The condition that is being in the military is an unusual one; on one hand, you can be asked to do things that a normal 18-25-year-old should never do, and on the other hand, the melting pot of the military can make a 45 year old man feel and act like they are 18 again.

The struggle of reintegrating back into a normal life upon returning home is real. You are removed from a high-intensity environment in which everything physically and mentally is demanded of you, and put back into the world where you worry about normal home life, like taxes and getting your trash to the curb on time. The intensity that was demanded of you, while dangerous, can also be energizing. When that intensity is gone, and the demand is gone, Soldiers and Veterans have been known to turn to self-destructive means to fill that gap.

The Barracks Rangers provide many things for Soldiers and Veterans. We not only provide that physical and mental demand that they miss from deployment. But we also provide support and brotherhood that many lose upon return from deployment. The bonds that are created when we walk onto the pitch remain off the pitch; our network of ruggers that have worn the Barracks Rangers uniform is ready to help out a fellow Soldier in need, regardless of location or issue.

We form positive outlets for Soldiers and Veterans to deal with day-to-day stressors, and a network of individuals to help with any issue.

And we like rugby. A lot. And we really hope that you will as well.