MWSA Book Review

The Coveted Black and Gold

Author: John D. Lock

Publisher:  Fenestra Books

Reviewer: Prof Andrew Lubin--MWSA Lead Reviewer

Play by play account of how the Army makes Rangers.

It’s not easy earning the coveted title “Ranger” and it’s accompanying Ranger shoulder tab.

Author John Lock, a former Ranger, takes the reader on a 9-week journey through the hell of ranger training, where 5 hours is considered a good night’s sleep, and 2 meals daily is appreciated, as opposed to expected.
 

LTC Lock wisely takes the time to explain the Ranger ‘mystique’ to the reader. The Rangers history began back in 1757, with Maj. Robert Roger’s “Roger’s Rangers” fighting in the French & Indian Wars. He traces their history through WW2, Korea, and Vietnam, although one wishes he’d done so in more detail.
 

But most of the book describes the nine-week Ranger training program, and how (then) Cadet Lock dealt with it. He describes the physical and mental stress to which the trainees were subjected, the 0400 timed runs in the Georgia humidity, the always sore muscles, trying to stay awake in class on 3 hours of sleep, and the knowledge that success or failure depended on mental toughness more than physical strength.
As one of the participants, Lock does an excellent job describing how difficult it is to complete the Ranger course, and why it is the most demanding of it’s kind in the Army. He’s able to explain how the Rangers channel this mental and physical toughness into the Army’s elite fighting force, as well as parlay this success into their lives afterwards.
 

For those readers who strive to succeed, or wish to become part of something bigger and more important than themselves – then this is the book for you.
 

Other books by John D. Lock