Posted on Oct 15, 2019
Trying to decide between trying out for Ranger Battalion or Special Forces. What are the major differences between the two?
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I want to understand how both sides operate so I can decide which one would be the best fit for me. What is life like on an ODA or in the battalion and what kind of missions would I be doing?
Posted in these groups: 
Special Forces
Ranger
Special Forces Ranger
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
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It's says you're Infantry, Rangers are a very well trained Airborne Light Infantry unit. If you want to be Super Grunt, go Ranger. Expect to be in the field a lot. Haven't heard much about their deployment cycle recently.
Read the book "Horse Soldiers" for a view of the primary mission of a SOF ODA. It's the book that the movie "12 Strong" was supposedly based, but read the book instead. These guys get deployed all the time and usually to the real shitholes in the world.
Read the book "Horse Soldiers" for a view of the primary mission of a SOF ODA. It's the book that the movie "12 Strong" was supposedly based, but read the book instead. These guys get deployed all the time and usually to the real shitholes in the world.
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They have different purposes. Rangers are the premier direct action force of the military. i.e. they kill people, seize airfields, lots of shooting.
Special Forces are the Masters of Infantry training. Their primary job is to train guerillas/partner force SOF to conduct military operations in support of the standing government (Foreign Internal Defense) or to overthrow the standing government (Unconventional Warfare - Guerilla Force).
Also, you may stay in the Guard to be SF, you will need to be active duty to become a Ranger.
Special Forces are the Masters of Infantry training. Their primary job is to train guerillas/partner force SOF to conduct military operations in support of the standing government (Foreign Internal Defense) or to overthrow the standing government (Unconventional Warfare - Guerilla Force).
Also, you may stay in the Guard to be SF, you will need to be active duty to become a Ranger.
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PFC Donnie Harold Harris
WE trained Rangers at Fort Benning in the early 70s. My barracks was next to there. I was part of a training company where I drove an APC. There worked early day to late nights. I was proud of them. Although i did not tell them so. I was trained infantry and had experienced lots of patrols in Korea when I got to Benning. They where the best I saw any where.
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Main difference is Special Forces will make it easier to get that book deal afterwards...
Seriously though, a logical progression would be to try for Ranger Batt first. If you can't make it into the Rangers, you most certainly can't make it in SF. The Rangers are basically the SF's JV.
Seriously though, a logical progression would be to try for Ranger Batt first. If you can't make it into the Rangers, you most certainly can't make it in SF. The Rangers are basically the SF's JV.
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CSM Michael Chavaree
For instance I served in the Ranger Regiment for several years and have worked with Special Forces for several training events and deployments. Where do you base your opinion from?SFC Michael Hasbun
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SFC Michael Hasbun
CSM Michael Chavaree - A few years working with CJSOTF and CJ SOAC downrange. It seems like you heard it from the Rangers perspective, I heard it from the SF perspective. It makes sense that each would view the other differently.
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CSM Michael Chavaree
Rangers are in no way SF’s JV, post an origanal post on RP saying just that and see how fast you get laughed at SFC Michael Hasbun
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