Does an Infantry officer need to go to Ranger School to be in Infantry?

Cadet 2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 16:21:49 -0400

Infantry officer requirements is ranger school?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2021 3:58 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 19 Jun 2021 03:58:08 -0400

You don't. That's not to say being tabbed wouldn't hurt you, but it's not required and certainly not all 11A's are Ranger qualified.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2021 8:27 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 19 Jun 2021 08:27:01 -0400

It's not a "requirement".
However, if you end up commissioning active component, you will go to Ranger School following IBOLC. In the active component, an IN LT without a Ranger Tab would be in the bottom 2% for the DA CPT board, and your Company Commander would have a long talk with you about going back to Benning for Ranger School.

In the Army Guard, an IN LT would just be in be in the bottom 97%, not a big deal.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2021 9:01 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 19 Jun 2021 21:01:17 -0400

It is not a requirement but it is an expectation. The career path for an infantry officer includes going to Ranger school. After you complete your infantry basic officer leader course you will go to Ranger school. The success rate is somewhat low but it is better than the average soldier who goes to ranger school. A lot of units have expectations of officers having Ranger tabs. Most premier assignments expect you to have it and if you do not have a ranger tab you may be passed over for somebody who does have a ranger tab. You could have a career without a ranger tab but your chance of taking command of a company in the 82nd is very little.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Jun 19 at 2021 10:00 PM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Sat, 19 Jun 2021 22:00:27 -0400

While it is not a "Requirement" I will tell you that in my entire career I never saw a career-minded infantry officer that did not have his Ranger Tab. If you plan to do 5 and gone, then you choose, even then you will catch much less crap from your seniors and peers if you have your tab. Pay attention when you see Infantrymen greet each other, as they shake hands, upon first meeting, they give a quick look to the top of the left sleeve to do a "Tab Check" ...

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2021 12:12 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 20 Jun 2021 00:12:54 -0400

Not required but highly suggested and recommended.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jun 21 at 2021 12:45 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Mon, 21 Jun 2021 12:45:03 -0400

It's not a requirement but it is extremely helpful if the individual wants to be looked at above their peers

Response by CPT Julius Luck made Jun 26 at 2021 12:18 AM

CPT Julius Luck — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 00:18:34 -0400

Not a requirement, but if you're looking to make it a career, and you can do it, you should.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2021 4:20 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Jul 2021 16:20:24 -0400

Simply, No.

Response by CPT Ryan Lee made Sep 8 at 2021 7:19 PM

CPT Ryan Lee — Wed, 08 Sep 2021 19:19:29 -0400

Speaking as a former Infantry Officer: For all intents and purposes, it is "mandatory" to obtain your Ranger Tab if you are serving as an Infantry Officer. You can go through your Infantry Officer "Basic" training, but it is 99.9999999% expected that you become Ranger qualified. I hope that answers your question Cadet Steve. Best of luck in all your endeavors.

Response by LTC Bill Koski made Sep 15 at 2021 10:34 PM

LTC Bill Koski — Wed, 15 Sep 2021 22:34:03 -0400

No, you don't but it's easier in the National Guard to progress without the tab.