odell writes "
"I woke up in my fox hole in a cold sweat. I had a nightmare that I was still in Ranger School. Thank God I was in Vietnam. Compared to Ranger School, combat was easy." It is comments like these from people such as COL Robert "Tex" Turner, United States Army, Retired, Former Ranger Department Commander, and honorary Ranger Training Brigade Commander, that have enblazoned a mystique about the Army's premiere small unit tactics and leadership school. Other horror stories that just about every graduate will talk about is losing 25 pounds, only getting 2 hours sleep a night, and eating 1 meal a day.

As a former Operations Officer and current Executive Officer of 6th Ranger Training Battalion, the final of phase of Ranger School located in Eglin AFB, Florida, I can tell you with all honesty, 85% or more...

...of the above is true - you will lose weight, you will be challenged mentally and physically and pushed to your limit to replicate the

stressors of combat as best as we can in a training environment. I can also tell you that you will get plenty of sleep if you plan and execute properly, and you will eat at least 2 meals a day. So, does that give you confidence to take on the challenge. Let me continue to enlighten you.

It is true that only about 50% of those who start Ranger School actually graduate - but did you know that the majority of that percentage takes place during the 1st week of the course? It's true. Show up well hydrated and mentally and physically ready and you have beaten the odds. Don't believe the hype that the PT test is rigged or the Ranger Instructor (RI) is out to fail you - they aren't - as a matter of fact - that is probably the most closely monitored PT Test you will receive in your entire military career as the entire chain of command (Company Commander to the Fort Benning Commanding General or Deputy Commanding General) is observing and/or participating in the test. Then comes the water confidence test, land navigation, and buddy run. Survive all of that, and the percentage of graduates jumps to approximately 92%. Yes, approximately 92% who complete the first week of Ranger School will graduate.

After the first week, it's all academic and leadership. Don't look for the answer to the test as there is no answer because there's no test. All the RI wants to see you do is make a plan, execute the plan violently, demonstrate your leadership, and complete the mission in accordance with doctrine and tactics that you already know or will have learned. Think back to your ROTC and OBC cadre saying "what are you going to do now PL?" - it's the same except the RI isn't asking you, he's just observing. And for goodness sake, don't forget to eat. Most Ranger Students are so busy trying to check a block that doesn't exist and think that if they run around and look busy, that they must be doing something right and they don't eat. They think they can tough it out for the 24 hours or so they will be in charge...well, during the summer in Florida, they are the ones we MEDEVAC out of the field due to dehydration or worse. A leader must budget his time and ensure he takes care of his soldiers and HIMSELF. About the only thing you may do that you would not have learned while in ROTC and re-emphasized in your basic course are the camp specific items such as mountaineering and boat operations. Further, when you get to Florida, you will call in real world MEDEVAC aircraft for casualty extractions, control AC-130 aircraft when available and bring them on target, and control Close Combat Aviation including AH-64s and OH-58Ds - all of which will be taught to you in a non-threatening block of instruction.

That is Ranger School in a nutshell - come mentally and physically prepared, ensure you are well hydrated and keep hydrated and eat - even during the winter classes, survive the 1st week, don't quit, pay attention during your classroom instructions, be a team player, display leadership abilities and make a decision that is doctrinally and tactically sound and you are on your way to the coveted black and gold Ranger Tab.

Best of luck and Rangers Lead The Way!

Major Odell A. Graves is a 1989 graduate from Wright State University where he received a Regular Army Commission in the Infantry. He has served as a bradley platoon leader (to include during Operation Desert Shield/ Storm), scout platoon leader, company executive officer, and commanded two companies in the 101st ABN DIV (AASLT) - one being the Army's only tactical Pathfinder Company. He has also served as a Commandant at the major rank, various staff officer positions to include brigade logistics officer during Operation Enduring Freedom, battalion executive officer during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operations Officer and currently Executive Officer in the 6th Ranger Training Battalion.