Apart from pursuing Ranger when I get to my next unit, what can I do as a reclass to 11B to get caught up on the tactics side?

2020-01-14T03:01:46-05:00

Good Afternoon. 14T/E4 writing. I apologize in advance if any of the advice I seek has been broken down on here before. I am the 'classic' 18X candidate (last day med drop type story) - reclassed Air Defense. Been plugging away for the past couple years in this community, juggling a wild OPTEMPO and two easy rotations to the Middle East. I decided awhile back that even through all of the nonsense, I am content with and enjoy my life in the service. Gives me a sense of belonging and purpose I never really found in college or my civilian career. Reenlistment window opens up here in a couple of months, and I am reclassing back to 11B with the hope to return to SFAS after I get some time 'under the gun', maybe a deployment or two.

My question is; apart from pursuing Ranger when I get to my next unit, what can I do to get caught up on the tactics side? I am promotable, but like the idea of showing up at my next unit as a cherry SPC and 'earning' my spot in the squad. I can run for awhile, shoot well, and don't talk for the sake of it.

I have been picking apart THE book and trying to retain as much as I can. I realize there is only so much I can do this point, but I am trying to catch up as much as I can. I expect some good old fashioned hazing for the first couple of months, but Im good with it.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks all.

PS I know better than to talk about my time as a 18X, and will be quiet with my career goals for awhile. As far as Im concerned, my time in the service is just beginning.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2020 3:43 AM

2020-01-14T03:43:08-05:00

There's no reason to be quiet about your career goals, and as you saw, there are a lot of 18X and Opt 40 drops in the Army, so you're not alone. In fact, you'll almost definitely be in a unit with another person who was a drop and training to reattend Selection.
Why don't you just attend SFAS where you are now? You're not going to get more training time to prepare as an 11B. Everyone I see who says they "just need to train up" never actually attends.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Jan 14 at 2020 6:58 AM

2020-01-14T06:58:46-05:00

OK, here is my two cents worth. There is a world of difference between Tactics in Marine or Army Infantry Units and what SOCOM does for a living. While the Army Rangers are one of the worlds premier Light Infantry Units, they are also a very specialized Infantry Unit. The regular Army side of things has some very, very good Infantry Divisions, where IMO you would get a much better foundation for War Fighting beyond the Special Operations community. So if you are looking to gain a wider range of experience before you try SFAS gain, my advice would be to pick up Airborne, if you aren't already, and try to go to one of the units like the 82nd, 101st, 10th, or 25th. These days, if you reclass and go to Airborne, you will end up in one of the Airborne units, but don't shy away from these other units. The 101st is a damn fine unit and the 10th are some of the toughest Mothers in the Army. All of these units have a good number of Ranger School slots and if you are in shape and good at your job, there is a very good change that you will get sent. Get that out of the way and get some 11B experience, then decide if you want to do SFAS. Then if you wash out of selection, you just go back to your unit.

Response by SFC James Cameron made Jan 14 at 2020 7:35 AM

2020-01-14T07:35:30-05:00

Our failures are just as much a part of our growth as our successes. Do not let a failure define you. Learn from it and grow.

That out of the way, there is RSLC, Sniper, ARC and if you play your cards just right even Sapper.

Make yourself a goal and stick to it. That is why you should have a short term and long term goal discussion with your first line during you monthly counselings. Just remember to keep them realistic and attainable.

If you want to go back to SFAS, plan for that.

Good luck.

Response by MSG Allan Davis made Jan 14 at 2020 7:35 AM

2020-01-14T07:35:37-05:00

If I’m reading this correctly you were an 18X medical drop. If the medical drop was a permanent issue that caused you not to option for recycle, then why would you think this medical issue won’t blow you out at Ranger? I completely understand you have a track in mind and want to do what ever it takes to meet your goals. I respect that. I will give you the best advice a Ranger Instructor at RIP back in the day told me. The Ranger School wants to mold you, they want you to be clay to mold and fire and harden. Come in like you know nothing, show up with heart and desire, leave what you think you know behind.” Thats my .02

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2020 11:01 AM

2020-01-14T11:01:35-05:00

Study study study bro a lot of soldier think what we do is easy and mindless but its very calculated study ask questions get clarification a ranger handbook will help but so will team/squad leaders. You have to push yourself no one can learn these things for you (not saying you want anyone to) but they can help you along the way thats what leadership and guidance is there for

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2020 11:58 AM

2020-01-14T11:58:20-05:00

Just go back to SFAS. The longer you wait to go to SFAS, the longer it takes to get your team time, promotions, and group clout. Do ranger after you are 18 series, if you still desire it. If your goal is SF, do that now. You don’t need time “under the gun” BEFORE SFAS/SFQC. Just go now. time spent as an infantryman is time NOT spent as SF. The sooner the better. At least 75% of SF regiment didn’t have infantryman combat experience prior to becoming SF.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2020 3:54 PM

2020-01-20T15:54:36-05:00

A good start is to crack the FM's, TM's and Ranger HB. Even if you don't understand something, you can reach and get an answer. I used to have the Ranger HB and Dismounted Patrolling as my bathroom reading, so did my Privates!

I don't know a whole lot about 14T or Patriot Missile systems. But I don't think you will do much 11B stuff in it. So volunteer to do any OPFOR assignments and anything field related. You will definitely go to RTAC or some sort of Pre-Ranger. Absorb as much as you can, be up-front that your are not a 11 series and always volunteer. I remember we had a sports medicine guy in my RS class. Great guy, hard working, always pitched in. Didn't know shit about being Infantry other than Pre-Ranger. He passed, so there you go.