Ranger Graduation

Aaron has been away at Ranger school for the past two and a half months. The school is located at Fort Benning, GA. He was sweating to death while I was shivering!

The school is broken up in 3 phases: Benning Phase, Mountain Phase and Swamp Phase. This is by no means an easy school so I am not only really proud of him for graduating but proud that he never got recycled. You can pass the first phase and fail the second causing you to redo the whole phase. Not fun.

He started out with 374 people in his class and only 89 soldiers made it through without recycling. See, I told you I was PROUD! This is pretty normal. They say that usually only 20% of every class makes it through the first time around. By the end their were 157 in his graduating class. They pick up people along the way who have been recycled at some phase.

Before the graduation ceremony there is a show put on by the Rangers to help with families/friends understand more about what the Rangers will be asked to do. It was pretty neat to watch.

Here are just a few pictures from their demonstration:


Here are a few pictures from the graduation ceremony:

Saluting the flag at the start of the ceremony.

Aaron stood up front because he was given a Leadership award that was voted on by his peers.

Me, trying to pin on his Ranger tab. Not an easy feat in itself!

I was/am so proud of him. I love this man!

Lots of family traveled down to celebrate Aaron's graduation!

In case you are curious, here are some video clips of what they learn/do in each phase:

Phase I: click here
Phase II: click here
Phase III: click here

I didn't mention the whole Ranger school thing on the blog before this because he asked me not too. He wanted to make it through first! I can respect that. Who needs the pressure?!

I had a great time visiting friends in NC on my way to Fort Benning, GA. Although, the 100(+) temps did take a little getting used!