Army Rangers: Elite of the Elite

As is generally known European American soldiers continue to prove their mettle in elite forces.

Thirty-nine teams of two competed last weekend at Fort Benning, Georgia, for the Best Ranger Competition — the Army Rangers equivalent of the Olympics — to determine the elite of the elite. The competition is a grueling 60-hour test.

This year’s race included the first ever father-son duo: Command Sgt. Maj. Doug Greenway, 47, (left) and his son, Staff Sgt. Brandon Greenway, 23.

“We’ve talked about it for a couple of years and knew this was our year to make it happen. To be able to complete this with my son,” the elder Greenway said, “it’s a defining moment in my life.” The Greenways finished in 13th place.

The winning team was Master Sgt. Walt Zajkowski, 34, and Maj. Liam Collins, 36, of Army Special Operations Command. Collins said “experience” was the key factor to winning. The duo has eight Ranger competitions between them.

original story

2007-04-26