Ranger graduate receives III Corps CSM coin … and more

Photo By Kimberly Hackbarth | Command Sgt. Maj. Arthur Coleman Jr., the III Corps command sergeant major, shakes the hand of Staff Sgt. Jorge Fabian, a squad leader with Company C, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, during a coin presentation here May 10. Fabian, a Mendoza, Argentina native, received a coin for his determination and commitment to graduating Ranger School and passing his knowledge to lower-enlisted Soldiers in his unit who also hope to attend Ranger School.  

CAMP TAJI, IRAQ

05.13.2010

Story by Pfc. Kimberly Hackbarth 

4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Stretcher. Military Police. Tab.

Those were the only three ways Staff Sgt. Jorge Fabian said he would leave Ranger School.

It was his dedication to his personal goal and his ability to share what he learned while pursuing that goal which placed Fabian in front of Command Sgt. Maj. Arthur Coleman Jr., the III Corps command sergeant major, during Coleman's visit to Camp Taji May 10.

Fabian, a squad leader with Company C, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, stood in formation with nine other standout 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division Soldiers, to receive a coin for excellence.

"I believe you can make yourself better by surrounding yourself with people smarter than you and better than you, so when [Command Sgt. Maj. Coleman] shook my hand and gave me my coin, it came with great honor," said Fabian.

Coleman noted the exceptional nature of Fabian's accomplishment, especially at his age, combined with his willingness to share his knowledge with lower-enlisted Soldiers.

"He's a 40-year-old staff sergeant that went to Ranger School late [in his life,] which obviously says something about him as an individual," said Coleman. "It says something about him as far as his training and also says that he wants to continue to give at a higher level. He's going to help [his battalion] out immensely."

Fabian's journey began when he immigrated to the United States in 1982 from Mendoza, Argentina, joining the Army in 2004.

Two years into his military career, he set for himself a major goal when he decided he wanted to earn a Ranger tab.

In order to get the tab, which is worn on the upper left shoulder of the uniform, signifying completion of the intense course, Fabian had to make sacrifices and overcome numerous challenges.

On his first attempt, Fabian was pulled out of Ranger School because his unit was deploying to Iraq.

That didn't stop him his second time when 4th SBCT, 2nd Inf. Div. was accelerated by nine months and he received orders to deploy to Iraq in the fall of 2009.

Fabian obtained permission to deploy late, attend Ranger School and finally get a chance to earn his Ranger tab.

But in November, at the height of his training, he faced another challenge - unexpected complications with the birth of his daughter.

Born with a heart condition, his daughter required emergency surgery and, tragically, died 14 days after her birth.

"I was so determined to finish school, no matter what, that I never got to meet my daughter," said Fabian, his voice cracking with emotion. "It was a very high price to pay for the tab that I wear today."

Fabian graduated Ranger School in December 2009 and proudly wore his tab to Iraq, where he reunited in March with his unit and immediately began operations.

The same month, Fabian and another Ranger School graduate decided to put what they learned to use and prepare Ranger-hopefuls in the company with a pre-Ranger School course.

The course covers everything from hand and arm signals to how to keep accountability of men, weapons and equipment, and conducting missions such as raids; all things Fabian said he believes are important in Ranger School.

"Ranger school doesn't teach you how to kill somebody with a stick, but it does teach you how to lead and how to take care of Soldiers," said Fabian.

Fabian even offered to help his Soldiers with paperwork needed to apply to Ranger School.

"I'm trying to do everything for them except putting a tab on their shoulders," said Fabian. "I learned from my hard times what I need to help these guys."

It's not enough for Fabian to push the Soldiers, he said. They need to truly want it themselves.

"How far do you want to push yourself when you're hungry, tired, you've been up for two weeks with 45 minutes of sleep, two MREs a day," said Fabian. "I can't teach a man heart; they either have it or they don't have it."

Through everything, Fabian gave his whole heart and ended up receiving praise from the command sergeant major, a position he hopes to hold one day.

"[Coleman's words were] short and precise, but it's something I will keep forever," said Fabian. "I will never forget today."

• Date Taken: 05.13.2010
• Date Posted: 05.13.2010 11:35
• Story ID: 49592
• Location: CAMP TAJI, IQ