Does having a Ranger tab make a difference when being looked at for promotion from O-6 to O-7?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 15:22:27 -0500

Trying to set myself up for the maximum amount of success.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2017 3:25 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 15:25:50 -0500

Serious Long Term Goal there.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2017 3:28 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 15:28:18 -0500

No. And if you are looking at professionally developing schools in terms of how they make you look instead of how they will help you become a better leader, you are destined to fail anyway.

Response by Maj John Bell made Jan 13 at 2017 3:50 PM

Maj John Bell — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 15:50:33 -0500

All things being the same yes. But all things are never the same with box checkers. People get their number.

Response by GySgt Bill Smith made Jan 13 at 2017 4:11 PM

GySgt Bill Smith — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 16:11:25 -0500

Setting the bar a little low aren't you? Lol, I had a roommate that would wake up and say good morning SgtMaj to himself in the mirror. He is an E-7 with a career to be very proud of.

Response by LTC Joseph Gross made Jan 13 at 2017 4:50 PM

LTC Joseph Gross — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 16:50:24 -0500

Everything makes a difference but having a Ranger Tab would not overcome screwing up anything between now and then.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jan 13 at 2017 4:51 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 16:51:02 -0500

Actual experience time. I'm a Mustang which means i went from E-1 to O-6. I sat O-5/6 boards and recorded a Flag board. What you're asking is if one pedigree thing of limited availability makes a difference at that level. Doubtful as the discussion morphs between O-6/7 boards to something different. The tab is one thing. What it made you later is another. When going up for O-6, sure they look at the past and pedigree stuff, but the discussion is focused on likelihood of performing well at O-6. You vote for "Level of Confidence". The same level of crowd also leans in later on what billets you get. I'd characterize O-6 billets as above/below the line. In other words, the serious Flag candidates will be cycled through the "above" set of billets. At the O-7 board, I noted how much more focused it was because they're only picking a very small number, have an idea of what jobs they'd slot them into, etc. How well will that candidate look and feel on The Hill? Temperament. And things not necessarily directly found in the precepts, but good luck seeking flag if you're on your third divorce. They're looking for people they can work with and will fit into the "club". So what you're asking is really determined as much post O-6 board as O-7 board in my experience. As for me, making Flag wasn't on my to-do list. Having challenged a couple Flags on mission without force protection, I presumed I'd not be a perfect fit in the club. It was time for me to leave and pass the baton to the next generation. Never looked back.

Trivia time. Most passionate (read screaming) boards? All three times I was back in Millington, it was the Chaplains hands down. Soundproofing around the "Tanks" only works so well. Loved the Holy Rollers.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2017 7:08 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 19:08:00 -0500

SGT Private RallyPoint Member I like your style and last name. SGM or COL Sword has a nice ring to it!
It would mean more if you served in the Regiment.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2017 7:54 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 19:54:50 -0500

You have that General Star attached to the velcro under your collar for the eventual day? One step at a time.

Go back and re-read what CAPT Kevin B. posted. He has "been there and done that"

Response by SSG Waldo Yamada made Jan 13 at 2017 11:07 PM

SSG Waldo Yamada — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 23:07:08 -0500

Getting a Ranger tab means you are a proven leader. It is a leadership school and that's why the scrolled one's go there because they are proven leaders. It would be an honor to have the Ranger tab, but if you don't go to a Ranger Battalion; more or less you'll be basically a n over glorified technical escort for a top ranked official. I think.

My advice, set up a short-term and long-term goal. Make an I love me book, and find a mentor who can mold you.

Response by 1SG Darren James made Jan 14 at 2017 12:57 AM

1SG Darren James — Sat, 14 Jan 2017 00:57:11 -0500

It's more on how you performed your jobs and what jobs you've held when it comes time for going up for a Star. However, those earlier assignments or the makeup of your career path in general can go a completely different path after you graduate. If you are even thinking about pursuing that long term goal and are up for the task in the short term, I'd say go get your Tab and see your career path after that.

Response by MAJ Mark N. made Jan 18 at 2017 9:58 AM

MAJ Mark N. — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 09:58:36 -0500

Having the tab (along with ABN/AA), and retired as a Major, I feel qualified to say, "not really". As others have said, it is more of what you do (leadership) vs what you have hanging from your uniform. What they do not say is promotion boards can be as objective as subjective. I had several "top block" OER's (old system) and great assignments, but one person on the 0-5 board had a personal vendetta against me, so I was shown the door at 21 years - with my tab and patches in tow.

Response by Cadet PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2017 6:56 PM

Cadet PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Dec 2017 18:56:08 -0500

You've finished your commissioning program yet?

Response by SSG Brian L. made Dec 29 at 2017 5:15 PM

SSG Brian L. — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 17:15:01 -0500

of course

Response by CPT Robert Hampton made Jun 24 at 2018 12:15 PM

CPT Robert Hampton — Sun, 24 Jun 2018 12:15:37 -0400

During the 1970s, the Army did a lot of research into leadership during the Viet Nam war.

For example, we determined that the “every man for himself” practice of sending soldiers individually with individual DEROS / ETS dates had not built cohesive units.

We further identified “crisis in command” issues in which leaders circled the battlefields in helicopters, out of range of small arms fire, to “direct” the battle did not build soldier trust in leadership.

So, your question about Ranger tabs:

We determined what armies have known for millennia, that leaders must share the risks with their soldiers. Leaders must go with the soldiers and face the enemy while taking care of their soldiers.

Soldiers must trust each other. So today we see great unit training in which soldiers practice and deploy together as units. No more “every man for himself.”

If your goal is to be a leader, a soldier, NCO, or officer who is a trusted member of a combat team, then any advanced leadership training is useful.

Just keep in mind that such training comes with great responsibility to protect your soldiers while defeating the bad guys. One generally advances in rank NOT because of the schools he has attended BUT because of his proven leadership.

Response by BG Mike Rowe made Jul 11 at 2023 1:28 AM

BG Mike Rowe — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 01:28:16 -0400