Today’s blog hit your inbox as the Change of Responsibilities ceremony began for 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Ga. The event marks the transition of senior noncommissioned officer leadership of the nation’s premier light-infantry force from Command Sgt. Major Curt Donaldson to Command Sgt. Maj. Brett Johnson.
“Where much is given, much is expected.” Nowhere is that more true than the Ranger Regiment. That is why Ranger alumni flocked to the southwest part of Georgia this week to “touch the magic” that is the Ranger Regiment and to thank Curt and wish Brett well.
Rangers value leadership. In fact, leadership – not success on the battlefield – is considered by many as the reason there is a Ranger Regiment. Ranger Regiment produces a statistically significant portion of the Army’s warfighting leaders, considering the unit’s size.
An individual’s higher calling to leadership is ingrained in the minds of potential Rangers from the minute they set foot inside the Ranger training area. In the fourth stanza of the Ranger Creed, a Ranger is required “set the example for others to follow.”
Think about that for a moment. A young American with the desire to serve as a Ranger must not only be dedicated to routinely brutal mental and physical performance assessments, they must set the example for others to follow. Make the right choice – the hard right over the easy wrong, again, again, and again. If you do it correctly, you get to stay. If not, well, there is a big Army waiting for you.
The celebration of Curt and Brett makes sense. Here are two warriors that do it right with all eyes upon them to set the example. It can be a burden. It can also be a transformational opportunity.
Reflecting on the moments week has provided, I was overcome by the way that God revealed his true character and his depth of love for us. I can go on and on about the best qualities of those with whom I’ve served in my beloved Ranger Regiment and how their example shaped so many.
Never has the design of God to send his Son, Jesus Christ, in human flesh been more apparent than this week. God sent us “an example for others to follow.”
God knows we need to see what right looks like if we choose to follow Him, to see someone who was able to show resolve in the midst of challenges, to show compassion and understanding to those who think and live differently, and a means to find forgiveness for our imperfections.
Thank God for knowing we needed an example and for sending us Jesus.
Build your house on the Rock.
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