82nd Airborne Division Ranger school graduates

FORT BRAGG, NC, UNITED STATES

10.31.2019

Story by Sgt. Solomon Abanda 

1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division Public Affairs

FORT BRAGG, N.C. – Last week, the 82nd Airborne Division added five more Rangers to it’s ranks. 1st Lt. Nicolaus Solari of 1-504th PIR, 1st Brigade Combat Team, Spc. Tristan Allen of 1-325th PIR, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, Pfc. Louise Loeffelman of 3rd Squadron 73rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Brigade Combat Team and Pfc. Andrew Noce of 1-325th PIR, 2nd Brigade Combat Team. Their graduation ceremony was held Oct. 25, 2019 at Fort Benning, Georgia.
1st Lt. Cheshire Shawn the executive officer of 1-504th PIR, 1BCT said, The Army Ranger Course is one of the toughest training courses for which a Soldier can volunteer in the Army. Army Rangers are experts in leading Soldiers on difficult missions. To do this, they need rigorous training. This nine-week course seeks to develop leaders who are proficient in leading squad and platoon dismounted operations in all climates and terrain. Candidates go through the rigorous and challenging process, which forces them to learn more about themselves and their ability to persevere, despite adversity.
“I knew the best thing to do as far as being an infantryman was to attend Ranger School,” said Pfc. Noce. “Ranger School gave me the opportunity to improve myself and become a better infantryman.”
Spc. Tristan and Pfc. Noce, both infantrymen from 2nd Brigade Combat Team, can testify to how challenging Ranger School is and how it has changed and molded them into better leaders.
“Going through Ranger school, I learned a lot about leadership and came up with a list of tasks and training I will like to improve when I get back to Fort Bragg,” Said Spc. Tristan “and I believe it will make my team and the Brigade better.”
Spc. Tristan described the three phases students go through in Ranger school in order to become better leaders.
The Benning phase is designed to assess a Soldier's physical stamina and mental toughness, and it establishes the tactical fundamentals.
The Mountain phase is where students receive instruction on military mountaineering tasks and techniques for employing a platoon for continuous combat patrol operations.
The Florida phase continues the development of the Ranger students in combat arms functional skills.
After these phases, Ranger candidates are proficient in leading squad and platoon dismounted operations in all climates and terrain. Said Spc. Tristan.
1st Lt. Shawn said, Ranger school is challenging but can be accomplished if you simply don’t quit. Most people think Ranger school is all about being physically fit and though. It is not. I learned more about my mental aptitude than my physical abilities.

• Date Taken: 10.31.2019
• Date Posted: 01.13.2021 06:26
• Story ID: 350076
• Location: FORT BRAGG, NC, US
• Hometown: FAYETTEVILLE, NC, US