Semi-OT: Toughness

[Ben]

We talk a lot here about suffering and HTFU and "going mental" and what a bad man Jens Voigt is. I thought I would share an email I received this weekend updating me on a guy I went to high school with. He's a Ranger and on his second tour in Iraq. He's also soft-spoken, thoughtful, and funny. Anyway, here's the story:

My favorite story from Stephen was about a night patrol in Iraq. He said it was so quiet and everyone was really tense because it just felt like something was wrong. One of the youngest, newest guys said, "I'm cold." So Stephen asked the other guys how they were doing just to get a feel for their mental states. One guy said, "Well, I was cold once, sir. But then I realized, I'm tough as a motherfucker."

There's toughness and then there's toughness.

[ThomasRZ]

This will flash into my head next time I'm caught out in some November rain 40 miles from home.

[d_douglas]

Yeah, that would apply to my wife. I watched her deliver our baby 8 months ago and it made me feel like a complete pussy.

She is/was tough as a motherfucker.

[ides1056]

Exactly the thought I had. The second go-round, which almost killed her, ended in another C-section. Her lips made the shape of an infinity sign as she pushed. She was back to work in a week after the first, but the second took a bit longer to come back from. Maybe two. I don't think she's had eight hours sleep in thirteen years.
That's tough.

[VertigoCycles]

Yeah, that would apply to my wife. I watched her deliver our baby 8 months ago and it made me feel like a complete pussy.

She is/was tough as a motherfucker.

That's important to remember. My wife had a 40 hour labor. I've never been that tough and there's no doubt that I'll never be that tough.

[spamjoshua]

I can not speak to the birth process, but the recognition of the difference between pain that does damage and pain that can be ignored is hugely significant, and a big part of how I perceive toughness.

It is what allows a tri-athlete to swim a gap where boaters drown; to override the bodies inclination to remove blood from the extremities in cold water.

I think it also allows an experienced chef (callouses or not) to pick up things that others would drop. Hot enough to hurt is not necessarily hot enough to burn.

My older brother competed in "Best Ranger" one year, down at Fort Benning, and I went to watch.

Superhuman feats were witnessed repeatedly.

[cantdog]

Exactly the thought I had. The second go-round, which almost killed her, ended in another C-section. Her lips made the shape of an infinity sign as she pushed.

Some men pay big bucks to see a girl do that.

[Chad]

The attitude displayed by that soldier is one of those things you wish you could coach/teach. I think you are forced to learn it while deployed, too many factors you have no control over, you simply do your job and learn to ignore all those uncontrollable factors like heat/cold/dust/bullets/ied's/etc. People ask, "how do you do it?" Honestly you don't have much choice whether or not you do it, your only choice is your attitude while you do it. F.I D.O. I love the military. Hooah.

There are still plenty of folks serving abroad, being shot at daily, seems it isn't newsworthy any longer. Keep them in your prayers. Thanks tons for sharing the story.

[Ben]

Yo Chad, spamjoshua and all the other folks with military connections - I'm not sure it came across in my first post, but I intended that as a show of respect and gratitude for those who have served, are serving, and will serve. I think about the guys deployed every single day.

[Chad]

Came through Lima Charley. Thanks again.

[spamjoshua]

It was indeed clear Ben. Supported and agreed with.

They sacrifice far more than one sees...

[rwsaunders]

Live RPG round removed from soldier...all involved are tough mofos.

Military Videos - Military Times

[quickag]

too many factors you have no control over, you simply do your job and learn to ignore all those uncontrollable factors like heat/cold/dust/bullets/ied's/etc. People ask, "how do you do it?" Honestly you don't have much choice whether or not you do it, your only choice is your attitude while you do it.

This was the biggest thing I took from my time in the Army...I'm teaching this to my kids as they get older. It sure makes life simpler when you look at it that way.

[EddieBirdsell]

Live RPG round removed from soldier...all involved are tough mofos.

Military Videos - Military Times

Thanks Bob.

This video is definitely worth watching. Holy shit.

[mimbresman]

Steve Garro...toughest guy I know.