I'm joining the National Guard. What are my chances to get into a Pre-Ranger course?

Garrett Parker — Mon, 02 Apr 2018 10:23:16 -0400

Hi! So I turn 17 in May and was planning on joining the guard. My plan is after AIT, go to Airborne School and then I wanted to see what my chances would be to get a seat in pre ranger. I have always wanted to make it to the Rangers and I feel like I could do it if I were to put the work in. Could anyone provide me with some tips to help me achieve my goals?

Response by SPC David Willis made Apr 2 at 2018 10:27 AM

SPC David Willis — Mon, 02 Apr 2018 10:27:42 -0400

I'm not sure how many ranger units there are in NG (if any). Are you wanting to be a ranger or just go to ranger school? If you want to be a ranger I would recommend going active duty instead. If you just want the tab and the school, just be a stud and bug your unit for a school slot or get it in your re-enlistment contract.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Apr 2 at 2018 10:51 AM

SPC Erich Guenther — Mon, 02 Apr 2018 10:51:13 -0400

For National Guard to get RANGER it really usually has to be a requirement of the specific unit. Most states are not going to pay for hooah training otherwise. NG only gets Air Assault now because they have a special school for AAS for Reserve and NG not because States are feeling more generous with spending. Only NG units I ever saw that required RANGER for NCO not E1-E4 were TXARNG Psyops NG units. I think I saw one or two Civil Affairs units out of TX that required it as well. Very rare it is required due to the expense and back then the NG units preferred to recruit someone from Active Duty that had the training already vs paying to send someone through the school.

Response by CSM Thomas McGarry made Apr 2 at 2018 10:51 AM

CSM Thomas McGarry — Mon, 02 Apr 2018 10:51:45 -0400

Yes you need to be in a slot that requires you to have Ranger qualifications. Many years ago when I was in the NY Army National Guard there were such requirements for certain positions but I believe they were Officer slots.

Response by SGT Eric Davis made Apr 2 at 2018 11:01 AM

SGT Eric Davis — Mon, 02 Apr 2018 11:01:23 -0400

Just sing up for AD in May and when you graduate you can get what you want. Also it will be hard to go from reserve or Guard to AD so just do AD.

Response by Garrett Parker made Apr 2 at 2018 11:08 AM

Garrett Parker — Mon, 02 Apr 2018 11:08:31 -0400

Well thanks guys for the information you guys are awesome! I think for now I am just going to go NG because ill still be able to pursue some of the other things in life like the business. Also you have to remember I am only 17 and that I am still a teenager with a social life I dont wanna leave behind this early. I did hear that there are ways to get into SF through the NG as well so I may look into that as well. Thanks guys!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2018 11:50 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Apr 2018 11:50:20 -0400

It really depends in what state you plan on joining. I was the Senior Platoon Trainer at the National Guard's Pre-Ranger Course at Fort Benning. The issue is getting a slot. The Guard is now sending soldiers from Basic training to Pre-Ranger but they don't fare very well. They just don't have the base knowledge to function at a high level. And unless you are going to an airborne unit in the National Guard you won't get airborne school. Schools in the Guard are based on a need in the unit. If the unit doesn't need that skill then they won't have a slot to send anyone. I used to be in a mechanized infantry unit. No one could have got an Airborne Slot. But if you want to be an airborne and ranger then you should try to go to the Regular Army.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2018 5:42 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Apr 2018 17:42:55 -0400

There are no Ranger units in the NG and almost no Airborne units in the NG either. As a National Guardsman you will be authorized whatever school your unit sends you to. You won't be able to volunteer for Airborne school after AIT in the same manner as your active duty companions in basic with you.
If you want to join Ranger Regiment, you go to RASP, not Ranger school. You'll also need to be on active duty.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 3 at 2018 7:18 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 07:18:57 -0400

Garrett,
Are you assigned to a unit in GA yet?

Your first step would be to talk to your leadership at the unit and make sure they understand your goals. You will also have to hit the ground running and work you butt off to show that you are worth the money that they are going to invest in you for all that training. You will also need to ensure you are in the physical condition to handle Ranger school. It is a physically and mentally challenging course but you can look online for workout programs to get ready.

After that get in to see the unit's Training NCO and work on trying to get something scheduled but remember that schools are limited by money and number of slots your state has so do not get discourage if it does not happen right away.

I got GA to send me to Sapper school and two other people in my Battlaion went to Ranger schoool so it can happen.

MAJ Peterson

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Apr 3 at 2018 9:55 AM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 09:55:32 -0400

Slim to none, and Slim just got on the bus out of town.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2018 8:06 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 20:06:17 -0400

As enlisted in the guard it can be very hard to go ranger from what I’ve been told by everyone. But I was told in that here in Washington the NG will send officers with combat MOS to the school. If I was to start all this younger I would do the ROTC route as someone suggested about and go for ranger that way.