massage. Shoe-Goo is great for fixing boots that tear. Wear boots that are comfortable.

Whether jungle or all-leather, the best pair of boots are the ones that your feet are used to. I wore the same set of boots for every FTX during Ranger School. I think there's more Shoe-Goo than leather in those boots now.


MAJOR EVENTS FTX Day 3. We conducted a recon, followed by a raid. In Florida, we typically

spent the day planning in the patrol base we established the night before. Between 1700-1900, we would move out as the temperature dropped, and arrive at our ORP between 3-4 hours later. We typically finished actions on the objective some time past midnight. We would then conduct a forced road march across soft sand (the RI's set the pace --lucky us) to our new patrol base site.

COMMENTS

FLORIDA PHASE DAY 9 (50) 31 JUl 95Meals: 2 Sleep: 2 hr 30 min Marched 7500 m

MAJOR EVENTS FTX Day 4. After a 14 km truck movement, we conducted an ambush, then road

marched to our next patrol base site. The RI's were kind enough to walk us through a creek up to our thighs before we started the march – the combination of sand and water left holes in our feet by the next morning.

COMMENTS

Pocket Reminder

In my pocket, I kept a card with some reminders to myself during RangerSchool. This is what I wrote:

1. It’s all a mind-game -- take it one day at a time2. Keep your composure3. Everyone else is going through the same thing -- lesser men than you havemade it through just fine4. Laugh -- Keep a sense of humor5. Be a team player6. Perform consistently -- don't spotlight7. Keep a low profile8. Keep your RI informed

FLORIDA PHASE DAY 10 (51) 1 AUG 95Meals: 2 Sleep: 2 hr Moved 10,000 m

MAJOR EVENTS• FTX Day 5. We had a long movement to our raid site, then conductedanother speed march to our patrol base site.

COMMENTS

FLORIDA PHASE DAY 11 (52) 2 AUG 95Meals: 2 Sleep: 4 hr 30 min Marched 1000 m

MAJOR EVENTS FTX Day 6. We were supposed to move nearly 12 km for our next mission, a raid.

However, Hurricane Erin was moving rapidly in our direction and our mission was cut short. We were trucked to the Objective, conducted our raid, then trucked back to barracks, where the RI' s locked us down for 36 hours.

COMMENTS

Tabbed Out

Finally, my chance to prove my worth. The RI's had just told me that I would be the Weapons Squad Leader for the day's mission. If I got a GO 011 this mission, Iwould be "tabbed out."

The RI assigned to grade me was very quiet and low key. As I prepared the squad in the patrol base and dug in, he never came by to talk to me. He merely visited each of my positions, asked my squad a few questions, and checked the lay of my weapons. Some RI' s believed that they could tell everytime about a student's leadership ability by talking to their subordinates. If a squad knew what was going on and their positions were squared away, then the squadleader was doing a good job.

We had completed almost all of our planning and preparation for the mission, when a FRAGO was issued. A hurricane was headed our direction and although Rangers lead the way, they yielded right of way to natural disasters like hurricanes.

Minutes later, we loaded onto trucks. The RI's told us we would disembark within 1000 meters of the objective. When we jumped off the truck, we discovered we were within 150 meters of the objective -- in fact, if we stood up in our ORP, we could see the objective!

Quickly, we set out on a recon. The PL, somewhat ignorant of terrain and its uses, silhouetted himself against the sky and compromised our position. Small arms fire erupted from the objective. We hastily organized an attack. I grabbed the M60s and set up a quick support position.

The attack finished quickly -- we had taken the objective, an enemy camp, with only a handful of casualties (including, predictably, the platoon leader). We boarded trucks and returned to camp early in the afternoon.

That night, the RI told me in so many words that I had a GO. I was "tabbed out" and for the first time in two months, I felt at peace with the world.

FLORIDA PHASE DAY 12 (53) 3 AUG 95Meals: 2 Sleep: 8 hr 30 min

MAJOR EVENTS Lockdown. Hurricane Erin moved into the Ranger Camp with the wrath of . God.

We were locked into the barracks with two JvfRE's and our bunks. Never have so many slept so well.

COMMENTS Bring extra PC's and ensure they fit snugly. The woods have a way of eating them

up, particularly during night movements.

FLORIDA PHASE DAY 13 (54) 4 AUG 95Meals: 2 Sleep: 16 hr Marched 4700 m

MAJOR EVENTS FTX Day 7. We moved back out to the field) where we saw what must have been

the greatest assemblage of blow-down that any Ranger Class has ever seen. After a very smooth ambush, we retired to a patrol base.

Mike's Three Rules of Thumb

It was Florida, it was summer, and it was hot and humid. As I dragged myself and my equipment down the sandy trail, I thought back to the weeks just before I started Ranger School. I remembered talking to everyone I could about Ranger School, trying to find sound advice that would help me. One of the most useful advice I received was from a classmate and a friend: Mike Cerniaskus.

Mike, who served in Panama with a Ranger Battalion and is one of the finest human beings I know, had completed Ranger School before coming to West Point. I remember returning from the pool one day when I met Mike in the latrine. Standing in my wet BDU's, TA-50 in hand, I saw Mike smile.

He told me his Three Rules of Thumb regarding Ranger School: "First," he said, "Don't quit." Ifyou make the decision even before starting at

Ranger School not to quit, you've removed a lot of your fear and doubt. These two things -- fear of failure and doubting yourself -- cause more students to fail Ranger School than just about anything else. As Mike told me, you have to be "mentally tough." The most important muscle to develop before you get to Ranger School is the one between your ears.

"Second," he said, "You already know everything you need to know." Ranger school teaches its students all the skills and tactics which they need to succeed and pass the course. As officers-lo-be, I had the basic soldier skills I needed to start the course. I had to have confidence in my ability to learn the rest.

"Finally," he said) "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." People remember things at Ranger School. If you are kind to someone, they will repay that kindness. If you screw your buddy, they remember that too. Individuals always fail Ranger School -- to graduate, students must learn to work as a team. Part of this teamwork is valuing your fellow student's welfare as much as you value your own, maybe even more. Ranger students know when they have a selfish individual in their midst and they take appropriate actions. Sometimes it's a poor peer rating,. Sometimes it's a late night lesson in teamwork.

I kept Mike's Three Rules of Thumb with me on a small card. From Rogers to Graduation, his advice served me well.

FLORIDA PHASE DAY 14 (55) 5 AUG 95Meals: 2 Sleep: 16 hr Moved 10,000 m

MAJOR EVENTS FIX Day 8. After an extremely long movement, we conducted an ambush, then

spent most of the morning moving to a new patrol base. The mission was interrupted for an hour while we conducted a practice MEDEVAC, complete with helicopter and skidcoe litter. The mission itself was a disaster -- our platoon literally moved onto the objective without realizing it, then marched in circles for almost an hour.

COMMENTS Stretch out your hands every once in awhile. After days and weeks of gripping

your weapon, they will begin to cramp up and curl up painfully on their own if you don't.

Your LBE snaps in the back can dig painfully into your back. Either adjust them up or down so that the kidney pad no longer rests on them, or break them off and replace them with 550 cord.

Run, Francis, Run

The most valuable lessons I learned at Ranger School were about myself. I learned who I was and what I would do when I was tired, hungry, and under stress. I learned that I wasn't as tough as I wish I were, but I a was a hell of a lot tougher than I thought I was.

It was Day 8 and we were nearing the end of the Florida ITX. My platoon was crossing a bridge when we indirect fire began raining down on us. One of the first men to go down was the platoon leader, who lay on the far side of the bridge. As I ran across the bridge, coughing up phlegm from an Upper Respitory Infection I had developed in the last few days of Florida, I saw Ranger after Ranger pass by the platoon leader. The RI told me he was supposed to be alive, but had both legs blown off by shrapnel. I was mad that my fellow students had ran by him.

What the hell, I thought. I dropped my ruck and yelled, "cover me!" as I grabbed the platoon leader and threw him on my back. As I began to run, artillery simulators going off everywhere, I saw the reason why the rest of the platoon had passed the platoon leader by: our rendevous point was 300 meters away and located on top of a hill. Straining under the platoon leader's 170 pound weight, I grunted my way up to the rendevous point, then collapsed from exhaustion. The rest of the platoon stared at me in stunned silence.

I had promised myself that I would never desert a fellow soldier, nor leave a friend behind. I kept my promise that day.

FLORIDA PHASE DAY 15 (56) 6 AUG 95Meals: 2 Sleep: 3 hr 30 min Moved 12,000 m

MAJOR EVENTS FTX Day 9. \'f'e conducted a raid relatively close to our patrol base, then went on

what we would later call "The Bataan Death March." It was a speed march across soft sand trails, led by Rl's, which went over 8 km. Rangers fell like flies.

Rl Advice

1. Teamwork is essential2. Comply with instructions3. Keep everything serviceable4. Drink water -- heat exhaustion makes you a NO GO5. Don't mess with wildlife6. Gulag attitude is to be ignored7. Mail is key.8. Keep wounds clean and dry9. Being lost won't necessary make you a NO GO -- don't quit10. Know the Definition of Leather -- they may ask it11. Ask questions of fellow students12. Memorize the Ranger Creed13. Take care of teeth14. Volunteer for RTO, Terrain Model, and Team Leader Positions15. Clean the Gas Tube of your M6016. Use the roads on Land Nav17. Take care of your feet -- keep them powdered, change socks, and premoleskinbefore road marches18. Mental Toughness is the key -- "All it takes is a little heart". Go in hungry19. Support when you are supposed to support, lead when you are supposed tolead20. Do equipment layouts right - make it easy on the Rl21. Status reports must be accurate -- don't finger drill22. Don't be in the back of the line for the PT Test23. Be the type of Ranger who is a doer, not just a talker --let your actionsspeak for you24. Don't eat all your food at once25. When you have a chance, change your socks, powder your feet, brush yourteeth, shave, and change your shirt -- it does wonders26. Use the resident experts in your fellow Ranger Students27. Review OPOP..DS and TLP -- use Ranger Handbook for GPORDs

FLORIDA PHASE DAY 16 (57) 7 AUG 95Meals: 3 Sleep: 2 hr 30 min Moved 4000 m

MAJOR EVENTS FTX Day 10. We moved 2.5 km to our raid site, then an additional 1.5 km to our

truck embarkation point. The RI' s kept telling us that we were road marching all 18 km back, but trucks picked us up and brought us back to the barracks.

Brass/Ammo Check, Peers, Critiques. After a quick brass and ammo check (they make you dump out everything), we once again filled out peer ratings and course critiques.

Counseling. While we cleaned weapons, we were called in by squads to get our final counseling. Rangers were notified if they would graduate, recycle, or be dropped .. Of tile 262 Rangers who started with Class 9-95, approximately 97 graduated, along with 30 recycles from other classes.

DOGEX. After we finished our work, the RI' s held a DOGEX for us at the Gator Lounge. For a mere $5.00, we could buy 3 hot-dogs, a butterfinger, a nutter butter bar, and 2 cokes.

Shade under trees is better than shade under a poncho. There is little air circulation under a poncho.

Melt your camo with a lighter before applying it. The camo goes on easier and thicker.

COMMENTS

FLORIDA PHASE DAY 17 (58) 8 AUG 95Meals: 3 Sleep: 0 hr

MAJOR EVENTSOutprocessing. After a well-deserved shower, we listened to a final outbrief from the

Battalion Commander. We finished cleaning our heavy weapons and equipment and turned them in. After getting high and tight haircuts and visiting the mini-PX, we were given time to make phone calls and received our packages filled with pogie bait from home. That night, we spent several hours drinking beer and eating food in the Gator Lounge. After filling our stomachs (not to mention intoxicating our systems), we staged for the bus ride back to Camp Rogers .

Movement to Camp Rogers. The buses arrived and we rode the six hours back to Benning in high spirits, with full stomachs and visions of Graduation dancing in our head.

COMMENTS

OUTPROCESSING DAY 1 (59) 9 AUG 95Meals: 3 Sleep: 6 hr

MAJOR EVENTSOutprocessing and Break. After arriving at Camp Rogers, we spent a whole' day

doing nothing but running from place to place cleaning weapons, turning them in, picking up bags, getting medical records, and filling out critiques. We were given a short 5 hour break that evening. During these last two days, we slept in barracks located away from Camp Rogers and ate two meals in the mess hall along with an lv1RE each day.

COMMENTS

OUTPROCESSING DAY 2 (60) 10 AUG 95Meals: 3 Sleep: 6 hr

MAJOR EVENTSOutprocessing. We held practices for graduation, turned in TA-50, filled out

outprocessing forms, had our class picture taken, and picked up our POVs today. The Ranger Association visited, asked us to join their organization, and sold us all sorts of Ranger Memorabilia. That night was "family night" - - friends and families could visit students in the vicinity of the barracks.

COMMENTS

GRADUATION DAY 61 11 AUG 95Meals: 3 Sleep: 6 hr

MAJOR EVENTSGraduation. After a few more rehearsals, and short talk by the Battalion

Commander, we held Graduation Exercises on Malvesti Field. After the ceremony, we walked back to headquarters, picked up our diplomas and said good-bye to Camp Rogers forever.

Journal Entry, 11Aug 95

The time had finally come: graduation. Freedom, food, sleep – these things had taken on a whole new meaning to me in the last two months. I would never take them for granted ever again.

I moved into the woodline with my Ranger Buddy. The plan called for us to hide in the woods lining Malvesti Field before the ceremony began. For the last time, I took up a position in the woods with my Ranger Buddy. Of course, we did what all good Rangers do when they lie down in the woods: we fell asleep.

Nearly an hour later, we woke up the sound of thunder nearby. The crowd now in place in stands facing Malvesti Field, the Rl's threw smoke grenades followed by arty simulators. We rushed from our hiding places (some groggily) with a loud shout and formed in our Ranger Companies on Malvesti Field under a giant black and gold Ranger Tab. The crowd cheered.

After speeches and awards, we were given five minutes to have friends and family pin on our Ranger Tabs, which we had all carried anxiously in our pockets all morning. I looked around for my classmates and friends. After a couple of minutes I gave up hope ... no one had made it to my graduation.

Suddenly, I heard a shout behind me, "France!" I turned around to see not just one, but a dozen classmates in BDU's with shiny gold lieutenant bars on their caps. I almost saluted until I remembered that I, too, was a Lieutenant. I had been in Ranger School a long time.

Quickly, my classmates and I formed a circle. I handed the Ranger Tab to Mrs. Gribschaw who passed it to my classmates. They, in turn, passed it around the circle -- one by one, my classmates carried the Tab I had worked so hard for. There was significance to this little ceremony. My classmates and their encouragement had carried me through some of the hardest moments of Ranger School, while COL and Mrs. Gribschaw had opened their home and hearts to me during my arrival at Benning and during each break. The Tab reached the hands of Stephanie Arnold, who pinned it on my left shoulder.

Finally, I wore the coveted Black and Gold.After reciting the Ranger Creed, we were released with a shout of joy. Never in

my life have I ever felt such relief. It was time to go home.

APPENDIX A: MRE RECIPES

Chocolatc C.'cam PicIngredients:1 Chocolate Nutcake2 Crackers1 Cheese Spread1 Cocoa packet1 Sugar packet1 Creamer packetDirections: In a package, mix together crushed Chocolate Nutcake, crushed Crackers, sugar, cream, cocoa. Add Cheese Spread and stir until smooth.

Chocolate Covercd FruitIngredients:1 Dried Fruit Mix1 Cocoa packet1 Sugar packet1 Creamer packet

WaterDirections: Open Dried Fruit package and sugar, cream, and cocoa. Add just enough water to soak fruit. Stir until smooth.

Black Forest CakeIngredients:2 Crackers1 Cocoa packet1 Cherry Beverage Base Powder1 Sugar packet1 Creamer packet

WaterDirections: In a package, mix together crushed Crackers, cocoa, beverage base powder, sugar, and cream. Add water and stir to a smooth consistency.

Chocolate OatmealIngredients:1 Oatmeal Cookie Bar1 Cocoa packet1 Sugar packet1 Creamer packet

WaterDirections: In a package, mix together crushed Oatmeal Cookie Bar, cocoa, sugar, and creamer. Add a small amount of water and stir.

Ham and Cheese SandwichIngredients:1 MRE Shelf Bread packet1 Ham Slice1 Cheese Spread packetDirections: Cut shelf bread in half and spread cheese on one slice. Put a ham slice between the pieces and enjoy. For an extra special treat, spread on Ham Jubilee (see below) instead.

Ham JubileeIngredients:1 Ham Slice1 Apple Jelly Packet1 Sugar packet1 Creamier packetDirections: Open Ham Slice packet and add jelly, sugar, and creamer. Using spoon, mix ingredients together until smooth. Eat with crackers.

Apple PieIngredients:2 Crackers1 Applesauce1 Sugar packet1 Creamer packetDirections: Open applesauce packet lengthwise. Crush crackers and sprinkle on top of applesauce. Add sugar and creamer on top of crackers.

Sugar TaffeeIngredients:1 Beverage Base Powder (any flavor)1 Jelly packet (any flavor)

WaterDirections: Add jelly and a little bit of water to a beverage base powder packet.Stir until thick and smooth.

LasagnaIngredients:1 Spaghetti main meal2 Crackers1 Cheese Spread packetDirections: Crush crackers and add with Cheese Spread to Spaghetti mainmeal. Stir well.

Ranger Puading (light)Ingredients:1 Cocoa packet1 Coffee packet1 Sugar packet1 Creamer packet

Water.Directions: Mix ingredients together in a package. Add water and stir to make a paste.

Runger Pudding (heavy)Ingredients:2 Crackers1 Cocoa packet1 Coffee packet1 Sugar packet1 Creamer packet

WaterDirections: Crush crackers and mix with other ingredients in a package. Add water and stir to make a paste.

Peach CobblerIngredients:1 Dried Peaches Mix1 Sugar packet1 Creamer packet

WaterDirections: Add creamer and sugar to Dried Peaches. Add water and stir,

Sweet COI·ncd Bcef HashIngredients:1 Corned Beef Hash main meal1 Applesauce1 Apple Jelly packetDirections: Add applesauce and apple jelly to Corned Beef Hash.

CheesecakeIngredients:2 Crackers1 Cheese Spread packet1 Sugar packet1 Creamer packet1 Beverage Base Powder or Cocoa Packet

WaterDirections: In a package, mix crushed crackers, cheese spread, sugar, and creamer. To this add your choice of beverage base powder or cocoa. Add water and stir until smooth.

Sugar Au GratinIngredients:1 Potatoes Au Gratin meal1 Sugar packet or Beverage Base PowderDirections: Add sugar or a beverage base powder to Potatoes Au Gratin. Stir.

Reeses PeesesIngredients:1 Cocoa packet1 Peanut Butter packet2 Crackers (optional)

WaterDirections: In a packet, mix cocoa, peanut butter and water. Stir. Add crushed crackers for a thicker meal.

Sugar CrackersIngredients:1 Cracker1 Cheese Spread packet1 Beverage Base PowderDirections: Spread cheese onto crackers. Sprinkle beverage base powder on top.

Sweet and Sour ChickenIngredients:1 Chicken and Rice Main Meal1 Grape Beverage base PowderDirections: Mix grape beverage base powder into chicken and rice main meal.

APPENDIX B: MRE CONTENTSMRE# 1 2 3

MEAL Pork & Rice Corned Beef Chicken Stew

EXTRA Apple Sauce None NoneMEAL

THERMO Grape Apple Peanut ButterPACK

DESSERT None Oatmeal Bar None

CANDY Tootsie Caramels Tootsie

DRIED No Yes YesFRUIT

COCOA Yes Yes Yes

BEVERAGE Cherry__________________________________________________________________

MRE# 7 8 9

MEAL Beef Stew Ham Slice Meatballs and Rice

EXTRA None Potatoes NoneMEAL Au Gratin

THERMO Peanut Butter Apple Peanut ButterPACK

DESSERT Cherry Nutcake Brownie Brownie

CANDY None None M&M'slMars Bar

DRIED No No YesFRUIT

COCOA No Yes No

BEVERAGE

MRE# 4 5 6

MEAL Omelette Spaghetti Chicken Ala King

EXTRA Potatoes None None

MEAL Au Gratin

THERMO Cheese Cheese Peanut ButterPACK

DESSERT Oatmeal Cookie Maple Nutcake None

CANDY Caramels M&M's Charms

DRIED No No YesFRUIT

COCOA Yes No Yes

BEVERAGE Orange Grape

MRE# 10 11 12

MEAL Tuna & Noodles Chicken Rice Escalloped Potatoes

EXTRA None None ApplesauceMEAL

THERMO Cheese Cheese ApplePACK

DESSERT Choco Nutcake Chaco Cookie Brownie

CANDY None M&M's None

DRIED No Yes NoFRUIT

COCOA No No Yes

BEVERAGE Grape Lemon-Lime

APPENDIX C: SUPPLY LIST

ITEMS TO BRlNG 20 Copies of Orders 1 201 File 1 Letter of certification 1 Medical and Dental Records (to include recent medical)

Must be stamped "Ranger Qualified"

ITEMS TO BUY BRAND STORE 2 BDUBelt Issue MCS 6 BDU Sets IssuelUsed MCS/Ranger Rags 2 BDUCaps Issue MCS

(get ranger eyes sewn on at Ranger Joe's) 2 Eyeglasses Combat Frames Ranger Joe's 1 Flashlight (mag-lite) Mag-Lite wi Red Lens Ranger Joe's 1 Flashlight (L-Shape Military) Issue MCS 2 Gloves Issue Ranger Joe's 2 Glove Inserts (polypro liners) WickAway Ranger Joe's 2 Dog Tags (w/noise dampeners) Issue Ranger Joe's 1 IDCard Issue = 2 Nametapes (last name) Issue Ranger Joe's 1 Running Shoes Broken In Pair = 3 Black/Pclypro Socks WickAway Ranger Joe's 14 OD Socks Issue MCS 2 pr White Socks Issue MCS 7 Brown T-shirts Issue MCS 3 Undergarments Issue Ranger Joe's 5 Notebooks Stormsafe MCS 10 Pens Issue = 10 Pencils Issue = 1 Shoe Shine Kit Issue PX 2 Extra Bootlaces Issue Ranger Joe's/MCS 2 Rolls Black Tape Electrical Tape Ranger Joe's! PX 4 Batteries, D Size = = 3 Combination Padlocks = 1 Sewing Kit Issue MCS 2 Wristwatch Durable = 1 Weapons Cleaning Kit

Patches, Small Pads Ranger Joe'sQ-Tips. Medical Type USCavDental Tools, Ranger Joe'sTube ofCLP, Ranger Joe'sRod, Ranger Joe'sCleaning Brush, Ranger Joe'sBarber's Brush, US Cav/PXShaving Cream Issue =

1 Hygiene Kit1 Razor, PX12 Blades, PX1 Mirror, Small Ranger Joe's1 Shaving Cream, PX2 Soap, PX

ITEMS TO BUY BRAND STORE1 Soap Dish, PX1 Toothbrush, PX2 Tubes Toothpaste, PX2 Brown Towels, Ranger Joe'slMeS2 Brown Handtowels Ranger Joe 's/Mes

20 Ziplock Bags (Quart Size) Zip Loc Heavy Duty K-Mart 20 Ziplock Bags (Gallon Size) Zip Loc Heavy Duty K-Mart 1 Map Markers Overlay type, superfine Ranger Joe's 10 Overlays Ranger Joe's 1 Alcohol Eraser Pen Ranger's Joe's 1 550 Cord 100' worth Ranger Joe's/MCS 1 Small Box Laundry Soap PX 1 Box Trash Bags Heavy Duty PX/K-Mart 1 Kneepads 1 Army PT Gear Issue MCS/Ranger Joe's 5 Laminating Sheets 9 x 11, heavy duty Office Depot 1 Poncho Liner Issue MCS/Ranger Joe's 1 Ranger Beads Ranger Joe's/MCS 1 Lighter 1 Moleskin Dr. Soles PX/MCS 1 Chig Away and Off Issue Ranger Joe's 1 Band-Aids Band-Aid/Strong Adhesive PX 1 Antiseptic Neosporin PX 20 Prestamped Postcards w/ Addresses Post Office 1 Terrain Model Stuff Hooah Stuff Ranger Joe's 1 Lanolin for hands Vaseline Intensive Care PX 1 Kidney Pad Ranger Joe's 1 Shoulder Pads Ranger Joe's 1 Knife/Multitool Buck Knife/Multiplier Ranger Joe's/PX 1 Wetwipes K-Mart a 1 Skin so soft Ranger Joe's 1 Chalk PX a 1 Status Card (squad, platoon) U.S. Cav 10 Chern-lites Ranger Joe's 1 Copenhagen (for trading) PX

APPENDIX D: GLOSSARY

"Ate-up as you want to be." phrase. RI way of saying that a student is not performing well. "Ranger Hoang, are you as ate up as you want to be?"

"Read about it" phrase. R1 way of saying that a student may receive a spot report. "Ranger Hoang, 1 don't yell and scream. If you screw up, you'll read about it instead. "

"Roger That, Hooah." phrase. The most commonly heard expression in all of Ranger School. It means "Yes, Iunderstand and agree completely." "Roger That, Hooah."

15-classes. noun. Mountain Phase term for combat techniques training . "Ranger Hoang, you '/I learn everything you need to know about kiJ/ing people and breaking things during the next four days of l S-classes. "

15-instructors. noun. Mountain Phase term for R1' s who teach combat techniques. "Ranger Hoang, we are your l S-instructors. Prepare for misery.

" Bat Boy. noun. Slang for a soldier from one of the Ranger Battalions. "My Machine Gun is jammed. Is there a Bat Boy in the house?"

bay planning, noun. Term for the planning and preparation phase of patrol operations when conducted in Garrison. Considered by many students to be an easy GO. "I'm PLfor bay planning tomorrow -- can we say 'tabbed out'?"

Benning. noun. Synonymous with hell. Location of Camp Darby and Camp Rogers. Also a term used to describe the Ranger Assessment Phase and Camp Darby Phase of Ranger School. "What sin did I commit 10 end up al Benning? "

BF. noun. Pronounced "Bravo-Foxtrot." Slang for someone who screws their fellow Ranger. "Jones is a real BF -- not only did he steal and eat MRE, but he also put the empty trash in my rucksack to haul out. "

BFR. noun. Acronym which stands for "Big Fricken' Rock." Mountain Phase slang for a large mountain. "No, Ranger Hoang, Mount Everest does not qualify as a BFR by Mountain Ranger standards. "

Blade Runner. noun. Slang for a Ranger Student who is perpetually in danger of being recycled or dropped, someone who is always on the edge. "Smith is a real Blade Runner -- not only has he maxxed out on Spot Reports, been peered last phase, and already failed two patrols this phase. but he hit on an Rl 's wife in a bar during the last 8 hour break. "

blow down. noun. 1. Term for trees that have knocked to the ground by strong winds. 2. Any area filled with such trees. "Not only did that hurricane wipe out third squad. it also left a lot of blow down. "

Blue Falcon. noun. Slang term for someone who really screws their fellow Ranger or who acts completely selfishly. "Hey, Blue Falcon, please take your fork out of my food."

blueberry pancakes. noun. The most incredible food served in the Mountain Mess Hall. (These blueberry pancakes are so good, 1 think my tastebuds are . having an orgasm. "

board. noun/verb. Term for a formal review of a Ranger student's performance by the Company Commander to determine whether the students should be graduated, recycled, or dropped. "1 think Lewis is going 10 be boarded for losing his rifle, NVGs, and PRC-77 during that last patrol."

Brain Bucket. noun. Slang for a Kevlar Helmet. "Ranger Hoang, not only is your brain bucket camouflaged improperly, 1think it's empty. "

break in contact. noun. Term for a separation between elements of the same patrol. "I saw our point man go over that cliff. I think we have a pretty serious break-in-contact here. "

Camp Darby. noun. Location of Squad and Platoon Operations training at Fort Benning. "Welcome to Camp Darby ... despite appearances, this is not a POW Camp. “

Camp Frank Merrill (CFM). noun. Location of the Mountain Phase and the 5th Ranger Training Battalion headquarters. “Camp Frank Merrill has some of the nicest barracks you'll ever see ... you will not be using them much.”

Camp Rogers. noun. Location of the Ranger Assessment Phase and Graduation Exercises. Also the location of the Ranger Training Brigade and 4th Ranger Training Battalion headquarters. "Like my momma always told me, Camp Rogers is like afruitcake: hard andfull of nuts.”

Cherry. noun. Slang for a very inexperienced soldier. "Who's that cherry LT that just graduated from West Point and showed up for Ranger School a week later? What a fool.”

chow. noun. Slang for food. "Men, you have five minutes 10 eat chow, and four minutes have already gone.”

CWST. noun. Acronym for the Combat Water Survival Test. "Ranger Hoang, you are not authorized to drown during the CWST Do you understand?”

Dagobah. noun. Term for the mythical fourth phase of Ranger School. "After this, I'm going to get my Jedi Tab at the Dagobah Phase.”

Dahlonega. noun. Term for the Mountain Phase. Dahlonega is a small town located near the Mountain Ranger Camp. "During Dahlonega. I went up a hill. down a hill, up a mountain, then down into a valley. And that was just to get to the Mess Hall.”

Darby Special. noun. Term for the 1:50,000 map of Benning and Vicinity used during Patrol Operations at Camp Darby. "Look like the PL is reading his Darby Special upside down -- we may be in trouble. "

Darby noun. Term for Patrol Operations training phase at Fort Benning. "1 don't remember much about Darby ... what 1do remember, I'm trying to forget. "

Day One Recycle. noun. Term for a recycle where the students starts the .entire course over again. "1would prefer 10 be tortured than be given a Day One Recycle. "

Death March. noun. Slang for any long, hard march led by RI's. "The Rl's leading this movement are putting on running shoes and carrying a stopwatch- I think we may be ill for a death march. "

dig in. verb. Florida Phase term for digging a fighting position. "RangerHoang, be/ore you can sleep for 15 minutes, you have to take an hour and dig in properly. "

DOGEX. noun. Acronym for Hot Dog Exercise. During the DOGEXs, held at the end of the Benning and Florida phases, RI' s sell hot dogs, soda, and desserts to Ranger Students, netting a huge profit. "I ale 24 hot dogs during that last DOGEX. J wish 1hadn't run out of money. "

dogs. noun. Slang for feet. "After that last death march, my dogs were really barking.”

drone. verb. Term for falling asleep or becoming exhausted to the point of delirium. "J droned so hard J ate a piece of bark thinking it was a candy bar. The worst part was that it tasted good '."

Eglin Air Force Base. noun. Location of the Florida Ranger Camp. "Eglin Air Force Base encompasses several dozen square miles -- Rangers, you will march over most of it. Fatal Hookup. noun. Term for an improperly set up rappel seat and line. "Jones got a MIAJorMin us for his fatal hookup -- the Rl's gave it to him after they scraped him off the base of the rappel cliff. "

FFL. noun. Acronym for Forward Friendly Lines, the furthest extent of friendly-controlled territory. "We passed the FFL at 1900. At 1901, we were lost ."

FFU. noun. Acronym for Forward Friendly Unit, the unit which controls passage through the FFL. "Coordination with the FFU was made more difficult by the fact that they didn't speak English. "

finger drill. verb. Slang for going through the motions instead of doing things right. "Rangers, you were obviously finger-drilling -- your assault squadsdidn't even bring rifles to the ambush site. "

firebreak. noun. Term for unimproved dirt roads. "I think that firebreak is the one we want ... or was it the last firebreak? "

Five Point. noun. Term for Five Point Contingency Plan. "Let me give you· a Five Point: I'm going home, I'm not taking anyone with me, I 'll be gone forever, if I don't return, don't worry, ifyou gel hit, run. "

Florida. noun. Term for the Florida Phase. "The last time 1 saw jungle like Florida, I was watching the movie Predator .. "

Gator Lounge. noun. A bar/restaurant located at the Florida Ranger Camp. "The Gator Lounge is the closest thing to heaven during Florida. "

GO. noun. Term for passing a patrol. Ranger students must pass a patrol in each phase and maintain at least a 50% GOINO GO ratio to continue on the next phase. "Ranger Hoang, you are a Go. "

Gulag. noun. Term for the place. where recycled Ranger students go. Gulags exist at each of the Ranger Camps. While in Gulag, students perform work details for the Camp. "During Gulag, I gained 20 pounds and painted 146rocks. "

hardball. noun. Term for a paved road. "Any Ranger student caught 011 the hardball will get a NO-GO and have lemon juice poured into their paper cuts. "

Hooah. nounlverb/adjective/adverb/phrase. Universal term used by Ranger students since the dawn of time. Meaning varies, but is somehow always understood. "Hooah."

K-pot. noun. Term for a Kevlar helmet. "Ranger Hoang, you may not wear a rice paddy hat instead of your K-Pot. Take off those pajamas too. You're giving the Colonel flashbacks. "

LOM. noun. Acronym for Lack of Motivation. A Ranger student may quit at any time by signing an LOM. "Anyone wanting a free ticket home just has to sign an LOM Any takers?"

Lowers. noun. Mountain Phase term for the three days of Lower Mountaineering Training and the location where this training is held. "Rangers, those screams you hear are students in Lowers who are not meeting the standard. "

mail. noun. Term for a Spot Report. "Here's some mail for you, Ranger Hoang. You will not, I repeat, will not sneak up behind the Colonel and yell "VC!" Do you understand?"

Major Plus. noun. A major positive spot report given for good performance. "Ranger Hoang, that was some outstanding motivation -- I've never seen anyone take a kick in the groin as well as you did. Here's a Major Plus. "

Major Minus. noun. A major negative spot report given for poor performance. "1got a Major Minus for reading mail in the ORP -- what really sucks is that it was a Dear John letter. "

Malvesti. noun. Malvesti Field. located at Camp Rogers. is where Graduation Exercises are held. The Malvesti Obstacle Course. located near Malvesti Field. is the site of the infamous "Worm Pit." The Malvesti Run is a 3 mile run held during Ranger Assessment Phase. "I only barfed twice duri ng the Malvesti Run. "

March to Dawn/Movement to Dawn. noun. Slang for an all-night movement. most common during the Florida Phase. "We marched to dawn so many times, 1lost track of days .. "

mass casualty exercise. noun. Term for a training scenario where several members of the patrol become injured and the Ranger Students must conduct an evacuation. "Since everyone in our platoon is dead, 1 think this qualifies as our mass casualty exercise for the day. "

Minor Minus. noun. Term for a minor negative spot report for poor performance. "Ranger Hoang, that little stunt of yours -- te/ling the Colonel that Orange Beverage Base Powder is actually dehydrated Agent Orange -- just earned you a Minor Minus. "

Minor Plus. noun. Term for a minor positive sport report for good performance. "Ranger Hoang, that's an outstanding terrain model. Minor Plus. "

mountain laurel. noun. Mountain Phase term for a type of low-lying bush found in the mountains which was very difficult to move through. "If the PL tries to take us through mountain laurel again, I'm going to shoot him. "

Mountains. noun. Term for Mountain Phase. "These are the Mountains. You will have your ups and downs here ... and you will have them carrying heavy loads. "

Nasty-Guard. noun. Term for National Guard. 'The Nasty-Guard has some guts sending him to Ranger School. "

NO GO. noun. Term for a failed patrol. "Ranger Hoang, you are a NO Go. Your handling of that ambush left something to be desired. Like a recycle. "

OBJ. noun. (pronounced Oh-Bcc-Jay) Term for the objective. "We should hit the OB) around J 900 -- if we sprint the entire way. "

One-Shot, One-Kill. noun. Term for a Ranger student who graduates without being recycled. "If that cherry West Point LT is a One-Short, One-Kill Ranger, I’ ll eat my MRE wrappers.”

ORP. noun. Acronym for the Objective Rally Point. "Jones was droning so . hard in the ORP. I had to check for a pulse. "

patrol. noun. A Ranger student's graded training period of activity. "During my patrol. I lost two men and accidentally ambushed our sister platoon. Not good."

PC. noun. Acronym for patrol cap. "My PC is now floating somewhere in the YelJow River. "

peered. verb. Term for someone who receives lower than 600/0on their peer ratings. Rangers who are peered once are moved to a different company. Rangers who are peered twice are dropped from the course. "Jones' squad peered him for being a Blue Falcon. "

peers. noun. Term for peer ratings, which are a Ranger student's evaluation by fellow students in their squad. "Mr. Rogers would have got a 100% on his peers, but he probably would have failed his patrols. "

pig. noun. Slang for the M-60 Machine Gun. "I carried the pig all the way here, and I 'II carry it all the way back. "

Platoon Ops. noun. Term for the four days of graded and non-graded platoon patrols during Darby. "Platoon Ops did not go so well ... we looked like extras from an Oliver Stone movie. "

Pogie Bait. noun. Slang for unauthorized food. "I got some pogie bait ... I'll sell a Mars bar for $100.00. "

Pogie Birds. noun. Florida Phase term for the helicopters piloted by Aviation aBC students. Pogie Birds transport the students in the middle of the Florida FTX. They are called Pogie Birds because the aBC students bring candy bars and other food and give them to Rangers to eat during the flight. The tradition started because of the Ranger's long tradition of recovering and protectingdowned pilots. "That Pogie Bird was incredible ... the pilot gave me a hot TV Dinner. "

postcard. noun. Slang for a Spot Report. "I got a postcard today for leaving my Ranger Handbook out.”

Pre-Ranger. noun. Term for the three weeks of training which National Guard soldiers receive at Fort Benning before attending the Ranger Course. " I went to the extended Ranger Course ... I went to Pre-Ranger. "

primary GO. noun. Term for passing a patrol as a Platoon Leader or Platoon Sergeant in any phase, or as a squad leader at Darby. Ranger students must receive at least one primary GO to graduate from the course. "I got my primary GO in the mountains ... 1was a Pl.for bay planning."

Punk Bunk, noun. Florida Phase term for Patrol Base. "Rangers, only 8,000 meters and 5 hours separate you from Punk Bunk. "

rack. noun. Slang for sleep. "Ranger Hoang. rack is no longer in your vocabulary. "

Ranger. noun. Term for a calm, forceful leader who can take any group of soldiers and, ill a short period of time, organize them into an effective fighting unit able to complete the mission under any condition. "He IS a Ranger .. he can do anything, even if he's never done it before."

Runge r Goggles. noun. Slang for tactical eyeglasses. "Ranger Hoang, those are some mighty thick Ranger Goggles ... I bet you can start afire with those things. "

Ranger Hands. noun. Term for a condition where the skin on the hands start to peel back fror» the fingernails due to exposure. "Lanolin will prevet't Ranger Hands. "

Ranger platoon. noun. Term for a unit consisting of 42 soldiers, organized into 3 Ranger squads, a Weapons Squad, Platoon Leader, Platoon Sergeant, and three RTO's. itA Ranger platoon is heavy on firepower and communications.”

Ranger squad. noun. Term for a unit consisting of 9 soldiers: a squadleader, and two teams, each containing a team leader, rifleman, automatic rifleman, and grenadier. Normally, a RTO and a weapons team consisting of an M-60 gunner, assistant gunner, and ammo bearer arc attached to each squad. "A Ranger squad with attachments is the basic unit for operations during Ranger School. "

Ranger Stakes. noun. Term for a series of Common Task tests conducted during the Ranger Assessment Phase. Students must pass a certain number of tests (two attempts are given for each task) to successfully complete Ranger Stakes. "I think Song might have trouble with Ranger Slakes ... he's from Singapore and has never seen an Jvf16 before. "

Ranger Student. noun. Term for the most miserable person in existence. "Hi. I'm serving my time in hell. 1 'm a Ranger Student. "

RAP. noun. Acronym for the Ranger Assessment Phase. RAP is the first six days of Ranger School, consisting of physical tests, a road march, a landnavigation test, and Ranger Stakes. Most students who fail do so during RAP. "I slept five hours during RAP -- total. "

recycle, noun. Term for someone who must repeat a phase due to a Board. Most students recycle due to failed patrols. verb. Term for repeating a phase. "We had so many recycles last phase, my platoon became a squad.”

refit. noun. Term for a resupply of food and chance to take a shower. "We returned to Garrison for a refit ... thank goodness, because I could smell my Ranger Buddy before I could smell him. "

RHB. noun. Acronym for the Ranger Handbook. "My RHB is my bible. " RI. noun. Acronym for Ranger Instructor. "I'm an Ri. L'm not God, but I'm the next best thing. "

RI Roulette. noun. Term used to describe the wide differences in RI's grading standards. "With RI Roulette, you never know who you'll get ... Santa Claus or a Tab Protector. "

RIP. noun. Term for training programs conducted by units to prepare and select soldiers for Ranger School. Hawaii is believed to have the most difficult RIP. "My RIP was so hard, I was looking forward to Ranger School so I could recover. "

ROTC Rappel. noun. Mountain Phase term for a really messed up rappel. "Now that was a ROTC Rappel ... I hope Williams can still have kids some day."

Roger. noun. Term meaning, "Yes" or "Understood." "Roger. "

rope corral. noun. Mountain Phase term for a circular rope suspended at chest level used to practice knots. "I learned a lot of kinky things in the rope corral. "

RTB. noun. Acronym for the Ranger Training Brigade. "RTB is your home now. You won't be going on vacation any lime soon." Santa Claus. noun. Term for an Rl who is a very easy grader. "Lucky for Johnson he got a Santa Claus. Most Rl's wouldn't overlook a lost pair of NVG's."

Sawdust Pit. noun. Term for the large, sawdust filled hand-to-hand combatives training area. "This is the Sawdust Pit. Prepare to beat and be beaten. "

scroll. noun. Term for a shoulder patch from one of the Ranger Battalions. "See the scroll on that RI? He-jumped into Panama. Too bad his chute opened. "

smoker. noun. Term for a long, difficult movement. 'That movement was a smoker '" we had J 5 fall-outs, including 2 Rl's. "

Snivel Gear. 1I0Ull. Term for any piece of equipment used to make life more comfortable. "Rangers, snivel gear does not exist. it is only a figment of your imagination. "

SORe noun. Acronym for Special Observation Report. An SOR is given for a gross error (losing a sensitive item, lying, stealing, insubordination) and normally results in a Day 1 Recycle or drop from the course. "For losing his /v/-60 during that last patrol, Reynolds has an SOR to look forward to. "

spoon. noun. Term for sharing body heat for warmth. "Despite the Army's 'Don 't Ask, Don 't Tell' policy, we spooned 10 survive. "

spot. noun. Term for spot report. "I got a spot today for leaving my weapon on 'fire '. "

spot report. noun. Term for a disciplinary award given during Ranger School. 3 Minor spot reports equal a Major spot report. Positive spot reports cancel out negative spot reports. A student can receive up to three major negative spot reports per phase before being boarded. A student can receive up to eight major negative spot reports during the entire course and graduate. 'The Rl's were giving out spot reports like candy ... I think they thought I had a sweet tooth. "

Spotlight Ranger. noun. Term for a student who only performs when under scrutiny from the RI' s. Also, a term for a student who is lazy except when they are being graded. "The only good Spotlight Ranger is a dead Spotlight Ranger. "

Squad Ops. noun. Term for the five days of graded and non-graded squad patrol operations during Darby. "We kicked butt during Squad Ops ... the Rl's called us the 'Dirty Dozen '. "

Stalag. noun. Term for the place where dropped students go before being released from Ranger School. "Lewis is in Stalag ... in a few days, he '11 be back ill the land of food, sleep, and freedom,"

Super Supper. noun. Term for the large meal presented by the Mess Hall at the end of the Mountain and Florida Phases. 'That Super Supper was incredible ... 1think I'm going to sleep for days. "

Swamp. noun. Term for the Florida Phase. "This is the Swamp. You will be wet. You will be hungry. You will be tired. We hope you enjoy your visit. "

Tub Protector, noun. Term for an RI who is a very hard grader. "That /U is such a Tab Protector ... 1 don't think Colonel Darby could have got a GOfrom him. "

Tabbed Out. adjective, verb. Term for meeting all graduation requirements. A Ranger who is "Tabbed Out' knows they will graduate. "The happiest day of my life was the day 1 'tabbed out'."

The Water. noun. Florida Phase term used to describe the swamp lanes and waterborne operations. "Rangers, tomorrow you enter The Water. Your feet will be hamburger. "

Triple Canopy. noun. Term used to describe the simultaneous wearing of Airborne, Ranger, and Special Forces tabs. "Yeah, that Rl has a triple canopy ... but is he a Master Fitness Trainer. That's what 1thought. "

two step drone. noun. Term for the stutter step taken by Ranger students when they fall asleep standing up. "Smith is getting pretty good at that two step drone. "

two-quart. noun. Term for the two-quart canteens carried by Ranger students. "Ranger Hoang, you will drink your entire two quart. 1want to see water coming out of your ears. "

Uppers. noun. Mountain Phase term for the two days of Upper Mountaineering' training held at Mount Yonah. "Welcome to Uppers. Don't fall. It's a long way down. "

wait-a-minute vines. noun. Term for the myriad of low-lying vines which will hamper a Ranger students movement. "Those wait-a-minute vines cost us an hour on that movement. "

weapons squad. noun. Term for the heavy weapons squad in a Ranger Platoon. It consists of a Weapons Squadleader and 3 M60 Machine-gun teams, each with a Gunner, Assistant Gunner, and Ammo Bearer. "Jones, you have to learn fire discipline while we're weapons squad. 1can't believe you used 300 rounds for a test fire,"

West Point Hookup. noun. Term for an improper rappel hookup. "Ranger Hoang, you must be a Second Lieutenant. ThaI is the third West Point hookup you've shown me today. "

Widowmal cr. noun. Florida Phase term for tall trees which sway dangerously low to the ground during high winds. "Rangers, watch those widowmakers. Your families and friends will not appreciate it if you lose a body part due to a lack of attention. "

Yonab. noun. Term for the two days of Upper Mountaineering training during Mountain Phase. Mount Yonah, at 3800 feet, is the tallest mountain in all of George. "Rangers, Yonah is the tallest mountain around ... you will agree with me by the lime we march to the top. "

Daily Ranger

Self Improvement

Transcript of Daily Ranger