Officers
Ranger
BG
COL
Responses: 15
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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.
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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.
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SGT (Join to see)
Sir you couldn't be more right. I could have the best leadership skills by that point in my life. But still get looked over by someone else who could have the same ORB as me. But have ranger school and he get selected.
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LTC (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see) - what I'm saying is no, it just doesn't work that way. The wickets you go through to get to that stage (like excelling at battalion and brigade command) are so demanding and so selective that no tab on your orb is going to mean a thing. It is your performance in the highest responsibility jobs that matter. It's not like you get promotion points as an officer for a ranger tab.
All your energy and effort should be focused on being the best platoon leader you can be. That's what your soldiers deserve. There are so many variables that will determine how far down the road you will end up that it is not worth a second of thought.
The real question you should be asking yourself is will Ranger School help you to be a better platoon leader, and IMO the answer is a resounding yes. So get your 2LT ass to Ranger School because it will make you a better 2LT. It won't make you a general.
All your energy and effort should be focused on being the best platoon leader you can be. That's what your soldiers deserve. There are so many variables that will determine how far down the road you will end up that it is not worth a second of thought.
The real question you should be asking yourself is will Ranger School help you to be a better platoon leader, and IMO the answer is a resounding yes. So get your 2LT ass to Ranger School because it will make you a better 2LT. It won't make you a general.
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SGT (Join to see)
Oh no doubt, I set the bar high for myself. I'm in for the long haul. And I want a goal that is out of the way, but yet a small percentage to achieve it.
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MSG (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see) - I'm sure the Ranger Tab will be nice to have throughout your career, but it certainly won't set you apart as by the time you get to that stage, there will be others you will compete against that will probably have the Tab, too. Instead, focus on assignments and education. Start researching (if you haven't done so already), all current and past GO's and see what kinds of assignments and education they have in common. In regards to assignments, as an example, every Colonel that I ever saw command both the 11th ACR and Landstuhl Regional Medical Center....everyone of them received a Star on their shoulder somewhere down the road.
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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"
Go back and re-read what CAPT Kevin B. posted. He has "been there and done that"
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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.
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.
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LCDR (Join to see)
CAPT Kevin Ball, PE - Sir, do you mind if I ask what level the Chaplains boards got interestimg at? Was that the flag boards? O5?
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Everything makes a difference but having a Ranger Tab would not overcome screwing up anything between now and then.
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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.
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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.
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Suspended Profile
SGT (Join to see) 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.
It would mean more if you served in the Regiment.
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