Monday, November 9, 2009

Agassi - Balls to the Wall

Gotta love Andre Agassi! His father - an Iranian Olympic boxer - was domineering and pushed Andre, against his will, to succeed at all costs as a tennis champ. The new revelations are that Andre "hated" tennis! And felt so bound to his image that (in addition to indulging in crystal meth for the better part of a year) he actually had a hair weave...and his biggest fear was that his piece would fall off, exposing his glistening bald pate!

Anyway I find his story quite inspirational - he has decided to build his life and has found happiness, love and meaning. A 9th grade dropout, he is a huge education proponent, putting his money and his time behind it...among other things he sponsored a new charter school in a tough Las Vegas neighborhood which last year sent 100% of their graduates to college.

Balls to the Wall!

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Where I Stand on Health Care Reform

OK - so by now you've seen I'm a capitalist (despite my Wall Street background)...and generally speaking I like free markets, and am against government solutions to issues best solved by the private sector...but I have to weigh in on health care reform.

The system is broken. Prices are out of control (I know - I just cut health insurance by 35% - down to "only" $1250 per month!). Insurance companies have literally made a living out of denying claims. My answer is - consistent with (ironically) my free market principles - competition! I want the government to provide a solution to compete with private insurers, and I want competition across state lines.

And anybody - anybody at all - who is going to challenge that - what about the human cost??? Let's assume that the current administration is full of it (likely so) and it will not be "budget neutral". So what - we're going to pay extra out of our pockets for our sick brothers and sisters? Give me a break, we're still a quarter of the world's economy and by far the richest country in the world, and we can't afford a literal life and death issue for our own people? What's happened to us, are we that greedy? I'm not talking about a factory worker or store clerk, who's barely getting by...but what about those of us who have a couple of nickels to rub together?

Let's get it together here and take care of our people. Another area that I don't see being emphasized is our own ability to proactively manage our wellness - exercise, diet, sleep, stress, etc. are demonstrably linked to health and wellbeing. I don't have the numbers but I am certain that we could save tens of billions of dollars in health care just from preventive actions and proactive health management.

Let's go for a little bit of humanity here!

Dick is a Dick!

Dick Cheney - from the maker of the great movie...unvested options from his Halliburton days, who steered us into the Iraq invasion from which surprise surprise! Halliburton won billions in no-bid, cost-plus contracts...that disgusting intersection of business and government that is polluted and in my opinion literally steals from the hard work of our fighting force, who are literally sacrificing their lives! On top of our hard-earned taxpayer dollars...to subsidize a hard-on without a plan...

Same Dick is now continuing his Dickly habits, spreading fear, in this instance getting us to resist having Gitmo prisoners on US soil for fear that they will break free and do us harm...does the Dick think we are stupid??? We have the hardest core gang-bangers in maximum security, in places that have never been breached, and we can't securely contain a few Jihadists?

We are Americans - what we (used to at least) call "The Free and the Brave"!

Dick it's time you quit being a Dick, retire quietly and let historians take their view.

Mood(y) Swings

This is about the economy - not sure if everyone realizes how close to plunging over the cliff we actually came. There's a lot of anger towards Wall Street, much of it justifiable in my opinion (although the scorpion's nature is to sting - the tiger can't change it's stripes - and Wall Street feeds on markets, just the way it's wired).

There are a lot of other stakeholders in creating this crisis but there are two in particular that I feel have emerged relatively unscathed given their culpability. First are the politicians, and I'm not talking about the lack of regulation...but this disgusting quid-pro-quo between politicians and Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac - whenever government and business intersect, look out!!! I fundamentally resent the revolving door between these quasi-private institutions and politicians and the links between the two. So bottom line, in my opinion, politicians used our taxpayer money to underwrite non-creditworthy mortgages, with the objectives of:

- helping people who couldn't otherwise afford it to purchase home - very noble goal (although in my cynical opinion it was done primarily to buy votes) with unintended consequences namely the triggering of the sub-prime meltdown which triggered the economic collapse
- creating a pool of blank check funds - Fannie / Freddie et al were expected to be incredibly generous political donors
- arranging a soft, cushy landing for people who were hand-picked to ensure that the pig would continue to get well fed, in other words continuation of the "win-win" political / mortgage business (but "lose-lose" for taxpayers)

Anyway forgive my diatribe, just nobody's really called them out and I'm a bit down on politicians...but the other massive culprit is the rating agencies. These f'ers were paid a lot of money to give "unbiased" ratings - but lo and behold Moody's, S&P et al were on the lam! So investors (who also have some culpability but that's for another time) who were relying on "independent" risk assessments of incredibly complicated securities were out and out lied to!

So someone from within Moody's has blown the whistle - and said that the old practices continue! And now the ex-head of compliance for Moody's is testifying...

Stay posted

Thursday, September 24, 2009

We're Not All Hawks, but...

Frankly I'm disappointed in President Obama's public head fake on Afghanistan. I am not a stereotypical hawk by any means...and although I have tremendous respect for General "Stan the Man" McChrystal - a super hard-charging Ranger and legend in the SOF community - I try to take an independent view.

It's true Afghanistan has an incredible warrior culture and a history of outfighting and outlasting empires throughout history. It's also true that the so-called "elected" officials are incredibly corrupt, and undermine the legitimacy of the government of "the good guys". Further I agree that although the Taliban are from my view distasteful to say the least, I don't recognize them as an immediate and direct threat to US interests outside of their own territory.

Having said that I strongly believe that we need to support General McChrystal and give his innovative plan a real shot. Imagine how those Marines feel "winning hearts and minds" - and can't even commit they'll be there in a couple of months! What message does that send to the locals, and who's waiting to fill that vacuum of power?

And the biggest question for me - what about the spillover into (nuclear) Pakistan, a struggling democracy? And on the other side, what about (soon-to-be-nuclear) Iran, who is directly and openly hostile to US and our interests in addition to being a highly destabilizing influence throughout the Middle East?

In my opinion - as anyone within shouting distance from me knows (starting in '91) - the invasion of Iraq and subsequent regime change was all but doomed from the start. In Afghanistan we have a shot - let's not squander it!

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Norman Borlaug - A Real Hero RIP

I would like to call attention to and pay tribute to Norman Borlaug, who just died at 95. He was a brilliant man from the heartland of America who revolutionized food production - in my opinion he positively transformed the world as no single person of our lifetimes has. The Wall Street Journal says that "he saved more lives than anyone who ever lived."

Norman committed his life to ending hunger. The conventional wisdom (and likely fact) several decades ago was that world population would quickly eclipse food production - and that the world would run out of food! Norman created new farming techniques that exponentially increased yields; and then spent his life in developing countries to teach the locals how to implement.

One example - he and his team arrived in South Asia during the onset of war between India and Pakistan - instead of turning right around, they worked through artillery fire etc...and in three years, Pakistan was self-sufficient in wheat production and within six years, India was self-sufficient in all cereals production!

It reminds me of this - "Give a man a fish and he eats for a day; teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime." Millions of lifetimes exist because of Norman Borlaug, a real hero.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Smokin' WOD

Killed the WOD today ("workout of the day")! The boys and me switched to Crossfit Football recently, and I went balls to the wall today...Good stuff

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Brave New World in Iraq

It's a brave new world for the Iraqis as the US troops start to return home. Beer's on me to those who served!

Here's wishing the Iraqis the best in securing their future

A Nice Cold Brew

I love beer! Being a brewer was fantastic - provide happiness and get paid for it :).

And now - after a long hard day - a nice cold brew.

Cheers

Friday, June 26, 2009

Room Clearing

So "back in the day" room clearing was one of our more dangerous operations - you went in fast, low, and simultaneous with a small team with sights on just about everything. Bottom line is no matter how skillfully executed you were totally exposed.

As expected some of the SOF are using some really high speed gadgetry to deal with this. But I just heard a new one from a SWAT member. They are using a snake with a camera on the end.

Talk about The Plumber!

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Our LEO Brethren

Here's a shout-out and a salute to our law enforcement brothers. Went to the Police Expo in Atlantic City today and met some of our East Coast's Finest. We appreciate your service!

Drive On! Motivational Ranger Gear

Pete brought me some highly motivating gear :). First - a tactical drive-on cap with an IR American flag and the Ranger Crest on the back. Honestly it puts me in a positive kick-ass frame of mind - great stuff!

Second - a new generation Ranger PT shirt with the new 2nd Battalion logo - awesome! The "new" logo is inspired from the WWII Rangers, a diamond shape with the number "2" inside for 2nd Battalion. I always loved our PT uniforms but this is pretty high speed.

Gotta love it! :)

(Thanks Pete)

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Culture of Incarceration

We have created a culture of incarceration - the statistics are appalling. Last year 1 in every 100 American adults was in prison; 1 in every 30 men between 20-34 years old; 1 in every 9 black males between 20-34 years old. We have 5% of the world's population but nearly one-quarter of the world's prisoners. We have increased our incarceration of small-time drug use 10-fold since 1980.

At the same time we've opened up a front on our southern border that exposes us to new security threats - and say what you will but in my opinion Hillary Clinton was right to say that ultimately the demand for drugs comes from the US (and therefore gives fuel to the cartels which in turn exposes our security).

I will be thinking about drug policies and incarceration over the next period. Will check in with my thoughts then.

Saturday, June 13, 2009

SuperPowers

If you could choose any superpower, which one would it be? Super strong? Fast? Invisible? Something to ponder...

Runoff in Iran?

Ahmedinajad and Mousavi in a runoff? You've gotta love how all the under-30's are getting out the vote for Mousavi...even have the election officials running scared - they kept the polls open until midnight to facilitate this record voter turnout - in my opinion they realize that they need to allow some of the social unrest to be expressed.

The rule is that if one candidate (of the 4) does not have more than 50%, then it's a runoff. Although the official state media was calling Ahmedinajad the clear winner, let's see what happens...

Thursday, June 11, 2009

New Belleville Boots - Tactical Research Footwear

Launching this Monday, June 15 - preliminary buzz is positive - looking forward...

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

European Politics - Right Trend?

Interesting that the general trend in European elections has been a swinging to the right...many of our European brethren question the US's role in creating the global recession (and some question the entire Anglo-Saxon capitalist model)...but instead of swinging left, like Iceland did (to the max!) voters turned more conservative.

Monday, June 8, 2009

Bullish?

OK I admit I'm an optimist - typical entrepreneur - for me the glass tends to be 3/4 full. And I want to believe - I really want to believe! - that we've turned the corner on the economy. Lord knows most folks have been dramatically affected...

With oil prices doubling since February, equities up around 35% from the trough, and the general "sheep" all saying we're turning the corner...

And yet I see a propensity for risk that seems disproportionate for me and doesn't calibrate with the slaughter we've just been part of. Many many examples - but today in the Wall Street Journal was a discussion on the outlandish returns posted in "frontier" markets (cutting edge emerging markets).

Holding my breath...

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Elections in Lebanon - Looking Good...

So far so good for the elections in Lebanon...We won't know officially until tomorrow but preliminary results are positive for the so called May 14 ruling bloc led by Saad Hariri (son of slain Prime Minister Rafik Hariri), with Hezbollah supported candidates seeking a majority.

Although a small country, it is a confederation of 19 religious sects - very interesting but also helped to plunge the country into civil war. In my opinion this election is one important signal on what's happening across the region in terms of moderation vs. extremism; and also regarding Iran's influence, who support Hezbollah and generally directly or indirectly have worked to undermine Arab governments to further their regional power.

Reportedly there has been record turnout for elections. Next stop - Iranian elections this Friday, June 12 - also creating tremendous excitement locally, and lots of interest regionally.

Let Freedom Ring!

Saturday, June 6, 2009

D-Day Remembered

Today's the 65 year anniversary of D-Day. To all those that served - the "Greatest Generation" - I stand up and salute you! I am proud to draw my freedoms, heritage and way of life from you. You changed the course of history. This nation and so many others give our utmost respect and appreciation.


Friday, June 5, 2009

Everyday Valor

My friend - a Vietnam vet and successful architect - just told me a couple interesting stories. One of them is that he turned down 3 Purple Hearts - although offered - because he wasn't seriously wounded in combat and felt that it would lessen the honor for those who had been.

Yesterday he saw a returning soldier in line at the local deli. He could tell the soldier was fresh off the plane, dog tags and GI t-shirt and all. My friend welcomed him back, thanked him for his service, and then bought him lunch...and nobody else made a move or said a word!

Character - we can show valor every day

Thursday, June 4, 2009

NBA Finals

The Magic - what a surprise! The Nuggets really grew on me over the playoffs, a lot of heart, but I was really rooting for the Cavs and LBJ - what an athlete!

(and to think, Kobe should have been a Net...)

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

What a Rush!

Can you imagine what Laird Hamilton feels when he is surfing a 100 foot (around 30 meter) wave?!? And what an intrepid spirit - imagine the first time he did it - "well, this should work, according to my calculations" - grab 'em and go!

Out the door!

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Magnetic North - on the North Pole?!?

OK here's one for you, courtesy of my friend "The Man from Mars" - when you're on the North Pole what does your compass read?

Tune in tomorrow to find out...

Monday, June 1, 2009

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Wired - but Homeless

Interesting story in the Wall Street Journal yesterday. I love the WSJ to keep track of the markets but don't normally think of it as a good medium for "keeping it real"...

Apparently there are a number of homeless people who have no access to TV, radio, etc. - but are proficient internet users including hosting online forums, social networking, blogging, etc. They get access from public libraries, resuscitated pc's, etc.

What a wild wired world!

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Closed :)

Closed my deal - at long last :)

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Champions League - European "Football"

Barcelona just beat Manchester United in this year's Champions League match. This - and my previous beverages post - combine to bring back interesting memories. I went to the Champions League in Istanbul to watch an amazing soccer ("football") match between AC Milan and Liverpool. What a crazy spectacle! Lots of inebriated, rowdy (read: rabid!), knowledgeable, passionate fans.

The funny thing is that Heineken - with whom I have a complicated relationship (more at another time) - bought up what seemed like half the 100,000 seat stadium. Supposedly for "clients" and "branding"...ha ha! It was an excuse to send all the employees to a soccer match. The funniest thing for me is that Liverpool had Carlsberg on their jerseys and got infinitely more exposure. (by the way we signed a licensing agreement and brewed Carslberg in Egypt before selling the brewery to Heineken)

Cheers again!

Red Bull Charging Again

Hats off to Red Bull - creating a multibillion dollar market from caffeine, sugar and taurine - the evolution of Coke and Pepsi's peddling of colored carbonated sugar water into a global empire.

What a marketing machine - and we continue to buy it! First, getting all the "ravers" and party animals to mix Red Bull with vodka - perk up while you drink down...throw in a few bans from commercially insignificant countries...add a couple of deaths that the company can hold at complete arm's length and not accept any culpability...

And now the latest - the new cola has been banned in Germany for traces of cocaine. By the way we're full circle - how do you think Coca-Cola got its name? (Hint - what's the trademark bottle inspired from?)

For me - once a Ranger always a Ranger - and once a beer / beverages guy always a beer / beverages guy...

Cheers!

Happy Centenary to MI6

To our friends "across the pond" in the UK - happy birthday to MI6, British foreign intelligence - 100 years old today.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

A Tired Dog...is a Good Dog!

Smoke his bags...work out all that energy...and he's a lot of damn fun.

My theory on dogs - and boys - get 'em tired.

The Drama that's Mike Tyson's Life

OK, so a lot of his woes are self-made...and definitely seems to have more inner demons than most of us...but this is so damn tragic - his 4-year-old daughter just died in a freak accident on the treadmill at home.

Here's hoping you find peace Iron Mike.

Perspective

One billion people - around 1 in 7 human beings - live without access to clean water. Whoa!

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Mental Health and the Economy

So it's not surprising that the economic environment has created mental health issues with some folks. My friend - we served in 2nd Ranger Battalion together, he's now a firefighter / EMS and in my opinion a thought leader in the space - has put a new dimension on it. According to his analysis and supported empirically, one of the first budget cuts is in social services particularly for mental health. So ironically, as demand is increasing, supply is decreasing...

I can give his full-blown take on the various societal ramifications of this - which I hope he'll publish in an op-ed piece - but bottom line that means a lot more folks with mental health issues running around without their needed support. Food for thought...

Monday, May 25, 2009

Memorial Day

To all the troops - I salute you and thank you for your service. To those who paid the ultimate price - RIP - you are not forgotten. We always remember you and give thanks and respect but today is special.

Another Trend in the Middle East - Social Networking as a Political Tool

With elections coming up, Iran just banned Facebook. Seems the progressive youth are glued to Facebook and that threatens the powers that be.

A few months back protesters in Egypt were using Facebook as a very effective organization and communication tool. The government saw that as a threat and took actions...


Sunday, May 24, 2009

Recent Observations on the Middle East

I am observing what might be some new trends in the Middle East (or perhaps are disjointed, one-or-two-off occurrences). Two of these trends could spell dangerous new directions, and one is familiar and refreshing - in context - although irritating.

By the way every time I think about Somalia - I feel very emotional and pay tribute to our lionhearted Ranger and Delta brothers who paid the ultimate price. What a f'd up confluence of preventable circumstances that resulted in needless tragedy. (I don't like to commercialize something so special but just so you folks can share my perspective this was memorialized in the book and movie "Blackhawk Down"...)

Somalia
  • Trend - communal idealogical / socio-religious groupings vs. clan / tribal affiliations - in other words societally organizing along belief lines rather than communal lines - I can't think of any other examples of this happening in any mainstream communities
  • Story - Islamic groups taking arms against each other in this lawless state - example is moderate "Sufis" (mystics) vs. extremist "Shabbab" ("youth")
  • Background - from my personal observations the Middle East and Africa revolve around tribal affiliations and loyalties. It is well known that to solve an issue in this theater requires going to the local leader. I hear many Westerners compare Shia vs. Sunni, or Jordanian vs. Saudi, as if this context in isolation explains cultural, religious and philosophical outlook. Of course religious sect and nationality help provide a context. However in my opinion historically the way things happen - the real drivers of society and the keys to resolving conflict - comes down to the tribal level. (Like we say in the US, "all politics are local".) Just for the sake of clarity, my observations are primarily formed having studied Iraqi society prior to Desert Storm and then more significantly having lived in Egypt for a few years, doing business and traveling throughout the Middle East and Africa
  • Implications - could this be the start of a new trend? What would happen if this spread to the biggest hotspot in the world (in my opinion) - Pakistan? Will the US be able to get our mojo back and "win hearts and minds" behind our ideals, which the world respects, loves and aspires to? In other words could we see the enabling and empowering of more "Sufis" to provide a positive alternative to "Shabbab"?
Egypt
  • Trend - foreigners conspiring on Egyptian soil to destabilize the government and threaten public security and welfare
  • Story I - first we had what I felt was a very surprising admission from Hezbollah leader Nasrallah that indeed several Hezbollah operatives were on sovereign Egyptian soil. In my opinion this is a major story. I believe it compromises Hezbollah's credibility in its claim that it's a Lebanese political party. Further - even more surprising - was Nasrallah's admission of Iranian complicity in the matter! Iran and Egypt - in fact the entire Arab world - have a very shaky relationship. (One massive sticky point in the two countries' relations is the fact that Iran refuses to change a street named after the killer of the great President Anwar Sadat. As an aside, I went to Iran with an Egyptian citizen. I was treated royally and departed and arrived and cleared with the greatest of ease - while my Egyptian colleague was detained and questioned intensely. Of course that could also be due to his personality, for those of you who know "the Panda" :).)
  • Story II - it appears that several foreigners were behind the recent bombings at the "Khan el Khalili" market.
  • Background - historically Egypt is a very peaceful place and Egyptians are unbelievably hospitable people. While in my opinion what I call "the socio-religious pendulum" is swinging far to the right - and some of the extremist idealogy of the region springs from Egypt (think Muslim Brotherhood and Ayman Zawahiri, both born and bred in Egypt) - there is not a background of Egyptian violence committed against Egyptians.
  • Implications - what will Egyptians reaction be? In keeping with the above story in Somalia - what will society choose (although there is not too much of a free choice these days regardless)? What does this mean for Iran's positioning across the region? Hezbollah's?
Iraq
  • Trend - massive outcry over corruption in government - change the names and place and it could be New Jersey, London, etc. or virtually any other democracy
  • Story - investigations on corruption across government - even two of Prime Minister Al-Maliki's brothers are indicted
  • Background - elections are about 9 months away, and the US is committed to pulling out shortly
  • Implications - am I reading this wrong or is this not politics as usual? I feel empathy for the citizens and non-corrupt government members - but in the "big picture" from several thousand miles away I am encouraged as I interpret it as a normal progression on the path to democracy and self-rule

Thoughts for the day...

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Go Melo!

With all respect to Kobe - and that's a gargantuan amount of props, he's awesome - I would love to see a Nuggets-Cavaliers series. Tell you what - if there's any area of my life I'm a true "wannabe" - it's when I watch LBJ play ball...

Shazam!

Friday, May 22, 2009

Gurkha's Rights

I am happy to hear that the Gurkhas - some of the bravest and fiercest warriors in the world, hailing from Nepal - have finally been won a long fought battle. The Gurkhas now have the legal right to settle in the UK - which they have loyally served for approximately two centuries.

About time!

Thursday, May 21, 2009

"Bloggers Beware"

"What you write could get you sued" says today's Wall Street Journal. Highlighted is a blogger in Bellevue, Washington - near my old stompin' grounds of 2nd Ranger Battalion - who is being sued for slander and libel for what she wrote in her blog. Background - blogger claims an adult entertainment company inadvertently compromised personal information on customers due to a hacker attack - company denies any customer info was compromised. Blogger claims she should be protected as she has rights afforded a reporter - company disagrees. According to the WSJ there were 106 such suits against bloggers last year.

You readers of my blog can guess where I come out on this, right? No, seriously, freedom of speech does not extend to slander and libel in any public forum...but a free society needs a free press.

There we go again with that balancing act of freedoms...

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Early to Bed, Early to Rise...

is a pain in the ass! I'm doing 5:30 am wake-ups in this phase - reminds me of the tough ol' days - get my second wind at night though...

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Sikh-ing the Right Answer

So what if a person wants to serve his country by joining the military - but his religious beliefs prevent him from some aspect of traditional service?

OK, so kosher / halal dietary needs comes to mind...

But what about hair - hair today, gone tomorrow?

Background - the Sikhs are a warrior class - service is part of their core doctrine - and by tradition the devout Sikh men do not cut their hair...ever!

So what about our tradition of conscription into boot camp - the buzz cut - making all new recruits the same regardless of race, religion, etc.? Forging a common bond, and starting with the least common denominator for all of us?

My point of view is that the Sikh should not be required to cut his hair. This is the land of freedom - ideally the magnet for the brightest and best from around the world - and freedom of religion is among the most fundamental rights upon which this country was built. God bless any of our young men and women who want to serve our country, particularly in these times of peril.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Young Tiger, Old Tiger

Oh - my - goodness...! Totally spent...and humbled...yet proud...

It's a funny thing when your progeny start to "pone" you (pone = teenage slang for own / beat the crap out of / etc.).

Background - my two tigers and I crossfit in our garage gym. My big guy Sam and I just finished a killer workout (my little guy Simon just became a teenager and guess his recent growth caught up with him - he crashed).

Sam rocks - what a beast! Very inspiring - but very humbling...


Sunday, May 17, 2009

"Surrender" Yin and Yang

"Surrender is not a Ranger word" says the Ranger Creed that we Rangers agree to live by. Here's the rub - what does that mean in a spiritual sense? Background - I've been meditating for about a year - really helps me channel my intensity and focus my powers (and my teenage tigers say I'm a lot easier to be around :)).

One of the concepts is the "one-ness" (sp?) of the universe, tapping into our collective consciousness, etc. So I should "surrender" my spirit...but how?!? "Surrender is not a Ranger word!"

This is a current challenge for me, as in so many areas of my life, to find the right balance.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

A Woman MP in Kuwait?

Aseel al Awadhi has a good chance of being Kuwait's first female member of parliament. This is an exclusive leadership club, with only 50 serving at a given time. (By the way this UT-Austin Ph.D. doesn't wear a veil).

We wish the Kuwaitis - and Dr. al Awadhi - good luck in the elections.

Friday, May 15, 2009

Lightning Intensity - Lighting Strike

The Ranger crest has a flash of lightning on it. Of course this represents the fast and furious lighting strike capabilities of the Ranger Battalions. From my perspective it also symbolizes that injection of blazing intensity that each and every Army Ranger has.

Each of us is motivated by different factors. Ask 10 Batt Boys (real Rangers - but we'll talk about that another time) why they do what they do and you'll probably get 20 answers: patriotism, adventure and going for the challenge are some of the more common (and socially acceptable) factors.

What unites us is the mission, the camaraderie and that bolt of lightning running through our veins. As our Ranger Creed says - "100 percent - and then some!".