I am a 13B who is heading to Ranger School. What do I need to study or practice to be able to pass?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Aug 2016 21:53:54 -0400

Response by ENS Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2016 10:22 PM

ENS Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Aug 2016 22:22:38 -0400

You can buy the Ranger handbook online. Like most special programs, mental toughness is half the game (or more). Stay positive. There is a reason that NSW instructors focus on mental toughness classes so much. You can do the push ups, you can do the sit ups, you can run and ruck until your legs fall off. None of that matters if you don't have the will power to drown out the voice of uncertainty. Stay focused. Be a leader. Attention to detail - know where your men are. Know how many you have at all times. Take responsibility for yourself and your Team. Motivate others, and don't forget that Ranger School is a Leadership school. LEARN from it. Apply what you have learned in your everyday life. Best of luck!

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Aug 21 at 2016 11:27 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Sun, 21 Aug 2016 23:27:35 -0400

SSG Private RallyPoint Member Another recent comment on RP spoke of thinking about 'good' positive, happy things to keep your neurons straight. No CHEESE during the course! 'Blessed be the Cheese that Binds!'!

Response by SGT Tim Soyars made Aug 22 at 2016 12:27 AM

SGT Tim Soyars — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 00:27:55 -0400

Agreeing with the other posts, but an important thing to add. Just don't quit! Put one foot in front of the other and keep moving. "Can't, don't, won't, quit, etc" are not in your vernacular. Memorize the Ranger Creed and follow it. It will not lead you wrong.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2016 7:48 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 07:48:01 -0400

Ranger Creed, your Ranger hand book, OPORDS, troop leading procedures, etc. how did a 13B get a slot I need to join your unit.

Response by MSG Pat Colby made Aug 22 at 2016 9:38 AM

MSG Pat Colby — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 09:38:35 -0400

Make sure you can pass the CWST. If you have never swam in a uniform w/equipment, get your ass to a pool or lake. Toughen up your feet as much as possible. Learn the knots that will be tested in Mountain Phase. You don't want to be one of those guys staying up all night practicing knots. Patrolling is an Art Form. Be intimately familiar with everything in the Ranger Handbook. You should be able to recite each stanza of the Ranger Creed before you even start the course.

Keep a positive attitude. Once the Patrolling starts, the course is designed so the average Joe can pass. All you need is will power.

Good Luck!

RLTW!

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Aug 22 at 2016 11:07 AM

SSG Carlos Madden — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 11:07:14 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member do you have any advice for this SGT?

Response by MSG Dan Castaneda made Aug 22 at 2016 11:42 AM

MSG Dan Castaneda — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 11:42:54 -0400

I would go down there with a mentality, "what ever, how long ever it takes." Do not go down there thinking "Ill be back in 62 days." Recycles are very common and will break your spirit if it happens to you. Especially in Florida. Say to yourself, " I came here to earn my tab, I'm not leaving without it." Then go do it. Regardless of how much you think you are sucking. There will always be individuals sucking worst than you. Lastly, peer evaluations are very big, or at least use to be. Carry your weight and don't be a spot light ranger. Represent your unit and yourself with the outmost respect and you will be fine. Good luck buddy.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2016 12:47 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 12:47:29 -0400

You should go to the ARTBs webpage and study their material. They also have a PowerPoint about ranger school. It tells you a lot. But if you are going to Ranger school you should be going to a Pre-Ranger. Benning has one of the better ones. Must every division had one. If your base doesn't have one I would try to go to Bennings.

I'll tell you the top killers. First, the RPFT is the first challenge. Work on the best push ups you can. After that the CWST but not many fail that. The ruck will claim some also. In reality you can make it if you have the mental toughness. Unfortunately, you can't train on that. You either have it or you don't. Many think they have it but what they have is motivation. That won't last there and they quit. That is why going to a Pre-Ranger is so important. Many don't have a clue of what mental toughness is.

But if you want to study you should get the Ranger School Professional app. It's made by RIs. It has just about all the classes they teach at Ranger School. The Ranger hand book is a bit dated. It is being updated currently. The app is current and has the best info.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2016 12:48 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 12:48:01 -0400

MEMORIZE THE RANGER CREED!!!

As a non-Infantryman you will need to study up on Land Navigation (there is a practical exam and a written test) and be able to perform the Ranger Stakes. The Ranger Stakes are a series of tasks such as Employ a Claymore Mine, Load, Operate, and Maintain an M240B (to include clearing, disassembly, reassembly and functions check) all performed to EIB standards. A list of Ranger Stakes can be found on the 4th RTB homepage. Familiarize yourself with the basics of Raid, Recon, and Ambush. Also Familiarize yourself with React to Contact (near and far), React to Ambush (near and far), React to Indirect, Break Contact, and Patrol Bases and Patrol Base procedures and priorities of work. Notice the key word is "familiarize", Ranger School will teach you what they want to see.

Other than that, you will be taught everything you will have to know during the course, though attending a Pre-Ranger Course is highly recommended to get a feel for Infantry tactics if possible. You can familiarize how to issue an OPORD and a WARNO, but Ranger School has a very specific way they want them so don't get too deep into it. Copy every diagram for how to do patrolling that you will be given into your Ranger Handbook (mechanical pencils and very fine tipped map markers will do wonders in terms of fitting everything in the limited number of blank pages you have). The material they present is what they will grade you off of, however be prepared to make adjustments if an RI "suggests" you do it a slightly different way.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Aug 23 at 2016 6:07 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 18:07:47 -0400

The best answer I could give is to contact a young Ranger who recently attended. Rangers are typically higher on the intellectual front and definitely more fit than the average Soldier. If you are smart, motivated and a Team Player (and you do not get hurt) then you should do great.

Response by SGT Eric Knutson made Aug 25 at 2016 1:36 AM

SGT Eric Knutson — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 01:36:16 -0400

While I am not a Ranger, I have served with many (go figure, ABN Inf) RIP, Robin Sage, Buds, all seem to me to have one key ingridiant, just never say the words "I quit" Many units have a pre Ranger course to help you prepare. but what you NEED to know, they will teach you. The class is mostly think on your feet and leadership (which to me go hand in hand) with a huge dose of gut check time. Again, I am not a Ranger, but talked with and served with so many, as well the SF, that is my read of the requierments.

Good Luck

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2016 10:43 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Dec 2016 22:43:29 -0500

Read the ranger handbook and do lots of pt.

Response by SPC Kent VanDevender made Aug 3 at 2017 1:09 PM

SPC Kent VanDevender — Thu, 03 Aug 2017 13:09:31 -0400

I've never went through the program but had friends who were in special ops units. You may check out Stew Smith on military.com under the PT section to get some ideas for physical training aspects. He has some workout plans geared for that. I would say get ready for a lot of humping with gear. Get your head right as well.