By Lt. Col. William Thurmond
FORT BENNING, Ga. (Army News Service, April 20, 2006) - As final preparations are underway here for tomorrow's 2006 Best Ranger competition, one Soldier looks on with more than just a little understanding of what 26 teams will embark upon at sunrise.
Sgt. First Class Gerald Nelson, who competed two times previously in the grueling 60-hour challenge, finally won his prize last spring. He, alongside his teammate Capt. Corbett F. McCallum, won the 2005 Best Ranger competition, edging out over 20 other teams in the process. Their team represented Benning's-own 4th Ranger Training Battalion.
He is on hand this year as a coach for one of the two-man teams, sharing his wisdom in the hopes that two more Rangers can benefit from his hard-earned experience.
Nelson knows this competition is among the most grueling in the Army. Competitors will cover about 70 miles of ground in the course of the three-day event, sleeping and eating rarely if at all.
Asked why anyone would put themselves through such an ordeal, Nelson noted that among many Soldiers who pursue the coveted Ranger tab, there persists a desire to go even further in their quest to see who's the best of the very best.
"Once you're Ranger qualified, then you have to look for something else. This competition pits you against all the best Rangers in the Army. I love to compete, so here I am."
More than physical strength Competitors are required to be qualified Rangers, having completed one of the most strenuous leadership courses in the Army. But attempting this trial is a step beyond even that challenge, according to Nelson.
"A Best Ranger has to have heart, mental toughness, and the ability to push themselves further than they ever thought was possible. It takes a lot more than just physical strength."
Reflecting on his past attempts and his winning effort, Nelson stressed the importance of teamwork during the competition.
"Rangers never leave anyone behind," said Nelson. "So in this competition, your buddy represents all the other Soldiers you'll be fighting alongside with on the battlefield. The two of you have to get through everything together."
For Nelson and McCallum, the road to victory began in the dead of winter, months before the first event.
"This is not something you just jump into. My 2005 partner and I started in January and trained right up to the competition in late April. 70 pounds, 70 miles Nelson and McCallum trained six days a week, walking or running anywhere from 25 to 45 miles-per-day.
They also focused on tuning-up for some of the difficult skills challenges, such as obstacle courses, marksmanship and land navigation.
"On our (so called) recovery days, we"d still put in over 18 or 20 miles running or road marching," said
Nelson.
Coming through Ranger school you learn a lot about yourself. You learn that you can push your mind and your body further than you though it possibly could be done."
For the team he's coaching, and all current and future challengers, Nelson says that preparation essentially boils down to toughening-up the body and the mind.
"Train hard and get yourself prepared to handle carrying a 70-pound rucksack on your back for 60 to 80 miles."
As workers staked out the starting lines and walked the course for the last time prior to Saturday's start, Nelson acknowledged a special bond he shares with all his fellow Best Ranger competitors -- past, present and future.
"I respect them for showing up and being able to finish."
Best Ranger competition
| Date Taken: | 04.24.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 04.24.2006 12:57 |
| Story ID: | 6091 |
| Location: | FORT BENNING, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 233 |
| Downloads: | 33 |
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