Infantry School Command Sergeant Major Tackles Ranger Competition With Son

By Bridgett SiterApril 20, 2007

Father and Son Compete In Best Ranger Competition
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Father son
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Command Sgt. Maj. Douglas Greenway (left) and his son, Staff Sgt. Brandon Greenway, pack their rucks April 19 in preparation for the 60-hour, non-stop Best Ranger Competition that began today. The first-ever father and son team will travel over 60 mi... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT BENNING, Ga. (Army News Service, April 20, 2007) - The most curious partnership in this year's Best Ranger Competition may be Command Sgt. Maj. Doug Greenway and his son, Staff Sgt. Brandon Greenway.

The father-son team will set a number of precedents in this weekend's competition. At 47 and feeling "not a day over 46," the senior Greenway will be the oldest competitor in the history of the BRC, now in its 24th year.

The pair is also the first father-son team to compete in the BRC.

The command sergeant major said he hopes his age will help them. Historically, older competitors have done much better than the younger. And with more than 30 years of service between them, the Greenways have twice as much military experience as more than half of their competitors.

Doug, the Infantry School sergeant major, said their single greatest advantage may be their desire to compete together with no goal other than to finish the race.

"This is my last big hooah," said Doug, who will retire May 4. "I get to do this with my boy - that's what this is all about. We just want to do it and finish together. If we were focusing on winning, yeah, I'd be a little nervous right now."

Doug earned his Ranger tab in 1980. He was serving with the 75th Ranger Regiment when Brandon graduated from basic training on Sand Hill more than four years ago. Doug pinned Brandon's 3rd Battalion scroll on his sleeve a short time later.

They jumped together in 2003; it was Brandon's first. Doug was the Ranger Training Brigade command sergeant major when Brandon graduated from Ranger School three years ago. And last week, Doug pinned on his son's staff sergeant stripes.

The two have toyed with the idea of competing in the BRC together for years, but unit missions or deployments always got in the way. Collectively, the father and son have deployed five times with the rangers.

Their strategy going into the competition is simple, said Brandon, a squad leader with the 4th Ranger Training Battalion - they'll take it one step at a time.

(Ms. Bridget Siter writes for the Fort Benning "Bayonet.")

Related Links:

2007 Best Ranger Competition