That's What it Takes to Wear the Hat
by Ranger Darren Cooke

--- I'd like to pretend that I knew what I was getting into when I took that state exam back in 1999, but the truth is, I just wanted the Stetson Hat. Little did I know what it took to get it. Written after experiencing Ben Clark Academy basic training summer 2000.

It started out with a long hot drive,

to the land of palms and smog in a place called Riverside.

 

We learned how to do right face, left face, about face, yeah and we did alright,

But what we learned best was, "quarter turn to the right" (that's for pushups)

We had "Black Friday" with D. Milosch, Andre Ramos and Deputy Epps too,

And after a million push-ups . . . Mr. Martin ended up on O-2.

 

Chorus: Yes we survived all of that.... That's what it takes to wear the Hat.

 

We did building searches, vehicle stops, and learned to drive real fast,

We learned PCs, DTs did PT and got pepper sprayed and gassed.

We met "Mr. Rope" and ran Mt. Rubidoux,

We learned that Rangers don't eat mmmmaple bars, or they'll run too slow.

 

We graduated and drove up to beautiful Mott,

Then we re-did PT and DT and really learned a lot.

We had lots of courses on resources and even one on restoration,

With triage tags and trauma bags, we checked airway, breathing, and circulation

 

Chorus: Yes we survived all of that.... That's what it takes to wear the Hat.

 

Before medication we did interpretation and did slide shows down to the wire

And Ranger Gould had us all sold when he taught us how to build a camp fire

Pielenz's program taught us the difference between a Mountain Lion and a Bobcat,

And Robin took one glance at Probst's Spandex underpants and quickly declared them a Hazmat.

 

Chorus: Yes we survived all of that.... That's what it takes to wear the Hat.

 

Now we're ready to go although we liked it so, for we're prepared to get started

First we'll do some fishin' then support our State Park Mission.... Whole hearted

So don't you fear, grab your gear, and be sure to don your Hats

Now don't be a stranger, you're a "generalist" Ranger . . . how sweet is that!

That's What it Takes to Wear the Hat
by Ranger Darren Cooke

--- I'd like to pretend that I knew what I was getting into when I took that
state exam back in May of '99, but the truth is, I just wanted the Stetson Hat.
Little did I know what it took to get it.

written after experiencing Ben Clark Academy basic training

It started out with a long hot drive, to the land of palms and smog in a place called Riverside.   We learned how to do right face, left face, about face, yeah and we did alright, But what we learned best was, "quarter turn to the right" (that's for pushups) We had "Black Friday" with D. Milash, Andre Ramos and Deputy Epps too, And after a million push-ups . . . Mr. Martin ended up on O-2.   Chorus: Yes we survived all of that.... That's what it takes to wear the Hat.   We did building searches, vehicle stops, and learned to drive real fast, We learned PCs, DTs did PT and got pepper sprayed and gassed. We met "Mr. Rope" and ran Mt. Rubidoux, We learned that Rangers don't eat mmmmaple bars, or they'll run too slow.   We graduated and drove up to beautiful Mott, Then we re-did PT and DT and really learned a lot. We had lots of courses on resources and even one on restoration, With triage tags and trauma bags, we checked airway, breathing, and circulation   Chorus: Yes we survived all of that.... That's what it takes to wear the Hat.   Before medication we did interpretation and did slide shows down to the wire And Ranger Gould had us all sold when he taught us how to build a camp fire Pielenz's program taught us the difference between a Mountain Lion and a Bobcat, And Robin took one glance at Probst's Spandex underpants and quickly declared them a Hazmat.   Chorus: Yes we survived all of that.... That's what it takes to wear the Hat.   Now we're ready to go although we liked it so, for we're prepared to get started First we'll do some fishin' then support our State Park Mission.... Whole hearted So don't you fear, grab your gear, and be sure to don your Hats Now don't be a stranger, you're a "generalist" Ranger . . . how sweet is that!

December 4, 2002

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