The Ranger Regiment's Fighting Platoon Sergeant
From The Spear by Modern War Institute at West Point
April 6, 2026 · 48 min
About this episode
Retired Command Sergeant Major Curt Donaldson discusses leadership and culture within the 75th Ranger Regiment, sharing insights from his military career and experiences in combat.
In this episode hosted by MWI's Charlie Faint, Retired Command Sergeant Major Curt Donaldson reflects on a career shaped by the 75th Ranger Regiment’s relentless standards, emphasizing that true leadership begins with genuinely caring for people while holding them—and yourself—accountable. He discusses the Regiment’s culture of meritocracy, where every Ranger meets the same standard and is continuously assessed, and explains how disciplined environments and strong leadership pipelines produce exceptional leaders over time. He also describes the Regiment's fighting platoon sergeant concept, and his own rise through the ranks to become the command sergeant major of the storied 75th Ranger Regiment. Through stories from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, Donaldson highlights the importance of calm, decisive leadership in chaos, the power of shared hardship in building trust, and the enduring value of culture, communication, and personal example—lessons he now carries into mentoring veterans and his life after military service.
People in this episode
Host: Charlie Faint
Guest: Curt Donaldson
Topics covered
- leadership
- military culture
- Ranger Regiment
- mentorship
- combat experience
- accountability
Keywords
- Ranger Regiment
- leadership
- military
- combat
- mentorship
- accountability
- culture
- trust
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: 75th Ranger Regiment, Modern War Institute, West Point
Places: Iraq, Afghanistan
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