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What Is a Ranger Buddy in the Civilian World?

Written/Narrated by:  Ed Bejarana | Published on: October 4, 2024

When I arrived at US Army Boot Camp at 18 years old, I was assigned a Ranger Buddy. Although I’m ashamed to admit I don’t remember his name, I quickly learned how critical that relationship would be. Many who have served in the military know the term “Ranger Buddy,” but in the civilian world, it might be misunderstood.

In the military, a Ranger Buddy was essentially your lifeline—someone with the same blood type who was trained to start a transfusion if either of you were wounded, keeping you alive until medical help could arrive.

A Ranger Buddy was life.

But beyond being a “portable blood bag,” my Ranger Buddy was my emotional support. He helped me through the toughest times of basic training, and I helped him. When physical exhaustion took over, he pushed me those last few steps I needed. When the stress of Army life got to him, I was the one he could turn to for a supportive ear.

The Ranger Buddy in Civilian Life

In the civilian world, the concept of a Ranger Buddy still applies—though not necessarily for blood transfusions, but for emotional support. My fellow veterans are my civilian Ranger Buddies. They’re the people I turn to when I need advice, when I want to get out of the house and blow off steam, or when I just want to laugh at off-color jokes. My civilian Ranger Buddies are my best friends—and in many ways, my life savers.

At The Veterans Club, we structure our meetings with this same spirit of camaraderie in mind. We begin each meeting with introductions, a prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, emphasizing the importance of connection between people, God, and country. This foundation helps forge life-saving relationships, grounded in shared experiences and love of country.

How We Make a Difference

After introductions, prayer, and the Pledge, we move into group announcements and then dive into the first of usually two topics for the day. Our goal is to build personal strength from unity by creating points of personal connection. The stories we share help us form new relationships with those around us, which leads to greater personal involvement and activity. Becoming important in someone else’s life makes us feel useful.

I believe the key to staving off suicide is to increase personal feelings of usefulness. As we age, those feelings often wane. Some might refer to this as a sense of inadequacy, but I prefer to see it as a problem with a solution.

For example, when I was younger, I could move a heavy couch by myself. Today, I could still move that couch, but I would use tools that make it easier. The same principle applies to the problems we discuss at The Veterans Club—sometimes, they require time and creativity to solve. But no matter what, we focus on solutions.

One important rule in our discussions is to avoid negativity. Some people just want to complain, but The Veterans Club is all about solutions. We avoid defeatism at all costs.

The Power of Stories and Reflection

Often, our discussions involve sharing stories from our younger days. Remembering how strong or resilient we were helps us focus on the possibility of solving today’s issues. These stories serve as a reminder that we still possess the strength and resilience to face new challenges, regardless of our age or circumstances.

Our discussion topics range from politics and community events to stories of service. No topic is off-limits. We’ve talked about combat, the daily struggles faced by law enforcement officers, and even about death. No matter the topic, the goal is to use the discussion to strengthen the lives of every man and woman in the room.

It’s important to keep in mind that our mission is not to save the world. More often than not, our mission is to save one person. The strength we derive from our weekly meetings arms us to be a shield for someone else—whether it’s a fellow veteran, a lonely senior, or a youth struggling with life.

The Ranger Buddy Spirit

This brings me back to the concept of a Ranger Buddy. My Ranger Buddy was there in basic training to help me keep going, to instill that “can-do” spirit, and to push me to take the next steps. In the civilian world, my Ranger Buddies—whether they are fellow veterans or friends—do the same. They remind me that, with the right support and mindset, we can overcome any challenge.

Ed Bejarana is the founder of The Veterans Club and a proud U.S. Army veteran. He served in the 3rd Armored Division Band in Frankfurt, Germany, from 1987 to 1989. Now residing in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, with his wife of over 33 years, Ed runs a small digital marketing and website development business and is also an accomplished audiobook narrator. He is dedicated to supporting veterans and fostering community connections through his work and passion projects.

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