75th Ranger Regiment or 82nd Airborne Division?

Jake Lang — Tue, 11 Aug 2020 21:13:06 -0400

Hello RallyPoint, hope everyone is well. This is merely a comparison on the everyday life and jobs of both units. I aspire to enlist with as an infantry soldier soon as I am finished with my current degree program. As the title suggests, I'm asking for the specific details of the differences between two of the most distinguishable units in the Army (one in the Big Army and one in USASOC). I understand the 75th is a Special Ops unit with a very specific task (a job and position that many infantrymen dream of), but both units speak to me in what I would want to do in the Army. I also understand that just passing Airborne School doesn't guarantee me a spot in the 82nd, but from what I've heard on here and from a lot of other vets, it is the (overwhelmingly) most likely unit that I would be stationed with, just as well as that I understand that RASP is without a doubt the most difficult and trying 60+ days that I would go through if I chose that path.

Many consider the 82nd an already elite unit amongst other Army units with it's 18 hour deployable attribute (just like the Rangers), but they are still quite comparable to a line infantry/standard light infantry unit. The thought of slogging through a 25 mile ruck with the rest of your company, providing general forced entry into denied access areas, being the "tip of the spear" for general infantry, acting as the "hammer" during operations and the utmost amount of large-scale violence to the enemy, or just being out in the field during either exercise or deployment, all are what is attractive to me in my time in my future enlistment. Without a doubt, the 82nd has a reputation in it of itself.

With that said, the job of an Army Ranger also attracts me as well (again, I understand that many infantrymen dream of having a slot in this unit). We know what they generally do, large-scale direct action missions, they go kicking down the door of some HVT, and either cuff or plug him and get rid of his friends as well, or (back in the old days on rare occasions) they provide force-on-force security for other SOF units (Op. Gothic Serpent) or raiding a whole enemy encampment, or the occasional special recon mission. Again, a job that many infantrymen desire. They may be the "scalpel" during operations, but I love that the 75th still has the job and capabilities of an infantry unit. And without a doubt, their reputation far precedes them.

My inquiry today is mostly to refine my knowledge on both units' jobs (and perhaps their daily life during down-time or training) so I can make a better informed decision and to make sure that either one is truly a better decision for me. Both are Global Response Force units, both are "tip of the spear" units, both units have my most forefront attention.

My main questions here are:

1. What are your guys' impressions/thoughts on each other and each other's jobs? Is there anything that the 82nd provides that the 75th wouldn't mind having in their toolbox and of course what are the things that the 75th does that the 82nd would love to do for work as well, and is there anything that either of them do that I am not aware of, yet?

2. What is the daily life like compared to both the 82nd and 75th (both Tabbed & non-Tabbed)? How do each soldiers get along with the rest of their comrades in their units, etc.?

3. What is the overall general attitude of each unit? Are there more or less people that are not as motivated to be there? What is the RFS rate of both units?

4. Which unit is more likely to have an "us versus them" mentality (my apologies, but I just seem to see that a lot these days) or a laid-back attitude (not in their work, but in treating others outside of their unit) with other people? Sadly, personal experience along with stories from trusted friends (both vets and non-vets) with certain members/veterans of certain units have left me with a bad taste with them (I understand that is a "people/human/individual" thing in general, but I can't help but feel it more with - again - guys from certain units with their attitudes on things, still much respect and appreciation to those who serve, regardless).

5. What is life like after service for both units? Is there more camaraderie amongst veterans of either units that remain after you leave service?

Overall, I would be extremely honored if I had the privilege to serve under either units, but with that said, I plan to do just a one term contract (I made a promise to my fiancee [soon to be wife] that we would be back to continue our lives in our current professions). If there is something that I missed, please do let me know. I look forward to the wisdom that you all will hopefully provide. Once again, hope everyone is doing well.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2020 9:17 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Aug 2020 21:17:32 -0400

You probably won't have the choice.

Just ask for Airborne in your contract. Volunteer for RASP while in Airborne school. You probably won't make it and that's ok. The 82nd is filled with people who failed RASP and it's still a great organization. If you make it through RASP, then great - you're a Ranger! If not you go to the 82nd and become a super duper Paratrooper and still get to make fun of Legs

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Aug 11 at 2020 10:01 PM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Tue, 11 Aug 2020 22:01:22 -0400

I spent a total of nearly 15 years in the 82d Airborne Division. In my opinion it is without a doubt the best light infantry division in the world. The Troops and Leaders are top shelf. Everyone there is a volunteer and wants to be there. It is the only Forced Entry Capable unit of it's size in the world. Wheels up, anywhere in the world in 18 hours.
This being said, "Division" (There are many divisions in the US Army, but only the 82d is referred to and known Army wide as "Division") is a tough unit to be in, is on mission cyle often, and will be deployed more often than most units.
Those of us that had the honor to wear the "Double A" will tell you there are two units in the Army, outside of USASOC, Those two units are "Division and those units that wish they were Division"
Anyone that disagrees, Well....who listens to "Legs" anyway...All kidding aside, the 82d is a Great Unit, with a long history, pride in it's battalions and it sets the standard. You will not regret a tour at FOrt Bragg with the All Americans and you will for the rest of your life identify with and be part of the All American Division. Aside from the 2 years I spent in a Long Range Surveillance Company, the 15 years I was in Division was the best time of my life.

Response by Isaiah Hughley made Aug 11 at 2020 10:33 PM

Isaiah Hughley — Tue, 11 Aug 2020 22:33:44 -0400

You’ll get deployed way more and get a chance to go to the best schools in the army if you go to the 75th.

Response by CSM Michael Chavaree made Aug 11 at 2020 11:10 PM

CSM Michael Chavaree — Tue, 11 Aug 2020 23:10:11 -0400

No comparison, life in the Regiment was pretty great. Life in Division was a joke. They are way behind on tactics/equipment/leadership. In my opinion they dont encourage free thinking mindset that SOF capitalizes on. I was not impressed with the 82nd.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2020 1:56 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Aug 2020 13:56:36 -0400

I served in both.
Go to RASP.
That is all.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Aug 13 at 2020 12:04 AM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Thu, 13 Aug 2020 00:04:10 -0400

What degree program?

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Aug 13 at 2020 9:43 AM

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA — Thu, 13 Aug 2020 09:43:31 -0400

Your questions in order:

1.) The 75th is superior in every way that their roles overlap.

2.) I was Non-Tabbed in both units. Lacking the Tab in Batt sucks. I understand the idea is to make your life suck so you are motivated to get the Tab. However, I've heard one or two Tabs (SPC with Tab) say that things are only marginally better with the Tab. Indeed, I have been in a position where I had the exact same job as a Tab in my squad. The differences were that I got smoked at least a little bit more, and I had to stand at parade rest for him and call him "Specialist" when we both had sham shields on our chests. On the other hand, in the 82nd, no one expects you to have the Tab. You can pretty easily get to 1SG without it, although I've seen a MSG stuck, never getting to actually wear SGM (despite filling SGM roles), because he didn't have the Tab, even though he had a mustard stain on his Master Parachutist badge and two CIBs. The Tab is your ticket to the fast track. It will get you promoted faster than anything else. In Batt, it is essentially impossible (rare circumstances I have witnessed notwithstanding) to make E5 as an Infantryman without the Tab. Ok, back to daily life which is what you asked here. You will spend a lot of time doing nothing in both units. You will spend much more time in PTs in Batt, and the PTs look better. In Batt, we almost never spent the whole night at the range. Nearly all night, yes, but I think I remember only one time when we got back at roughly the start of the next day and implemented a rest plan. At the 82nd, they'll just plan to be at the range for a couple of days... I guess because they suck and can't make stuff happen fast. Going home sooner is better. Ranger food is better.

3.) In Batt, you are better than everyone you pass on the street, and you both know it. In the 82nd, you think you are, except for the SF guys, but not so much. You don't get RFSed from the 82nd. Many people don't want to be there, but they just stay unless they refuse to jump, which looks extremely bad and has serious repercussions. In Batt, if you want to leave, you leave. I don't know what the RFS rate is for Batt, but it is not easy to stay, and things far beyond your control can affect it and sweep you up. For example, in my case, I got one chance to attend Ranger School before RFS. A very large number of Rangers fail Ranger School and get a second chance, but they were downsizing at that time, so I only got one shot.

4.) If I understand your question correctly, I think I have already answered it. Both units see themselves as set apart, although they are capable of working with outsiders.

5.) The 82nd has more enduring camaraderie for those who were there only briefly or even those who served in other Airborne units. In my observation, you have to spend a lot of time in Batt before you are really considered a permanent part of the community, although there is a Ranger Association that you can join if you have spent a year in a Ranger unit. I observed that Rangers who wanted to leave Batt for any reason besides going to CAG (even if they wanted to go to SF) are treated as outsiders, because "why would you want to do anything but Ranger Batt? SF guys aren't leaders, and they do stuff besides killing people."

Response by SSG Ken Potts made Jun 28 at 2021 10:36 AM

SSG Ken Potts — Mon, 28 Jun 2021 10:36:31 -0400

Personal choice if you haven't enlisted yet. First things first, you need to enlist with jump school in your contract. You must be airborne qualified before putting in a packet for ranger school. Or enlist for ranger direct.