Special Forces/Rangers

SF1775

5-Year Member
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Dec 5, 2012
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114
I am currently in high school and West Point is definitely my first choice, but I am wondering what the oppurtunities for Special Forces or Ranger training are at USMA. I know that a select few cadets can participate in the SFAS phase of SF training during the summer going into their Cow year as part of MIAD training, but I was wondering if there is any other similar special operations training, such as training for the 75th Ranger Regiment. Also, can a cadet go straight to training for the Rangers after they graduate if they have branched Infantry? Please cite any info for your responses.
 
Unless things change in the future, if you branch Infantry, you should have a slot to Ranger school after IOBC.
 
Cadets can also attend SFAS. But there's only 10 slots and it's extremely competitive.
 
Thanks, but I know that after you receieve you branch selection, then theres a night where, for example, all of the Infantry guys go to a room and the each select the base they want to go to, based on order of merit. So would I be able to select direct deployment to Ranger selection training?
 
Most Infantry LTs will have the opportunity to attend Ranger School immediately following BOLC II. This is not guaranteed, however, and will be even less so in the future with budget issues. There is no "direct deployment to Ranger selection. "
 
Thanks, but I know that after you receieve you branch selection, then theres a night where, for example, all of the Infantry guys go to a room and the each select the base they want to go to, based on order of merit. So would I be able to select direct deployment to Ranger selection training?

No such night where you select where you wanna go.

You have to apply to attend RASP after you've earned your Ranger Tab and received a Secret Security Clearance.
 
No such night where you select where you wanna go.

You have to apply to attend RASP after you've earned your Ranger Tab and received a Secret Security Clearance.

Come again? Post night is definitely a real thing. It occurs in the spring.

However, the selection is for a post and not for a particular unit.
 
Passing on some advice that's been given to me by some wise and experienced folks:

Focus on getting into West Point, excelling as a cadet, and excelling as an infantry officer, in that order. There's plenty of time to worry about sof later
 
Come again? Post night is definitely a real thing. It occurs in the spring.

However, the selection is for a post and not for a particular unit.

last few years, the cadets were able to select conventional brigades (or calvary regiment) pinpoints. Not sure if it is still that way, but it fit with regen cycle for units.
 
Passing on some advice that's been given to me by some wise and experienced folks:

Focus on getting into West Point, excelling as a cadet, and excelling as an infantry officer, in that order. There's plenty of time to worry about sof later

You don't have to be Infantry to get selected for SF.

Ranger Regiment also has non Infantry positions, such as Fire Supporters, MI, Chaplains, etc. Most are Infantry though.
 
I agree with BigBear - concentrate on getting in WP and being a great, successful Cadet. Everything else will fall into place at the proper time.
Another point - these policies change year-to-year. The current policies can and probably will be changed in the future based on many variables such as budgets and needs of the Army.
Over the decades history has shown that the most capable people get the challenging schools and desirable assignments.
 
there are 10 spots for the SFAS (one month screener to get selected for the Q Course; SEALs have hell week, SFAS is like hell month) and I believe you can pretty much get a slot at ranger school if you branch infantry, but that does not put you into the actual Ranger Regiment.
 
Thanks, but I know that after you receieve you branch selection, then theres a night where, for example, all of the Infantry guys go to a room and the each select the base they want to go to, based on order of merit. So would I be able to select direct deployment to Ranger selection training?

First of all I agree with everyone else, focus on even being competitive for admission to USMA. If you don't even get in then your future plans are SOL. I know everyone wants to be all hooah, but understand that those units are looking for experience first, especially in its officers since they will be leading younger soldiers. This means you cannot usually go straight from the Academy to an SF unit or to The Regiment (there are always anomalies or exceptions). You would have to serve your time in a conventional unit first (getting some experience under your belt).

Yes, if you branch infantry then you will usually be slated to go to ranger school ASAP, but serving in the actual unit would have to wait for a few years.

So the bottom line, which has been some recurring advice on this forum, is focus on getting your appointment first; it's one step at a time. Best of luck.
 
First of all I agree with everyone else, focus on even being competitive for admission to USMA. If you don't even get in then your future plans are SOL.

Great advice.

As for the last part, make sure you have a Plan B, When you apply to West Point make sure you apply for the AROTC Scholarship as well. They can both be a path to your goals.
 
CDQC

Cadets can attend CDQC. Source: DS is there now.

My understanding is that this is the last group of cadets that will have the opportunity to try CDQC while at WP due to funding cuts. Hope that is wrong. My DS is there too.
 
Mammabear - I wouldn't be surprised. Although my DS is ROTC and not WP, we have heard similar rumors. It is quite an expensive undertaking. Hope your DS is enjoying himself - I know mine is having the time of his life.
 
Great advice.

As for the last part, make sure you have a Plan B, When you apply to West Point make sure you apply for the AROTC Scholarship as well. They can both be a path to your goals.

Very true, thanks for clarifying. I should have elaborated more.
 
last few years, the cadets were able to select conventional brigades (or calvary regiment) pinpoints. Not sure if it is still that way, but it fit with regen cycle for units.

I was watching a branch night at West Point video and for post selection I definitely saw division and brigade/regiment patches able to be chosen. Perhaps they have started to allow cadets to narrow down their choices.
 
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