I was a PFC rifleman in a Ranger platoon during Operation Just Cause. I had only been in the Army about 15 months when we made the jump into Panama.

As a PFC in a Ranger Batt, you basically do your job and execute according to the direction of your team and squad leader. During our training, a lot of emphasis was placed on learning various SOP's and battle drills.

When I jumped into Panama, I somehow landed a good distance from my platoon. When I got out of my chute, I saw other Rangers near me, but I did not recognize them. I realized that I was in the middle of another Ranger unit and before I could think of what I was going to do, I was grabbed by a Sergeant who asked me who I was and what unit I belonged to. When he found out that I was from another Ranger Battalion he told me to forget about trying to locate my platoon and to join his squad until we had time to figure things out. I saw him go over and speak with the platoon sergeant and platoon leader and they both looked over at me and gave me a "thumbs up" sign.

The Sergeant came back and introduced me to the other members of his squad. I was the target of many wisecracks about "making the right choice by leaving my platoon to join theirs!"

Once the "formalities" were over, we started moving out toward our objectives. I was somewhat surprised (remember, I was only a PFC) to see that my "new" squad performed almost every task, movement, hand and arm signal,etc., like my "old" squad did. I cannot remember a single time during the 24 hours I stayed with this sqaud that I did not know what to do, where to position myself during movement,etc. I realized later on that this was due to the high level of standardization and detailed training found within Ranger units.

I have no doubt that the training in SOPs and battle drills that enabled me to easliy blend into a new squad can save lives during combat operations. For all young guys who read this and often feel that their NCOs and officers are too hung up on standards, SOP's, rehearsals,etc, I urge you to understand that what they are doing will have a huge impact on your chances for survival in combat.

By the way, I rejoined my original squad on the second day of the operation. My "new" squad leader assured my real squad leader that I had done well and that he had ordered me to stay with his squad on the first day. This saved me from what would have been a World Class Smoking for getting lost on the drop zone! For the rest of my time in the Rangers, I used to talk trash about how I was one of a few active duty Rangers who had served in combat in two different Ranger Battalions! This would cause most new guys to look at me with great respect, but usually another NCO would tell them the real story and my status as a "Ranger legend" vanished quickly!

I hope what I wrote here can help others prepare for war. If you are a leader, drive your men hard during training. This is the only way to ensure that as many of them as possible will return home alive.

Rangers lead the way!