Posted on Apr 2, 2018
I'm joining the National Guard. What are my chances to get into a Pre-Ranger course?
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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?
Ranger
11B1V: Airborne Ranger
Ranger School
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 10
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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.
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SSG (Join to see)
I have to agree with LT, not sure about the Guard but in the Reserves schools are based on the need of the unit and there are very, very few slots for airborne and ranger school in the reserves. I would say only the best of the best get those slots because of funding. They hate to send a PVT only to have them wash out and lose that slot. So usually only more senior proven soldiers get those slots.
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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.
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SPC David Willis
Garrett Parker - To be honest if your plan is RIP it may be to your benefit to go to basic/AIT/OSUT then directly to Airborne and directly to RIP rather than doing basic over the summer and everything else a year later.
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SPC Erich Guenther
Been a long time since I looked but once upon a time where were some Civil Affairs or maybe Psyops NG units that required RANGER for NCO's Not sure if that is still the case. Again it is rare for NG unit to require RANGER for anything. Agree that a better chance is Active Duty and even via Active Duty it is tough to get RANGER unless you have it in your enlistment contract.
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SGT Eric Davis
Go active duty. When you turn 17 you can get your parents to sign and let your enlist AD so when ou gradutate high school you habe a career; you can go to BASIC/AIT/ airborne and more when ou finishhigh school. You can sign up for AD up to 14 more before shot date so I’m may just go active!
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CPT (Join to see)
I agree with everyone above but your first priority (IMHO) in your contract needs to be Basic Airborne and your functional area needs to be in the 11 series (preferably 11B). I don't know if you can get a guaranteed assignment to the 82nd ABN. Ranger anything is exceptionally difficult. It requires the strength of an adult male (21 y/o+), professional judgement, seasoning, and maturity far beyond what most people would expect. It is much harder today than it was in 1985 when I was at HAAF with the 1st Batt. I was a medical type then and despite my very high level of fitness (I was an Olympic alternate for the 1980 Moscow games before we refused to attend), I could not keep up, It was just too physically demanding. Long posting short, get into the 82nd ABN (or failing that the 173rd ABN BDE) and then go for Ranger with your re-enlistment contract. If you can make it in the 82nd (or to a lesser extent the 173rd in Italy) as your first assignment, you will be ready for the Ranger Regt when you are 21-22 y/o.
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