Are all instructor positions looked at the same way or do they really separate you from your peers?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 19:22:41 -0400

I'm going to be finishing up my squad leader time next year and I'm interested in becoming a SERE-C instructor. I've heard that all instructor positions are looked at much the same way. However, numerous individuals have mentioned that certain instructor positions outweigh others but no one has been able to explain why.
What would be better for future career progression and why? Becoming a Ranger Instructor or SERE-C instructor?

Response by CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025 made Jul 9 at 2015 7:27 PM

CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025 — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 19:27:34 -0400

RANGER, it is more widely known in the Military/Army community, they are volunteers and will make you some long lasting contacts.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2015 9:22 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 21:22:21 -0400

Although being a Ranger Instructor may carry more weight than being a SERE-C Instructor, being any kind of instructor will benefit you over people who don't have instructor time. For example, two SSG board files up for SFC and every aspect is identical, APFT, NCOER's, awards, deployments, conus assignments, squad leader time, platoon leader time, SSD, NCOES, Mil and Civ Ed but one of you has instructor time and the other doesn't, who's probably going to get selected.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2015 2:29 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 02:29:37 -0400

They are not all the same. I know some want to feel that all of them are equally import but that is not the same. On the officer side if you were to teach at West Point or the War College it would be held in higher regard then OCS. I am sure there are those at OCS that think they are on par with the instructors at the War College but there is a much higher expectation from those at the War College. This is the same with a Ranger Instructor and an Air Assault Instructor. Ranger is a much more Instructor intensive course.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2015 3:03 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 03:03:29 -0400

Awesome, thanks for the insight. Looks like I'll be going to R.I. route then considering I really don't have much of a choice with how under staffed they are.