More Search & Rescue (aka “SAR”) training this past weekend. This time, it was all about rappelling.
For some of you, rappelling might be your weekend go-to hobby. This was my 2nd time.
We spend the weekend in north Georgia learning all the basics of rappelling. We learned all the knots: bowline, square knot, figure 8, figure 8 follow through, figure 8 on a bight, double figure 8, prussic hitch, sheet bend, locking knot.
We learned how to tie our own rappel seat, and then prove that we knew it by heart by doing it in less than 90 seconds. When was the last time you had to physically make something that would literally hold you up? It’s quite the emotional challenge.
We learned how to belay another person, and we learned how it felt when another one of us was below, on belay, and was still learning how to do that. We all had to learn. Pain is a great teacher.
We learned how to lock-off. We cheered each other on when, one by one, we all got it.
When I joined the Georgia state guard (gasdf.us), I joined to (a) run into the danger zone when something went wrong in the state of Georgia, and (b) to show my kids the example of selfless service.
What I did not know I was getting is the best part: the camaraderie, brotherhood, friendship, and encouragement from a group of men and women I’d never met before.
Saturday night around the campsite jawboning with these fellow volunteer soldiers was peak fun. I laughed so hard I almost threw up.
I think that’s what we are all looking for when we join any organization, and specifically, when we join a new company. Simon Sinek discovered and shared that the bond created in small military units is unlike any other professional bond in the world. (https://lnkd.in/gUwrtKyd)
The challenge for all of us who are *not in a small military unit, but in the small business or corporate world, is how do we create an atmosphere that creates a similar bond?
I think the simple answer is for everyone to be present, fighting to accomplish each person’s individual goals, which all combine to meet the organization’s goals. Learn and fight together.
The picture here is me, about halfway down the rappel wall. No, I am not a Ranger. But that emblem is very cool. Makes you aspire to accomplish a tiny fraction of what Army Rangers do in a day.
We do have two retired US Army Rangers in our class. They are beyond words, but they contribute like nobody else to the entire atmosphere. Because they’ve been there and done all of that.
Learning to Rappel
Comments
More from Kevin
-
What’s Your Ted Lasso Talent?
Ever drive home and realize you have no memory whatsoever about driving home? You’re on auto-pilot, completely lost in your thoughts, yet successfully navigating your car in Atlanta (or wherever) traffic? Yeah, me too. Happened just the other day. When I got home, I went out into the yard to do some much needed yard…
-
Search + Rescue Graduation
From November through April, these state guard soldiers endured freezing cold temperatures, inclement weather, and the grueling topography of the north Georgia mountains around Dahlonega to earn what we commonly call “The SAR Tab”. It starts with the understanding that “Search is an emergency!” Everything that follows that mindset is part of the training to…
-
Consistency is King
I used to say often, “Content is King.” Now I believe consistency is more important. Just like physical exercise: doesn’t matter how much you do, just show up and don’t put up a “0”. Do it. Last Tuesday, our weekly Bible study group completed our “season” of Bible study. Our season is generally the school…
-
Do Hard Things: Why?
“Do hard things.” I hear that a lot lately. Actually, that message has probably been pointed at me all my life, but I only started hearing it “lately”. My first instinct upon hearing those 3 words was, “why?” What’s your first gut reaction? Because my first question is “why?”, I pursued that question, and I…
-
Choose the Adventure
Always choose the adventure. That’s a rule for me. Not that every decision has an adventure attached, but many do. When adventure is an option, choose the adventure. ✔️ 2001 – I chose the adventure of building a startup (CWNP) from $250. 13 years later, we were acquired by a P/E firm, and CWNP thrives…
-
I Heart Coffee
I drink 30 oz of coffee every morning. That’s 2 servings from a Yeti rambler. Hot, black, and strong. My wife buys the Costco brand. It’s got an orangy-red label that I’ve never read, because I don’t care. I know a lot of people – my daughter comes to mind – who wouldn’t drink this…
-
Sharpen Your Axe
There’s an old tale about a tree felling contest. The two contestants were charged with chopping down a large tree, and the contest was to be won or lost based on the time it took to chop the tree down with an axe. The first contestant was a young man of 24 years, 6’4″, 225lbs…
-
What’s Your Dream?
Is “The American Dream” dead & gone? Yes or no? Why? I’m a hard “no.” Here’s why. The American Dream, in the late 1800s and throughout most of the 20th century was something like this: * Move to America (or be born here)* Grow up in a community that you remember with fondness and joyful…
-
LV: The Forgotten Trade
We had an intro/discovery call with a prospective low voltage client today. We do these calls all the time. Every call, just like every client, is completely different. This one was different because the client had a plan; an LV spec document. Wow. That’s rare indeed. The spec called for different colored Cat6 cables for…
Leave a comment