What are some of your best Fort Benning stories?

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 04:39:07 -0400

I leave for Basic Training and my attempt at becoming an Airborne Ranger (yes, I have the contract on paper) soon, and I wanted to hear any stories you may have from your time at Benning (Basic Training, specialty schools, station, Ranger training, etc...).

Response by SPC Jonathan Sellers made Aug 22 at 2015 4:48 AM

SPC Jonathan Sellers — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 04:48:42 -0400

Atomic situp is the best way to get in shape for the "gut checks" you will be facing. Do them frequently and make sure to get some volunteers to help you.

Response by PVT Robert Gresham made Aug 22 at 2015 7:12 AM

PVT Robert Gresham — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 07:12:44 -0400

PVT Private RallyPoint Member You are going to find that even though you joined an all volunteer Army, there are going to be a few that just don't want to be there. Don't let yourself get sucked into that type of mindset. Do what you are told, when you are told. Don't be tempted to "bend the rules, just a little bit". Your definition of "bend" my be an instructor's excuse to "fail" you.

The Army is exactly what you make out of it. You are going to be doing some of the most difficult training that the Army has to offer, but if you have the inner strength, the drive, and the will to win, you can certainly earn that coveted Ranger tab.

Oh, and you might want to exactly read, and learn, the words on the following page:
http://www.army.mil/values/ranger.html

Sua Sponte !! All the best of luck to you !!!

Response by SSG Jamil Spruill made Aug 22 at 2015 7:20 AM

SSG Jamil Spruill — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 07:20:44 -0400

Right Uniform, Right Location, Right Time, this is all you need to know and always motivated and diciplined. Set yourself up for advancement early in your career. Max out correspondence courses, score high or max on PT Test and Range Qualifications, stand out from your peers and start civilian education early, the new point system will be focused around individual improvements not so much deployments and high speed hooah hooah training.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2015 9:33 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 09:33:32 -0400

My best Ft Benning story? Once upon a time at Ft Benning, I never had to go there. And they all lived happily ever after. The end.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2015 9:52 AM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 09:52:23 -0400

As much as I try to forget the traumatic experience, I can NEVER forget. I was in nursing school and a ROTC member. I signed up for the SMP through the local guard unit and went to basic at Benning. E-258, Hells Kitchen on Sand Hill. I was 25 and the rest of my platoon was 17-20. Guess who was the platoon guide right of the bat? Those kids couldn't even tie their boots let alone make their bed and organize their foot lockers. LOL. Look at them now now!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2015 10:52 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 10:52:23 -0400

Benning is like a bad ex for me. While I am there I hate her then I leave only to come back again. The next time I will be there will be fore my Captain Career Course. But it isn't all that bad. I am hoping to get a gig down there next year. I did have the same contract you did when I enlisted in 2000. The only issue was that they only needed three 11Bs. So I ended up in a Long Range Surveillance Company. I like it there. Best of luck. I hope you are ready for some of the worst days of your life.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2015 12:04 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 12:04:44 -0400

Best story? We had a guy in my Platoon at D 3/47 who moved like pond water. His name was PFC Snead. One morning Snead is moving slower than usual. Everyone else is dressed, standing toe-to-line, and waiting for the DS. The DS walks over to Snead's bunk and finds him still putting pants on. We hear him yell: "Snead you move like two old people @#$%ing. SLOW! Hurry the @#$% up. "

The moral of the story? Move with a purpose. You're going to run everywhere at Ranger school anyways.

Response by SPC Kevin Campbell Lopez made Aug 22 at 2015 1:42 PM

SPC Kevin Campbell Lopez — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 13:42:19 -0400

Once you're there, finish what you started. Reception is the hardest week, if you get past that, the rest is easier. I was at Benning for 3 months. I was recycled back to Day 2 and demoted for something stupid (fired into the clearing barrel while clearing :p). I came with the most minimal stamina and fitness standards. I could barely do pushups when I began. By the time I graduated, I could do AIT fitness standards (60%) and run 2 miles without stopping. If you can do it, so can I. The biggest pain in the ass: kids. I underwent BCT when I turned 21. Most of my fellow soldiers were under 20. The one's that pissed me off the most were the older ones, late 20's, who acted like kids...ugh.

Keep your head straight! Avoid injuries and stretch! You'll remember BCT for the rest of your life :)

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2015 3:53 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 15:53:14 -0400

It's funny and trying times, it will be a bigger challenge not to strangle another soldier in your bct, than it is to graduate

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2015 1:51 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 13:51:53 -0400

Once you are at RASP I, never say hooah! It should always be Roger that Sergeant!

IF YOU SAY HOOAH YOU'LL GET FUCKED UP!

Forget what you were taught a new about the army, your training to become an airborne Ranger.

Learn the Ranger creed. Know it inside and out. Always have your buddies back, always attempt to carry more than you can, don't fucking quit, never quit. You are your own worst enemy.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2015 1:59 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 13:59:22 -0400

Enjoy banning. You will leave a lot. Stay open minded and be like a sponge. Drill sergeants are there to help and mentor you. Do what you are told and nothing more and nothing less. Don't bring attention to yourself. RASP will be fun if you make t that way. Don't o in with the mindset that this is gonna suck. Also enjoy airborne. It is a great time and one day you can become a Jumpmaster. Enjoy yourself.

Response by CPL David Martin made Aug 24 at 2015 3:04 PM

CPL David Martin — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 15:04:22 -0400

One of my stories from Basic: One of my DS was from Puerto Rico. He called himself the "PRIC"(pronounced prick) which stood for Puerto Ricon In Charge! LOL. Of course, we could not call him a prick...

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2015 7:15 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 19:15:12 -0400

Do it right the first time, or you may not get the chance to do it again. Take yourself and your training seriously. Get the job done and good luck.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2015 7:17 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 19:17:47 -0400

Be in the right place, at the right time and in the right uniform. Give a damn and pay attention to the instructors. They're not doing this for themselves, they're doing it for you and they have plenty of knowledge and experience for you to glean. Max your PT, listen to your NCOs and learn from them, and pursue civilian education. Godspeed brother.

Response by SGT(P) Harry Clyde Jr. made Aug 25 at 2015 10:02 PM

SGT(P) Harry Clyde Jr. — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 22:02:46 -0400

Dont necessarily believe all the stories you hear especially the bad ones.
Look at it as an experience of a life time and enjoy it. Absorb what you learn and if you fall, smile in the face of adversity and get back up and say this wont beat me. Youll run into clowns throughout your training and tough guys as well. Ignore them and dont let them bring you down.
I have a few funny stories but I dont want to cloud your experience.
Ive been on benning twice. First in 90 for Airborne school then again in 06 working as the HHC Supply Sgt supporting all the branches and two schools retiring in 10. After which I went to work for B 1/50 Infantry OSUT. Best story as a positive was on one rotation we received an overweight kid who was picked on. By the end of 14 weeks he was slim and trim and one of the best. He pushed himself for his platoon and for himself. Never underestimate anyone. I now work forvthe Marine Detachment. A different world.
Airborne school, have faith in your training and equipment, feet and knees together, eyes open and enjoy the ride and dont worry about the fear of the jump. I was nervous on all 78 of mine.
I will quote my father on two things. Hes a retired vietnam vet, infantryman and paratrooper.
"Any one who says they are not nervous jumping out of an aircraft is either a f...ing liar or doesnt velong on that aircraft"
"Do what your told, keep your mouth shut and brush your teeth!"
Enjoy the experience. I wont say good luck. Its not luck, its perseverance.
Enjoy.
Sherlock out!

Response by SPC Mara Manzer (Spurgin) made Oct 3 at 2015 8:22 PM

SPC Mara Manzer (Spurgin) — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 20:22:43 -0400

when you go to jump school listen to everything the black hats tell you to do. Absolutely do not count your chickens before they are hatched because if the instructors think that you already feel like you have it all in the bag they will ride your ass to make you fail. Keep your head down, look out for the guy to your right and to your left, and absolutely pay attention to detail.

Response by SPC Mara Manzer (Spurgin) made Oct 3 at 2015 8:27 PM

SPC Mara Manzer (Spurgin) — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 20:27:14 -0400

Some advice for when you can finally go off post... Avoid Victory Drive and the Chickesaw... AKA The Pick-a-slut

Response by SGT Raymond Chavez made Dec 18 at 2016 7:56 AM

SGT Raymond Chavez — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 07:56:21 -0500

The best times not on a Malone range was the three hour pass on Sunday to go to harmony church for three hours..hear some good news of what ever denomination you want to hear an then stuffing my face with pizza an candy bars while playing pool

Response by Lt Col Kurtis Sutley made Dec 22 at 2016 10:54 AM

Lt Col Kurtis Sutley — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 10:54:23 -0500

While senior brigade ALO for 3/24 Inf. Div (Mech) I left the unit for two weeks leave. My deputy, an ambitious and resourceful Capt. coordinated for the Homestead F-16s to do a practice ORI mission dropping bombs on the Benning range the day after I returned. Off to the OP we went to control the Lawn Darts. Since he planned the mission I was letting him control and was looking forward to the four flights of two that were inbound. In came lead and off came the bombs. The target area disappeared in flame and black smoke. Seconds later, as #2 was releasing, the shockwave hit. #4 was already "in" and released as the field phone rang. It was now just a series of shock waves when I finally reached the Capt. and asked him what the hell were these guys dropping. His reply: Mark 84s. in pairs, simultaneous. That equates to 4000 lbs a whack. The shock waves had the ground shaking all the way to Columbus, Ga. By the time it was all over I had sold a story about "y-stem" effect and "inversion layers" while trying to keep my Capt. in the Air Force. Benning had a restriction of not more than 500 lb Mark 82s. Eight times we moved Benning sand with 8 times more boom than authorized. 32,000 lbs woke up western Georgia on that day. P.S. The Army guys loved it. (So did I.)

Response by Cadet PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2019 10:39 AM

Cadet PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 10:39:02 -0400

Have to ask how it was? Going to do the exact same thing.

Response by LTC Wayne Brandon made Jan 2 at 2020 9:26 AM

LTC Wayne Brandon — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 09:26:53 -0500

Pvt Micah-el Baxter -
Soldiering is an attitude no matter where you are stationed and yours can make it a good or bad experience - it really is that simple.
One of my favorite memories of my time there was listening to 'Cousin Al' on the radio every morning before hitting the PT field. He was funny and listening to him got the day off to a good start.
He is long gone now.
If you desire to be the best of the best as a soldier, you couldn't go to a better training location than Ft. Benning. I love Benning for the atmosphere, the proud history of that installation and the high-speed op tempo that keeps you on your toes. If you want to be an Airborne Ranger there is no better place to begin your preparation into that elite society than Benning because that is where it all started with the 29th Infantry Regiment and 2nd ITB in 1940 for the Airborne with the first Rangers dating back to 1622 and becoming famous for their exploits and many successes during WWII and the Ranger school being established there in 1950.
When you are finished with your training you will never be ashamed to say you took your training at "Bennings' School for Boys" as it is sometimes called.
I have many stories from Benning; some of them I doubt you would believe but your experience there will be much different so stay focused and in time you will have your own stories to tell.
Finally, you will need to understand the history of the USA Ranger and a good place to start is with the Ranger Motto and how it came about: "On 6 June 1944, during the assault landing on Dog White sector of Omaha Beach as part of the invasion of Normandy, then-Brigadier General Norman Cota (assistant CO of the 29th ID) approached Major Max Schneider, CO of the 5th Ranger Battalion and asked "What outfit is this?", Schneider answered "5th Rangers, Sir!" To this, Cota replied: "Well, goddamnit, if you're Rangers, lead the way!" From this, the Ranger motto—"Rangers lead the way!"—was born"
All the best to you, trooper!

Response by SFC Jaysin Smith made Feb 23 at 2022 10:53 AM

SFC Jaysin Smith — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 10:53:29 -0500

I went to basic at Bravo 2/54, we were right down the hill (and across the parade ground) from the PX shoppette. Outside of that shoppette was 4 very well stocked vending machines that we'd noticed on our bi-weekly supply run our drill Sgts closely monitored for "unauthorized items." Myself and members of my platoon (my square ass battle buddy refused to take part) devised an operation to liberate all the good shit in those vending machines that we weren't allowed to have. We had previously learned to tie a swiss seat and felt that since our platoon didn't have the fire guard detail down at the desk in the formation area we had to figure another way to egress and infil our 2nd story barracks window. We grabbed our rope, went over the plan one more time and tied our seats. One of the guys apparently didn't pay attention to how you check that you're secure in your swiss seat. We clipped in and started our descent. Just as soon as we got our footing on that hard brownish brick of the building we heard a thud on the ground. The one guy hit hard! I was like oh fuck! Our drill Sgt is gonna catch us and smoke us so bad our future kids will be born in the front leaning rest! We whispered down, bro you good? All we heard was a groan and we said "yeah he's a good!" We low crawled to the parade ground and the sprinted across. We get to the vending machines and start feeling it bills. We filled up 5 pillow cases with sodas, candy, chips, cookies, crackers etc. The fuckin things didn't have a pack of life savers in them when we got done. We head back with the loot, this time taking a different route just in case we got someone's attention leaving we wanted to come through the opposite direction. Back at the window and our platoon mate was just recovering. His nose was bloody, knees scraped up and his eyes were black. I said damn bro you look fucked up! What you gonna tell the drill Sgts tomorrow?? He looks at us with a tilted grin and says "I'm gonna tell them that you forcefully raped me in the shower and when I complied you beat me harder because you're a freak nasty mother fucker!" We hooked our bags to the ropes and our "support" team hoisted it all up. Then the ropes come back down. We climb the ropes and our buddies pull us through the window. Except "chubbs" a very appropriate nick name couldn't ascend the ropes. I wishpered down, "damnit chubbs what the fuck were you thinking? You knew you couldn't climb the ropes on the confidence course, why do you think you'd be able to get up now?" His only reply " I get motivated for Snickers!" Man we couldn't leave him down there holding his dick looking stupid. After all, one of the main things they instill is that you don't leave anyone behind. But how, how were we gonna get this fat fucker up there? Me and another guy came up with it almost at the same time. Party boy! Off we went, down to the formation area where the guards from 2nd platoon we're writing letters home to their nasty snatch Susie, Mary rotten crotch and crying because they know that sport coat Jody, tank top tony, long sleeve Steve, and radiator hose Rodney have been banging their beloved E-1 private of a fuckup relationship future dependapottomus baby momma and wife. Me and Pvt. Green went down wearing nothing but war paint and our combat boots (black back then) and started doing the party boy dance from Jack ass, all close up on them and shit, dicks helicoptering trying to chase them around and grind on them. Those fuckers through their pens, writing pads everything they had at us and we chased them all over. Mean time 2 other guys are sneaking chubbs fat ass up stairs. Koo Koo kajoob sounded from the door way to the upstairs. We knew we were good to go. We get upstairs to a snack party. Hurry up and clean up fake like we're asleep and drag through the next day because we were up all night. Well, we thought we got away with it. Until one of our drill Sgts finds a fuckin jolly rancher wrapper. They conduct a "health inspection" and find the look everywhere, in the ceiling, in lockers, drawers, the shit was even stuffed into the VCR Infront of the drill Sgts office. Man.... We got smoked for 5 days straight! Then when we throught it was over the drill Sgt lines us up around 1800 on the parade ground and says "which 2 of you fuck sticks decided you were going to play male strippers and traumatize the guys from 2nd platoon?" Quickly green and I raised our hands. We tried to explain that it was a prank. The drill Sgt didn't think it was a funny prank. He decided that since we like to dance so much, that the whole platoon would probably like it too. As he played music he made me and Pvt. Green sit in chairs while we had to be in the middle of our platoon mates doing their best to mimic our dance moves that fateful night. Talking about uncomfortable! And the most fucked up part.... Chubbs big ass was the best fuckin dancer there! That chubby fucker had some moves! Great times, great memories. You hate it when you're going through it but when it's over and you look back you'd do it again in a heart beat. You don't make friends. These guys go through an experience so unique that you becomes brothers. I still talk to a majority of my buddies from basic. Most of us had option 40s so we went through most of all of our OSUT together. 2/3 of us that went on to be in a Ranger Bn. We're all together in 3/75. HOOAH! RLTW

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2022 8:03 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 05 Jun 2022 20:03:04 -0400

Jump School, first day we were told that the CO was selling Airborne T-shirts, $10.
The black hat said, "The Airborne T-Shirt" is not required to have or buy. But, if you didn't have one on for PT every morning, it was your problem.
* Food was real good, and you can eat as much as you want.
* Don't over eat, just like that LTC Colonel did with the apricots, we saw all those apricots all over the 5 mile run on the track. Then one day, we saw that same LTC laying on the track as we ran, he flunked out of Jump School.
* No matter how much pushups you have to do, and for what, it's all training that'll get team work, and discipline.
"All the Way, and Then Some"

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 6 at 2022 12:01 AM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 06 Jun 2022 00:01:35 -0400

I was on a night land course in OCS. Many of them traveled in twos which should not have occurred. I tackled the course by myself. I used terrain features and a pace count. I questioned my navigation because I saw nobody in the area. The moon was bright which silhouetted the ancient trees filled with hanging Spanish Moss. My route to a point indicated I had to cross a swamp. I looked at the swamp for 5 seconds and realized going into the swamp was such a stupid idea. I passed.