Why I Decided to Join the 75th Ranger Regiment

Why I decided to become an Airborne Ranger

Throughout the ages men have organized themselves into tribes. A young man desiring entry into the tribe would have to accomplish a myriad of grueling, daring, or painful tasks in order to prove his capability and worthiness. Only upon successful completion of his task, was he granted admittance. In this instance the tribe would gain a valuable new member, and the new member would gain admittance to a tribe of experienced men who would contribute to his growth and value as a man. This is called a rite of passage, and it is a ritual that unfortunately has fallen by the wayside. In the modern age of consumerism, inclusiveness and toxic masculinity, the idea of the tribe or warrior band has become unpopular. We are force fed the “we must include everyone, everyone is a winner” mentality. Our values have shifted. Boys get older, yet never grow into real men, nowadays we are taught more about cosmetics than we are about courage, and we are more familiar with the life of Kim Kardashian than we are with the life of Achilles.

I joined the 75th Ranger Regiment because I wanted to earn a rite of passage into an elite tribe of men, a tribe of men with a legacy of courage, excellence, and prowess in battle, a tribe of men who would constantly push me to reach my fullest potential, and who would not accept weakness or mediocrity from me. This is what the 75th Ranger Regiment offers, and that is why I am here.

“Life is really a battle, for this reason those who are tossed about at sea, who proceed uphill and downhill over toilsome crags and heights, who go on campaigns that bring the greatest danger, are heroes and front rank fighters, but persons who live in rotten luxury and ease while others toil are mere turtle doves, safe only because men despise them.” Seneca