FORT McCOY, Wis. -- The U.S. Army Ranger School at Fort Benning, Ga. is the Army's pre-eminent small-unit leader training organization and one of the toughest courses a Soldier can volunteer to attend.
Over the course of 60-plus days, the Ranger-candidates are tested physically, mentally, and emotionally with the expectation that they push the limits of mind and body.
On June 21, Sgt. 1st Class Kenne P. Hanson, a trainer mentor for the 1st Battalion, 310th Infantry Regiment, 181st Infantry Brigade, Division West, earned the coveted Ranger Tab as well as the recognition of graduating Distinguished Honor Graduate of U.S. Ranger School Class 06-13.
The distinguished honor graduate must be a first-time "GO" on all evaluated training, and must carry the highest percentage on graded events. Hanson addressed the infamous "RAP week" (Ranger Assessment Phase; the first three days of Ranger School):
"The events themselves were not hard, but the cumulative effect of the events, exercises in between, lack of sleep, and hunger made those days especially difficult," said Hanson.
Addressing the importance of a home-station support network, Hanson said, "You have to have the mindset that you are going to stay until you get your tab no matter how long it takes. I would not have been successful without the support of my unit and Family."
As a senior noncommissioned officer and Infantryman, Hanson has already seen the effects Ranger School has on his career; he recently came down on assignment to Germany almost immediately after completing Ranger School.
"It was the first time I had a branch manager contact me personally with available assignments," said Hanson.
Since completing the course, Hanson has been developing a Pre-Ranger Program of Instruction in order to pass on his knowledge of the course and ensure future First Army Soldiers are mentally and physically prepared for the rigors of the course.
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