麻豆女演员

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鈥淚 met God in the mountains.鈥�

These were the words of 2nd Lt. Janine Colantonio, a 2023 graduate of 麻豆女演员 Institute and newly tabbed infantry officer, as she reflected on her experience at one of the Army’s toughest schools鈥擱anger School.

Colantonio graduated from Ranger School on January 24, 2025. Her journey was more than just a test of physical endurance鈥攊t was a crucible of leadership, self-discipline, and perseverance.

A Legacy of Leadership: Inspired to Lead

For Colantonio, the pursuit of excellence wasn’t just a personal ambition鈥攊t was a legacy she was determined to continue.

Her grandfather, Ron Colan, a VMI Class of 1963 graduate, Vietnam War veteran, and engineer officer, played a pivotal role in shaping her decision to transfer to VMI and join Army ROTC.

As a child, she didn’t fully grasp the significance of his service. It wasn’t just his military background that inspired her鈥攊t was the leader he was and the character he embodied. Those same qualities became the foundation for her own pursuit of excellence as a leader.

When her father encouraged her to follow in his footsteps, she saw VMI and ROTC as the path to becoming the best leader she could be.

The Road to Ranger School: A Test of Grit & Competition

Before stepping into the grueling phases of Ranger School, Colantonio honed her skills and mental toughness through VMI’s Ranger Challenge Team. Competing in Army ROTC’s toughest event, she trained alongside like-minded cadets who thrived in an environment of high standards and voluntary hardship.

鈥淚 was drawn to Ranger Challenge because it was a group of individuals who wanted to put in the extra work and challenge themselves. It’s a volunteer competition, and I learned early on that if you want to be the best, you have to get used to being uncomfortable鈥�

That intensity prepared her for the exhaustion, tactical proficiency, and accountability required at Ranger School. More importantly, the experience reinforced a core belief she carried into her military career鈥攚hen you surround yourself with highly driven people, they will push you beyond your perceived limits.

A Test Beyond 62 Days

Ranger School’s “62 and through” mantra is well known. It signifies a Soldier’s ability to complete the course without being recycled鈥攁 straight path through the grueling 62-day challenge.

But for Colantonio, Ranger School wasn’t just about surviving the course鈥攊t was about self-improvement. Endurance, competition, and leadership development didn’t stop at earning the tab.

鈥淵ou want to give yourself the best leadership experience. Ranger School is a place where you can get as close to real combat experience and the stressors that come with it without actually being in combat.”

Her mindset would soon be tested in ways she never expected.

Endurance: The Power of Pushing Forward

Ranger School is a brutal test of endurance鈥攁 relentless cycle of food deprivation, sleep deprivation, and nonstop movement through some of the toughest environments imaginable.

Yet, for Colantonio, the toughest challenge wasn’t physical鈥攊t was facing failure head-on.

After successfully completing Infantry Basic Officer Leader Course (IBOLC) and Ranger Assessment Phase (鈥淩AP Week鈥�), she entered phase 1 of Ranger School, but was unexpectedly dropped鈥攁 setback that forced her to ask herself:

鈥淒o I really want this?”

Instead of giving up, she did what true leaders do鈥攕he self-reflected, sought honest feedback, and refined her approach.

鈥淢ost people in Ranger School are used to being one of the best. Pride gets to you. But this experience forced me to be honest with myself and recognize areas where I needed to improve.”

She reached out to her peers, asking them bluntly:

鈥淲hat do I need to do better?”

Unlike those who complete Ranger School in 62 days, Colantonio’s journey required four attempts before earning her tab鈥攖otaling over 190 days in the course.

Her two grueling rotations through Mountain Phase pushed her to new levels of physical and mental endurance. By the time she reached Florida Phase for the second time, she was determined to finish what she started.

鈥淚t鈥檚 what’s expected of us, and I wanted to show up to my platoon as the best and most experienced leader that I can be.”

Camaraderie: The Ranger Brotherhood

While Ranger School is designed to push individual limits, no one succeeds alone. The experience forged some of the strongest bonds Colantonio has ever had.

鈥淩anger School teaches you to be selfless. You can go in thinking you’re a team player, but when you’re wet, starving, and exhausted, the only thing that matters is the mission and the people to your left and right. That’s when you truly learn what it means to put others before yourself.”

Through extreme adversity, Colantonio built deep trust with her Ranger buddies, knowing that in the hardest moments, they had her back鈥攁nd she had theirs.

Hardship and Faith: Meeting God in the Mountains

The Mountain Phase of Ranger School is infamous for its harsh terrain and brutal conditions, and for Colantonio, it became more than just a physical challenge鈥攊t was a test of faith.

鈥淥ne time, I turned to the guy in my squad and said, ‘This is horrible. This is not fun.鈥欌��

But in those moments of suffering, something kept her moving鈥攖he people around her.

鈥淵ou have guys fighting for their ‘go’鈥攁 wife, kids, siblings back home鈥攁nd they’re pushing themselves to make it through. You want to do the same when it’s your turn. You want other people to fight for you to get your ‘go’ just like you fight for them.”

It was this shared hardship, this mutual sacrifice, that defined Ranger School.

Lessons for Future Leaders: Never Quit, Never Settle

Colantonio’s journey through Ranger School is a testament to the power of competition, the necessity of endurance, and the strength of team camaraderie.

For future cadets who aspire to follow her example, she offers this advice:

鈥淣etwork, seek out mentors, and don’t be afraid to push yourself into uncomfortable situations.”

The Road Ahead

With her Ranger tab earned and her next assignment to the 101st Airborne Division, Colantonio is more than just a graduate of one of the Army’s toughest schools鈥攕he is a leader forged through hardship, competition, and an unwavering refusal to quit.

Because true endurance doesn’t stop at ’62 and through’鈥攊t extends far beyond the tab, into the Soldiers she will lead and the challenges she will continue to overcome.

麻豆女演员 Institute Army ROTC proudly honors its alumni, who continue to set the standard for leadership and leadership in the U.S. Army.