Inspired by a tale of an operator off the beaten path...

In 1974 I, Dave, SF Gears dutiful purveyor, had then just finished jump school with newly minted silver wings upon his chest and had reported to 3rd ranger Company for Ranger school. When I arrived no one was around so I took a seat on the gravel road, to wait. Before I new it the sound of a voice began brewing from the distance telling me I didn't know &$%#! [ reader to fill in the expletive ] and before I could gather composure, I had my boots elevated on my duffel bag and I was knocking pushups like no tomorrow!

I thought hell, this guy is worse than any drill Sgt. or Black Hat instructor I had ever encountered! Well, Dave, "Oi-says-to me-self" [ that cockney English for you linguists...] welcome to Ranger school.

Doing the course we students were approached about joining a new unit. They were re- activating the famed 1st Ranger Battalion of World War II. Into the 1st Ranger Battalion, 75th Infantry. About nine of us volunteered. After graduating Ranger School, I reported to the 1st Ranger Bn forming at Fort Benning.

I was assigned to Company B, 1st Platoon, 1st squad. There was perhaps seven of us in the 1st platoon, counting our Platoon Leader. To my surprise our platoon leader was 2nd Lt. Roger B. Brown, the Ranger instructor that had smoked my ass that fateful day I had reported in to Ranger School on the gravel road, two months earlier. Brown was a "mustang" who hand been in Vietnam and by then, now chosen the Army officers path. 2nd Lt. Brown had to be the hardest core soldier I have ever encountered in the U.S. military. Period.

Over time, I would grow to know, respect and to love Major Brown, fairly well. One of his quotes that I will never forget is: "Truth comes in the form of a 6 to 9 round burst."

At that time, I did not know what it truly meant, but it sounded combat inspiring and somehow resonated deep within this warrior's core. I like to think I stuck it away for a rainy day.

Later in my career during a place not worth mentioning my buddies and I were suddenly opened up on by a machine gun. Amongst the momentary trivial things that happen as lead filled the air around us one thinks of things like staying alive and "that truth" - and thus that quote - within a nanosecond, became all too very clear.

The success of today's U.S SOF operators continues because of these little adages and the training Major Brown handed down to other instructors who have followed... For I know that wherever it first happens to you, your first "Six-to-nine rounds" will have shed that truth on you.