Chapter 6Folly is joy to him who lacks sense, But a man of understanding walks straight.
(Proverbs 15:21)
I reported to the 2nd Ranger Battalion as a young Specialist. As I entered the orderly room, I got my first look at Ranger life. Two Platoon Sergeants were wrestling on the floor and the First Sergeant was sitting on the desk as the referee in the fight. Of course when I enter the room, I drew a lot of attention because I wasn’t wearing camouflaged ripstop fatigues (at that time only special operations units wore them as their duty uniform). My solid OD green appearance created a new scuffle between the two men on the floor. Which platoon sergeant would get the newbie? I was quickly escorted to my new room and told I would be starting the Ranger Indoctrination Program (RIP) in the morning. No sooner had I dropped my bags then my new Team Leader entered the room. “Do you smoke pot?” he asked abruptly. Of course what other answer would be appropriate in my new unit. And what a strange way to greet the new “wantabe.” NO, Sergeant” I replied standing at a rigid position of parade rest. He looked in to my eyes with the most serious look I have ever seen on a man’s face. In a low growl he said, “Well, if you nark on us, we’ll kill you.” And he walked out of the room. I was right back where I started. My geographical solution didn’t work.
Chapter 1: The Beginning
Chapter 2: Jesus is Watching You
Chapter 3: Paratrooper Religion
Chapter 4: Afraid of being Left Behind
Chapter 5: The Geographical Solution
Chapter 6: The Geographical Solution Fails
Chapter 7: The Seed is Planted
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