Back Into The Real World

Dear Friends,

I can say with confidence that I am almost 100% adapted back into the real world after Ranger School. I no longer wake up at 0400 in the morning thinking that I have to pull security, my body is slowly remembering what it's like to be slightly in shape, and being around civilians isn't quite as surreal as it was at first. I'm currently in the Javelin gunner's course which is a good, easy class for me right now. My mind, however, is definitely on the future and the many possibilities. Most of my buddies that I've gone through training with are leaving within the next month or are already leaving. There is a climate of "moving on" at my apartment. My roommates and I all like being able to hang out again like we did during IOBC, but we are also eager to start the jobs we joined the Army to do. Many of my classmates from ROTC are already over in Iraq and Afghanistan. It's tough to explain to people who aren't in the Army, but when you have friends over fighting a war you can't help but want to get over there with them for no other reason than just wanting to share the experience with them. Anyway, I hope you all have a good Easter weekend and take care! I'll be relaxing down here in Georgia where the weather is still cool/calm at night and warm/sunny during the day.

What's Next?

Dear Friends,

I have to say that these past few days have been exactly what I needed. My parents left Saturday morning, and since then I've just been getting back into shape (a long, painful road), watching movies, and relaxing. Today, however, I've had to go back to work...work for me right now consists of the occasional odd job, group PT in the morning, and showing up for formations a couple times every day. Until I sign up for another course, my supervisors give me as much time as I need to take of the little things that have been neglected for the past months like car registration, dentist appointments, and filing taxes. I'm trying to b e efficient with my time rather than wasting it away.

In the end I have almost no idea what the next 2 months will entail. I may leave GA in 2 weeks, or I may stay here until April 30. I may also try to work up in the Wheaton area for a little in April. Either way I will try to keep everyone up to date. Also,

A Ranger...By the Power of Prayer

Dear Friends,

This Friday I will finally meet the biggest career goal of my life so far...graduating from Ranger School. Some of you may already know a lot about my experience either through my parents or talking to me over Christmas, but here's a brief summary. My starting weight was 180 lbs/ low weight was 155 lbs/ and peak weight was 195 lbs as I tried to fatten up during Florida recycle status. Right now I'm acutally pretty healthy and not nearly as beat up as I was over Christmas Break. I look forward to running/jogging starting this Saturday rather than walking around wtih 80 lbs on my back. As I mentioned I recycled Florida Phase the first time which had me waiting around in limbo for 3.5 weeks between classes. Recycling was tough to stomach, but looking back I realize that I learned more through recycling than all the rest of Ranger School combined. In retrospect, every phase was challenging for me. Ranger School was definately not a time to shine with my abilities. I feel that God chose to teach humility and reliance on Him instead. I had to battle through injuries in the Benning Phase, extreme physical fatigue in Mountain Phase, and mental stress/failure in Florida Phase. In the end, however, I feel that prayer is what brought me through. My family, friends, and fellow Ranger buddies carried me through daily. It seemed that I was always encouraged at the right times especially during this final Florida Phase when God provided me with a group of 4 guys who got together daily and prayed for each other. Not surprisingly all of us are now graduating.

Anyway, I look forward to hearing from everyone, and I have to thank you all for the letters and support you gave me. You'll probably never know in this life just how specifically you affected me. There were many days out in the field when a rain-soaked letter brightened my eyes. I'll be sure to update again soon on what my future plans are. As of right now, though, I'm just ready to pin on that tab. Bye!