CONCORD, N.H. – Pvt. Matthew Scaccia stood at the open door of C-130 Hercules aircraft, looking toward the ground below. As the first Soldier out of the aircraft, Scaccia felt a mix of emotions.
The final leap into the air did more than fulfill a training requirement; it marked the end of a grueling training track spanning infantry One Station Unit Training, Ranger School, and Airborne School.
“It’s this sickly mix of anxiety and excitement,” said Scaccia, an infantryman assigned to Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment, New Hampshire Army National Guard. “You’re like, ‘Oh, this is so awesome, I’m about to jump out of an aircraft.’”
For a junior enlisted Soldier, the accomplishment is significant.
“An entry level Soldier completing the course without being recycled speaks volumes to the type of Soldier Pvt. Scaccia is and the character he possesses,” said Lt. Col. Brooks Hayward, commander of the 941st Military Police Battalion.
Scaccia wanted to join the Army for years. After graduating from Londonderry High School, he worked as a carpenter while considering when to enlist.
Eventually, he realized he would regret not serving.
“I knew, in the back of my mind this is something I’m gonna regret not doing,” Scaccia said. “So I’m gonna do it. And I figured if I’m gonna do it, I should take it all the way.”
Sgt. 1st Class Isabella Igoe, Scaccia’s recruiter, recognized his determination from their first meeting.
“He came in knowing exactly what he wanted, doing his research before our initial appointment,” Igoe said. “Not many people come in that prepared and that motivated.”
Scaccia knew he wanted to become an infantryman and pursue Ranger School. Before enlisting, he took time to prepare himself physically for the challenge.
Ranger School then tested that preparation, pushing Scaccia physically and mentally while requiring him to lead Soldiers under pressure.
“It’s gonna challenge your ability to decide not to quit and stick to it, to commit to a goal,” Scaccia said. “It’s gonna challenge your ability to be a leader.”
Scaccia said one of his biggest lessons was that earning a ranger tab is not an individual accomplishment.
“You have limited energy, you have to choose when to use it,” Scaccia said. “When your buddy becomes squad leader, you gotta do what’s best for them, so when it’s your turn to lead, they do their best for you, your go depends on them.”
He doesn’t credit himself for this incredible feat. Now, Scaccia is returning to New Hampshire with new skills, experience and a greater understanding of leadership.
“It wasn’t all me,” said Scaccia. “It was my family. It was the guys that were in my squad, in my platoon. I really owe it to other people.”
For Scaccia, the schools were an opportunity to challenge himself. Now, he is ready to bring what he learned back home and put it to work alongside the Soldiers counting on him. His next goal is to put what he learned into practice and become the best infantryman he can be.
“The person to your left and your right is counting on you,” Scaccia said. “You don’t get your tab without your squad”.
Hayward said Scaccia’s experience will benefit more than just himself.
“Soldiers who have completed the course and earned the tab elevate the overall professionalism of the entire unit,” Hayward said. “They serve as not only an incredible source of knowledge for their team but as a great example and inspiration to the entire unit, especially the junior Soldiers.”