Lisa Jaster > Quotes

“Classic Ranger School conundrum, formally called the “Prisoner’s Dilemma.” Basically, you could really screw your buddy to benefit yourself. But if you do, everyone gets hurt in the long run if you understand the big picture. This was where the team players really stood out.”
― Lisa Jaster, Delete the Adjective: A Soldier’s Adventures in Ranger School

“In other words, it wasn’t a big deal that I got my period at Ranger School. What mattered was how I reacted. And no, I didn’t ask for a break; I grabbed a tampon and got back in line.”
― Lisa Jaster, Delete the Adjective: A Soldier’s Adventures in Ranger School

“Being a victim mentally releases people from taking control of their destinies.”
― Lisa Jaster, Delete the Adjective: A Soldier’s Adventures in Ranger School

“Allan validated my suspicions when he told me about a news report where a camera crew asked an RI, “What is the difference between the male and female Ranger students?” The RI responded curtly with, “The women don’t complain, they just work.”
― Lisa Jaster, Delete the Adjective: A Soldier’s Adventures in Ranger School

“She surprised me when she said, “Jaster, I know it’s hard to be left behind. The story of two fit, young warriors successfully completing leadership training is fine, but it’s nothing compared to your story. Don’t ever hang your head. Women like me want to see you succeed more than you know and more than we can tell you. You go, mamma. Now get the fuck out of my face.”
― Lisa Jaster, Delete the Adjective: A Soldier’s Adventures in Ranger School

“The discussion should be about strength and ability, not gender.”
― Lisa Jaster, Delete the Adjective: A Soldier’s Adventures in Ranger School

“I was one of the first women to sleep in these barracks since the school was founded in 1950. Change is hard for organizations and people, especially in the military.”
― Lisa Jaster, Delete the Adjective: A Soldier’s Adventures in Ranger School

“One hundred twenty-five soldiers showed up the first day of RTAC. Fifty-three graduated. I finished second overall. The only thing the guy above me beat me on was push-ups.”
― Lisa Jaster, Delete the Adjective: A Soldier’s Adventures in Ranger School

“Thirteen days into Mountains, and we were on Day Four of our ten-day FTX. We got a whole twenty-five minutes of “sleep.”
― Lisa Jaster, Delete the Adjective: A Soldier’s Adventures in Ranger School

“A huge factor in leadership is the ability to deal with stress and still make calm, rational decisions without being so cold you negate the impact of emotions and personalities”
― Lisa Jaster, Delete the Adjective: A Soldier’s Adventures in Ranger School

“Ranger Assessment Phase (RAP) week, the first four days of Ranger School, historically accounts for about 60 percent of the overall failures.6 During this week, we would be tested on our individual physical fitness and tactics, including swimming, rucking, and navigation abilities.”
― Lisa Jaster, Delete the Adjective: A Soldier’s Adventures in Ranger School

“One of my favorite things to say now is, “Adversity doesn’t build character, it reveals it.”
― Lisa Jaster, Delete the Adjective: A Soldier’s Adventures in Ranger School

“When a person fails or succeeds, I am not interested in their adjectives, I am interested in their reactions. When you fail your patrol, can you suck it up and help your buddy pass? Better yet, after you pass your patrol, can you reach down and help lift up those who are struggling to succeed? When the mountains are high and the packs are heavy, can you smile at a beautiful sunset and share a moment of serenity with your battle buddy?”
― Lisa Jaster, Delete the Adjective: A Soldier’s Adventures in Ranger School

“I got a cab to Camp Rogers with two other Ranger hopefuls. It was amusing to watch the other soldiers’ faces when the cab pulled up with me already in it. The two young men initially waved off the driver, insisting they were headed to Ranger School and couldn’t be delayed by my destination. The cabby happily informed them, “She’s going to Ranger School as well!” For a second, the two just stood there, looking at a strange woman eating a Subway sandwich in their ride to Ranger School. Cognitive dissonance at its finest.”
― Lisa Jaster, Delete the Adjective: A Soldier’s Adventures in Ranger School

“The first event was the Ranger Physical Fitness Test (RPFT): forty-nine push-ups, fifty-nine sit-ups, six chin-ups, and a five-mile run in forty minutes.”
― Lisa Jaster, Delete the Adjective: A Soldier’s Adventures in Ranger School

“First major Ranger School lesson learned. Organizational change happens one person at a time.”
― Lisa Jaster, Delete the Adjective: A Soldier’s Adventures in Ranger School

“During our fifteen-minute cab ride, two young men had had their world and expectations flipped upside down—and they were completely cool with it.”
― Lisa Jaster, Delete the Adjective: A Soldier’s Adventures in Ranger School

“Prior to women “invading” Ranger School, the first topic of conversation was if women could hold their own. The second, and much more dominant concern, seemed to be whether or not the standards would change to accommodate the fairer sex. Would we have lighter packs, get more showers, or have a “female” physical fitness standard? I can confidently declare the standards did, in fact, change. They got harder, and everyone knew it.”
― Lisa Jaster, Delete the Adjective: A Soldier’s Adventures in Ranger School

“God, grant me the ability to ignore the people I cannot change; the courage to keep trying to change the people I can; and the wisdom to know the difference.” —My Ranger School serenity prayer”
― Lisa Jaster, Delete the Adjective: A Soldier’s Adventures in Ranger School

“I matched him one for one on push-ups, pull-ups, miles run, obstacles completed, classes taken, etc. What more did he need before he knew I belonged here with him?”
― Lisa Jaster, Delete the Adjective: A Soldier’s Adventures in Ranger School

“I constantly felt the need to validate the women who remained in Ranger School because I knew there would be plenty of doubters.”
― Lisa Jaster, Delete the Adjective: A Soldier’s Adventures in Ranger School