When I began active duty service, I was a second lieutenant field artillery officer and I was tired. I was tired from West Point. I was tired from football. I was tired from the officer basic course. I just wanted to do what everyone else did as lieutenants - get to my unit, command a platoon, and start having some fun.
But a friend of mine wanted me to go with him to try out for Ranger School, arguably the toughest leadership school on the planet, where you are denied food and sleep for months and expected to operate at a high level.
Twenty-three-year-old Jason wanted nothing to do with that tryout, which meant I would have to get up every day at 4am for two months just to see if I would be allowed to start the course.
I didn’t want more duties. I didn’t want an early wakeup. I didn’t want to be a Ranger...
But I’m loyal, and my buddy needed me, so I said yes.
Well, I showed up on Day one of the Pre-Ranger training at 4 am. There were about 100 other guys there trying out, however... my buddy wasn't one of them.
I was by myself. It sucked. I wanted to quit, but I hate quitting more than I hate 4 am, so I made the choice to be uncomfortable.