Ranger Challenge--Worth it in the Long Run?

[WStepup]

Hey, everyone, MS1 Army ROTC cadet here. Just wanted to ask if Ranger Challenge is worth it in the long run. I did it this past year, and thought it was extremely overhyped and frankly not that hard. Certainly not worth taking almost a full week off of school. I go to a school with a very small ROTC program, so I almost feel obligated/pressured to join the RC team again. However, the Fall '22 semester is likely to be one of the hardest semesters of my entire college career, so I would rather not take the GPA hit by doing RC, but I wanted to ask for input (especially in regards to OML) before I decide either way.

For what it’s worth, I am hoping () to branch aviation.

Thanks in advance!

 

[cb7893]

Hey, everyone, MS1 Army ROTC cadet here. Just wanted to ask if Ranger Challenge is worth it in the long run. I did it this past year, and thought it was extremely overhyped and frankly not that hard. Certainly not worth taking almost a full week off of school. I go to a school with a very small ROTC program, so I almost feel obligated/pressured to join the RC team again. However, the Fall '22 semester is likely to be one of the hardest semesters of my entire college career, so I would rather not take the GPA hit by doing RC, but I wanted to ask for input (especially in regards to OML) before I decide either way.

Thanks in advance!

Long run as in 7 years post-commissioning?

My DS got his Ranger Tab last June. As a cadet, he never had any interest in Ranger Challenge or branching infantry. He was more interested in his GPA to help his OML and in taking advantage of courses that really interested him and that he felt would benefit him in the long run. He was not, and still is not a Hooah type. He understood that his approach might make him stand out somewhat and not in a positive way. That being the case, he found different ways to be a good teammate, in and out of the ROTC context. He probably spent more time in the gym than most of the other cadets. He made a point to show up 10 minutes early for PT and be one of the first, if not the first, to cross the finish line of every ruck march and of every timed event.

The moral of the story is to use your time in college and ROTC to pursue what interests you. That is where you'll get the biggest payoff for your efforts. If that means RC, then by all means do it. It may factor into your OML for branching combat arms, but it will not give you a leg up if you go to Ranger School 5-7 years from now.

Best of Luck!

 

[klscad]

My DS is an MS4 at a small school. He is an aeronautical science major with minors in military science and airline management. He participated in RC his MS1 year. He did not find it overly challenging, but the stress of the additional work outs was in direct conflict with his ability to maintain good grades and earn his pilots license. He chose, despite pressure from Cadre, to discontinue RC to focus on his grades and was in several clubs to work on OML. He also interviewed for leadership positions throughout. He became a squad leader and then a 1st LT within the program. He also worked on skills such as land navigation and operational planning so that he ended up excelling at CST. When in leadership he focused on team building and the success of those under his command.

Bottom line was that although Cadre was disappointed in his non participation in RC, he still did well in other areas that interested him. He is commissioning in May and is branching Active Duty Aviation.

 

[nature boy]

If you think your GPA will take a hit-then it's not worth it. You can pick up OML points somewhere else: athletics, fraternity officer, volunteer work/employment, color guard, a language, etc.