Ron Benton: Rodeo Recruiting Ranger
by Andy Shurtleff // Photos Courtesy of Ron Benton
Ron Benton stepped back from the pistol display counter where he had been helping me, and I was immediately amazed by the most impressive belt buckle I had ever seen.
“Ron, please excuse me, but there is no way that buckle was purchased at a Western wear store.”
He laughed. “Ha. You’re correct, Andy. I got this when I won the Professional Armed Forces Rodeo Association Overall World Championship.”
I had no idea such a group existed, so I asked if he could share a quick intro.
“Sure,” he said.
And so began one of the more unique and intriguing leadership tales I have ever heard.
“So,” Ron began, “I was a lieutenant colonel attending the U.S. Army High School All-American Bowl football game in San Antonio and sitting with Lt. Gen. Dennis Cavin. At the time, he was the leader responsible for meeting recruiting goals for officers and enlisted personnel within the Army Active and Reserve Components.
“We were having a casual conversation when he asked, ‘Ron, what recruiting ideas do you have?’ I had worked as his assistant in the 25th Division in Hawaii in the mid-80s. He was then a very senior major serving as secretary to the general staff, and I got to know him well.”
At the time of that game, the Army’s recruiting performance was below target, so this was not a casual topic. It was clearly important.
“Permission to speak freely, General?” Ron asked.
“I can’t remember when you’ve ever spoken otherwise,” Cavin replied. “So, yes. Go ahead.”
Ron did.
“Well, General, specifically, our current focus strategy is basically FUBAR’d,” he said, using the old military shorthand for fouled up beyond all recognition.
“That is speaking pretty freely,” Cavin told him. “You’ve obviously studied this topic and have never identified a problem without a solution. So, what do you suggest?”
Ron, then 41, had recently taken it upon himself to attend a professional bull riding school just north of Houston, and he had gotten hooked on the sport.
“I was just ridin’ for fun,” Ron said. “I got the challenge and excitement in open pro rodeo and in the old-timer circuit rodeo, too.”
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