Ranger School Reflections

Yesterday,  Feb. 28, 2014, Sixteen new Rangers completed a month long training at Janes Island State Park.  As with all Ranger Schools they were given the option to name their operational park for the month of School.  So let me welcome you to Greater Annemessex State Park and their adventure and thoughts for the past month........

Southeastern Ranger: When you complete Ranger School, you notice how much things have changed in the four short weeks that we had together. We arrived as 16 new Rangers from 12 different parks and are leaving as one cohesive family; a family that will work and grow together for years to come. The bond that was formed between 16 extraordinarily different people makes every scenario, each uniform inspection, and all of those presentations worth every second.

Breaking the Ice!

Just getting our new campaign hats!

Rangers Pertucci and Ambrose

Ranger Lillard - Oh happy day!

Ranger Hulse on the Ropes course at Tuckahoe

Accessible Trail Project at Pocomoke

 Western Ranger: Ranger School has certainly been a fun adventure.  It’s always hard to know what to expect when going into a whole new experience on the far end of the state.  I left behind feet of snow and mountains to come to the balmy Eastern Shore, a land of sand and sun.  What I am most impressed by is how this class of Rangers from across the State of Maryland has come together so well in such a short amount of time. I grew in ways I was not expecting and have learned lessons and made friendships that will last a lifetime.  The most valuable lessons did not come from PowerPoint presentations and lectures, but instead from our interactions with each other.

Another crazy learning game!

They threw us out of the Lodge - time to survive in the great outdoors!

Water Rescue Training

Life Jackets on - Check!

Ranger Crenshaw on the Ropes Course at Tuckahoe

Learning a bit of basic electrical wiring!

Central Ranger: On February 3, 2014 I had the indelible experience of meeting 15 of the most incredible men and women I have ever had the pleasure of working with. I was awestruck at the quality and varied talents that this clan brought to the table. On Friday, February 28th, these awesome people will become Maryland Park Rangers and will be fulfilling the Maryland Park Service mission at a park near you. Be prepared for Rangers ready and willing to manage Maryland’s natural, cultural, historical, and recreational resources while providing the best use for the benefit of you, the people. One of the proudest moments in my life thus far, has been the honor of getting to know and work with these men and women, this new breed of Ranger. God bless us all!

History was made on Graduation Day - when Ranger Bryon Rochon from Seneca Creek State Park became the first Ranger to receive both the Dean's Award and the Ranger Award!

Ranger Crenshaw shared some class superlatives during graduation - moments these Rangers will remember for their entire careers.

Lt. Col. Bushman administers the Ranger Oath - the moment where it really sinks in that you are now an official
 Maryland Park Ranger



Congratulations Ranger School Class of 2014