#80 John Lovell - Army Spec Ops Dude Recounts the Hardest Portion of Ranger School | Part 1
Oct 23, 2023
auto_awesome
Former Army Ranger turned creator, homesteader and best-selling author, John Lovell, recounts his childhood and early life. They discuss school shootings, mental health for transitioning veterans, childhood adventures, transformative journey to Christianity, government failures, financial diversification, personal transformation through faith, impact of 9/11 on mindset and training, and intense missions during the first deployment.
The guest discusses his childhood and teenage years, including being a troublemaker and participating in activities like wrestling and go-kart racing, highlighting the importance of early life experiences in shaping his journey.
The guest shares how he made the decision to join the military, specifically aiming for special operations, driven by a sense of duty after 9/11 and a strong commitment to prepare mentally and physically for the challenges ahead.
The guest recounts the transformative moment in his military career when he converted to Christianity, describing it as the foundation for all his successes and victories, emphasizing the significance of repentance, confession, and love for Jesus.
Deep dives
Life before joining the military
The guest discusses his childhood and teenage years, including being a troublemaker and participating in activities like wrestling and go-kart racing. He also talks about his parents' sporadic affiliation with different religious denominations.
Decision to join the military
The guest shares how he made the decision to join the military, specifically aiming for special operations. He mentions wanting to give back, feeling a sense of responsibility after the 9/11 attacks, and training himself physically and mentally for the challenges ahead.
Training and experiences in Ranger Battalion
The guest goes on to discuss his time in Ranger Battalion, specifically in Rip (Ranger Indoctrination Program) and Ranger School. He describes the rigorous physical and mental challenges, the importance of proving oneself to earn a place in the unit, and the difficult dynamics with his team leader. He also mentions deployments and being prepared for war.
Transformation through faith
The speaker describes a transformative experience he had early in his military career when he converted to Christianity. He recalls feeling like his heart was being broken and his life completely remade. Despite not being actively religious or seeking God, he felt a strong calling to give his life to Jesus. This conversion had a profound impact on him, leading him to repentance, confess sins, and develop a deep love for Jesus. He describes this experience as both the worst and best moment of his life, and credits it as the foundation for all his success and victories in life.
Training and deployment in Ranger Battalion
The speaker discusses his journey in Ranger Battalion, starting from basic training and progressing to more specialized training such as airborne school and Ranger Indoctrination Program (RIP). He explains the culture and expectations within the battalion, where new recruits endure physical challenges and tests to prove themselves, earning the respect of their peers. He highlights the importance of cross-training in various skills and specialties within the battalion. The speaker also mentions his deployment experiences, emphasizing the constant readiness for combat operations and the fast-paced and unpredictable nature of missions. Despite the challenges faced, he expresses a strong camaraderie and the desire to be a part of an effective and well-trained team.
John Lovell is a former Army Ranger turned creator, homesteader and best-selling author. Lovell is the founder of the Warrior Poet Society, a values-based community geared towards training, preparedness, and spirituality.
Part one of this four part series is all about Lovell's childhood and early life. Lovell is a successful and well known creator, but his origin story has largely remained a mystery until now. We also explore his entry into the 2nd Ranger Battalion and his radical transformation into a believer.