Years ago, as a young soldier assigned to the 1st Ranger Battalion, I attended the Army's Ranger School. This course is one of the toughest training environments offered by the Army. The purpose of the course is to prepare officers and enlisted Soldiers in combat arms related functional skills.
Ranger Training
Ranger training was established in 1950 at Fort Benning, Georgia, and has changed little since its beginning.
How long is Ranger School?
Well, the course is eight weeks divided into three phases. It is mentally and physically grueling. Historically, the graduation rate is about 50%. This is especially high given that most of the attendees have gone through intensive preparation before their arrival at the course.
Where is Ranger School?
The U.S. Army Ranger School location is different for each of the three phases - the first is conducted at Fort Benning Georgia. The second phase, or the "Mountain Phase," is conducted in Dahlonega, Georgia, in the Appalachian Mountains. The third phase, or "Swamp Phase," is conducted in the Florida panhandle at Eglin Airforce base.
How hard is Army Ranger School?
 Ranger School is arguably the most difficult training course the Army has to offer. The combination of academic stress, from the requirement to pass leadership practical tests, the strenuous physical demands of the training, and the grueling lack of food and sleep, the course is truly a "beast."
Following the completion of Ranger School, a student will usually find himself in very poor physical condition. Ranger School's toll is equivalent to years of natural aging. High levels of stress, sleep deprivation, and undernourishment, along with continual physical strain, take a tremendous toll on the mind and body.
Stress
My Experience
What Did I Learn About Stress?
How Can We Use These Insights in Business?
Final Thoughts
As a young Ranger I experienced the stress that Ranger School put on me as a way to learn how to recognize the symptoms of stress and to handle stressful environments and situations. You can use these same skills and techniques in your business roles. The ability to do so will make you a fierce competitor that can prevail when times get tough.
Use These Principles in Your Business
Asymmetric, led by former Army Delta Force operator and corporate executive, Mark Hope, can help you implement these ideas in your business. You can contact Mark by email at mark.hope@asymmetric.pro, or by telephone at +1 866-389-4746, or you can schedule a complimentary strategy discussion by clicking here. You can read all of his articles on Medium.
Mark Hope
Mark A. Hope is a co-founder and Partner of Asymmetric Marketing – a unique agency specializing in building high-performing sales and marketing systems, campaigns, processes, and strategies for small businesses. Asymmetric has extensive experience with organizations across many industry segments. If you would like some help in implementing ideas like these in this article, feel free to give Mark a call at 844-494-6903 or by email at mark.hope@asymmetric.pro. Read Mark's other work on Medium.
Thanks Mark, all great observations…one reflection relating to coping with stress and leadership skills:
RI has the patrol shake a tree so that the temporarily mis-oriented patrol Leader can locate them on his picto-map. Humor is a great stress reliever. And when it is shared it builds the team also.
I forgot about the old “shake a tree and look for it on the map” drill. Funny stuff. And, you are right, humor plays a huge role in managing stress (and enjoying life). Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Mark
Hello Mark, I read your article because a good friend of mine has his son, Chris, in Ranger School right now and it has intrigued me to learn about it. I am 56 and the mother of 2 young adults who could be doing this alongside Chris. As a child, unknown stress shaped my life and has emphasized my being a sensitive person. I somehow manage to keep stress as low as possible and readily avoid things that create miserable stress. I have always seen myself as strong, strong in knowing what works best for me. As a result, I’ve always admired people who can manage stress. My kids have had stress but not the traumatic kind I had. I wonder if they could handle Ranger School since they have had a mother that always emphasized the, and empathized with, the hard things in life…or is it a matter of one’s mental makeup? Of course, as their mother my guesses: My daughter would hate Ranger School but would probably make it because she can’t readily quit things. My son would enjoy ranger school and probably pass but he is 6’6″ and 160 lbs and quite physcially strong. I am thinking injury and illness are reasons why these well prepared people cannot all make it.