Do ARNG Infantry Officers Get Ranger School Slots?

Cadet SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 May 2021 14:59:43 -0400

Hello, I am wondering if ARNG 11A's get ranger school slots right after IBOLC? And once they pass ranger school, do 11A's get opportunities for Airborne and Air Assault?

I noticed for the enlisted side, there is a program called the Ranger Team Leader Initiative (RTLI) that is provided by the ARNG Warrior Training Center which allows enlisted ARNG 11B's straight out of OSUT to get into Ranger and then Airborne. I am having a hard time finding on the internet the path to ranger school for ARNG infantry officers.

If there is anyone who is an infantry officer in the guard that's gotten ranger school and airborne, your wisdom would be greatly appreciated!

And for some extra context, I am trying to go into the Texas ARNG.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2021 5:38 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 May 2021 17:38:36 -0400

I always thought those schools were offered to cadets while still cadets? Has that changed?

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2021 8:32 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 May 2021 20:32:34 -0400

ARNG goes to Ranger School every month, but there is no "path," just a lot of effort to get the school lined up with BOLC and the physical scheduled during BOLC, or set up after you get back to your state.
Airborne in the Guard is an entirely different matter.
You'll need to be assigned to an Airborne unit in TX ARNG to make that happen.

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2021 9:56 PM

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 May 2021 21:56:34 -0400

Be prepared to be disappointed. NG infantry officers do not go to Ranger by default, and you will have to fight hard to make it happen.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2021 8:45 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 May 2021 08:45:39 -0400

Yes they do. I went to Ranger school as a National Guard officer. Your unit will have to get you a slot. Once you complete IBOLC you may have a small break but you will have to go to RTAC at the warrior Training Center. When you pass that then you will go to Ranger school. RTAC is a requirement for all National Guard if you want to go to Ranger school. Texas does send a lot of infantry officers to ranger school so it shouldn't be very hard to get a slot.

Response by Capt Gregory Prickett made May 29 at 2021 7:42 AM

Capt Gregory Prickett — Sat, 29 May 2021 07:42:03 -0400

You will want to go to jump school before Ranger school, if possible. If you can get a slot in the 1-143IN, you will have a much better chance. They are assigned to the 173d Abn Bde, and get more chances at those schools. Try [login to see]

Response by 1LT Kevin Chapman made May 31 at 2021 6:30 PM

1LT Kevin Chapman — Mon, 31 May 2021 18:30:08 -0400

Negative. Unless you’re hard slotted before you get to IBOLC you very likely won’t be going to Ranger.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2021 7:22 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 19:22:33 -0400

If you want to go and your unit let’s you you can go to RTAC and have a slot. I’m not NG, but I had a few kids in my IBOLC PLT that were NG and wanted ranger get hard slots to ranger