Paths of becoming an Army Ranger

baseball1842

5-Year Member
Joined
Feb 22, 2010
Messages
2
I want to be a Ranger. I am doing army ROTC. I was wondering about all the possible ways on becoming a Ranger?
 
I want to be a Ranger. I am doing army ROTC. I was wondering about all the possible ways on becoming a Ranger?


Well- the 75th Ranger Regiment is not a branch of the Army- it is a unit with 3 Battalions located at Ft Lewis, Ft Benning and Ft Stewart. I'm assuming that you are talking about going into the 75th Ranger Regiment as an officer. So - as a Lieutenant you can apply to be assigned to the Ranger Regiment if you are a Ranger Qualified officer and have successfully completed an assignment as a Platoon Leader. If you are asking about getting the Ranger Tab- the only way that happens is successful completion of the Ranger School which is basically about 61 days of misery located at Ft Benning, Dahlonega Ga and Eglin AFB (and anyone who tells you they enjoyed any of it - especially Florida- is lying thru their teeth!). They used to send selected ROTC and USMA cadets in the summer to Ranger School- this no longer happens as the % of recycles is very high and Cadets can't immediately recycle. Getting Tabbed doesn't mean that you will be accepted to the regiment - most Infantry officers and many other Combat Arms officers and even some CS and CSS branch officers will have the tab - you still have to apply to get assigned to the regiment.
You can enlist for the 75th- but you should talk with a recruiter for the details of that option.
 
When Bullet was "on loan" to the 82nd from the AF as an ALO he sent several enlisted members to Ranger school. Bruno is correct it is misery. The most important thing I can say is that to survive Ranger School you not only need to be mentally prepared, but physically. It is not for someone that thinks playing football or LAX makes me capable in strength.

Bruno is also correct saying the water aspect is very intense. Guys that Bullet sent spent months in the pool treading water with their entire uniform on, including boots. You have to be a very very strong swimmer...think lifeguard at the beach swimming through undercurrents and bringing a 200 lb person back with you...not a lifeguard at the Y rescuing a 5 yo!

Good luck, the rewards at least 10 yrs ago was you got to wear a different color beret and everybody knew from 100's of feet away you were the ultimate warrior.
 
Good luck, the rewards at least 10 yrs ago was you got to wear a different color beret and everybody knew from 100's of feet away you were the ultimate warrior.

In fairness, some consider 'Force Recon' the ultimate warriors :wink:
 
AS far as I am concerned they are all ultimate warriors...call me silly, but I would never want to carry on my back 70lbs of rocks through a swamp in the middle of the night:eek:

It takes a truly dedicated person to put their mind and body through that. Honestly, I think a lot more has to do with their minds ability to push through it than their body regarding surviving.

I will admit that when Bullet was at the 82nd his det was attached to the SEALS and Delta. The toys they have are jaw dropping to say the least!
 
Tough to say. They both have different missions. In all fairness Force Recon does have more training, but I don't think anyone can come out of RIP or Ranger school and say it was easy. I have heard some amazing stories from Rangers...I recall one who was on a recon mission and was in his fox hole for 8 days strait, not leaving it once.
 
Bruno, My husband said he did enjoy one part of Ranger School -- the bus ride back from FLA to Benning! :thumb:
 
I would guess that it is still open to all services....

I heard that it is still open to all services. A TACP spoke to us during NCLS, he actually works down at the airflield right now, he has his ranger tab.
 
Correct me if I'm wrong....but until recently the Marine Corps was Special Ops capable, but not considered "Special Operations". Again, focus on "until recently."
 
Correct me if I'm wrong....but until recently the Marine Corps was Special Ops capable, but not considered "Special Operations". Again, focus on "until recently."

http://www.marines.mil/unit/marsoc/Pages/about/About-MARSOC.aspx

Force Recon was renamed MARSOC (Marine Special Operations Command) recently. Every MEU is stil Special Ops capable, but these guys actually work under SOCOM. It is a recent change circa 2005. Marines didn't want to be left out of all the "cool fighting" the SEALs and SF were getting to do.
 
Back
Top