If I were to branch Armor and become a Cavalry scout, how much of a necessity is the Ranger tab?

Cadet SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 May 2018 09:41:26 -0400

Going into my junior year of ROTC as a contracted CDT so I’ve been evaluating all my potential options. Armor and infantry are at the top of my list of branches. I know the tab is crucial as an infantry officer. Thank for all feedback.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2018 10:05 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 May 2018 10:05:00 -0400

When I was in the Cav, I only remember seeing one Ranger tab in my unit and it was on a SSG. My two SCOs were Anthony Ierardi who now has 3 stars and serves as Deputy Chief of Staff G-8 and Paul Funk, who also now has 3 Stars and is Commanding General, Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve. Neither of them have it and they both started as Armor/Cavalry officers.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made May 17 at 2018 10:20 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Thu, 17 May 2018 10:20:17 -0400

Probably wouldn't hurt to have it, you may want to go into the Rangers.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made May 17 at 2018 10:24 AM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Thu, 17 May 2018 10:24:11 -0400

It isn't. That being said, schools like Ranger put a giant gold star on your resume and you should always be trying to add those kinds of new and valuable skills to your tool bag.

Response by CPT Adam P. made May 17 at 2018 10:26 AM

CPT Adam P. — Thu, 17 May 2018 10:26:32 -0400

I was a Fire Support officer (13A) in a CAV unit 4/7 Cav back when there were Division Calvary units. The guys that had Ranger Tabs were the "Golden Boys." They did not do staff time as an LT, they went straight into a PL slot. After their PL time, they would go on to be a Troop XO. So yeah there are perks to having the tab for an LT. Once they have a couple of evals under their belt, the magic will wear away if you are not as good as the Tab says you supposed to be.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made May 17 at 2018 10:37 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Thu, 17 May 2018 10:37:46 -0400

Any time you are offered Military training you take it. Thank you for your future service.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2018 10:48 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 May 2018 10:48:13 -0400

one thing at a time, don't forget to get your spurs

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made May 17 at 2018 11:04 AM

SGT Tony Clifford — Thu, 17 May 2018 11:04:21 -0400

A ranger tab isn't necessary for any mos. It's a school that can help you get promoted, but it's not really necessary. If you're offered the school, take it. Remember that there are always a limited number of slots that your unit will be given and most of the enlisted will not be happy if they get bumped from their school slot to accommodate a brand new 2LT. This actually happened to myself and 10 other NCOs and SPCs with regard to Sapper School. The battalion had a train up for anyone interested in the battalion's 20 slots for sapper school. Everyone in the battalion who participated was ranked. We were all doing the mandatory physical after the 20 were selected, then our unit got a huge crop of new LTs. They were given the slots of 11 of us and only 4 made it past the first week. Of those 4 only one graduated, but he didn't graduate with a high enough score to tab. Needless to say, everyone who was bumped was fuming over it.

Response by PVT Mark Brown made May 17 at 2018 11:22 AM

PVT Mark Brown — Thu, 17 May 2018 11:22:48 -0400

I can only encourage you to secure that coveted tab. Regardless of you immediate military/political situation a Ranger tab will only add to your credibility. I have personally witnessed Ranger tabs in many different types of organizations. I think the Ranger tab, along with the SF tab, scream competent person here. Go for it.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 17 at 2018 11:33 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Thu, 17 May 2018 11:33:31 -0400

I'm just curious...what major are you? GPA? STEM major? Grad school inclinations? I only ask as, regardless of svc or branch, trust me, from day one, you're gonna get hit with the whole part time masters gig, as well as PME...I just have an interest in such things...I might be able to suggest some stuff, look up AFIT for USAF, Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), Rhodes Scholar, you can apply for alp of those as Army, most don't think of that hat stuff...I was Army ROTC then went USAF OTS instead...also, little known tip if you wanna try for it, he CO of an ROTC unit can nominate for the adpcademy of their svc, very few know that, it's not just Congress types, my ROTC unit trained a good deal at West Point, barracks, fining hall, orienteering range, obstacle course, my next younger brother was USMMA Kings Point, I commissioned him when he finished while I'd been on active...just figured it might interest you, ifmtou hadn't heard that, I'm not saying you want it, just food for thought, honest...I'd be most eager to hear more....

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2018 11:55 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 May 2018 11:55:48 -0400

Unfortunately you won’t become a cavalry scout if you commission. That MOS is for enlisted only. However, you can become an armor officer and get the priviliage to serve as a scout platoon leader. For this position a Ranger tab would be benificial because the job that we do. Scout platoons usually break up and maneuver in sections. If Ranger school is not an option while completing A-BOLC at Ft benning, the next best school for young armor branch officers is the Army reconnaissance course. Keep in mind if you choose armor you spend your entire career on a tank or a Bradley unless you can get the qualifications from airborne, Ranger, arc, arslc, or clc. If you find yourself in a classroom that teaches maneuver tactics like the Bradley or tank commanders course you will be identified by your branch manager as preficient in the HBCT world; plan on being on one.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2018 12:35 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 May 2018 12:35:12 -0400

Mr. Sanford-Speaking as a former naval officer, I would've considered myself fortunate to have been afforded an opportunity to be "tabbed". If you're serious about a career as a commissioned officer, my humble suggestion would be to pursue and earn every single qualification available to you...I promise you that as you get more experience, you'll look back and regret each deferred chance to test yourself.

Best Regards and Good Luck

Response by CPT Philip Bailey made May 17 at 2018 1:07 PM

CPT Philip Bailey — Thu, 17 May 2018 13:07:08 -0400

Many LTs coming out of ABOLC are being sent automatically to ARC. They will discuss this with you at BOLC. There is currently a shortage of Armor Officers so you usually do not have long to wait for PL time. Focus on being the best PL you can possibly be. Once you know your unit, find out what is needed, the conform to the standard.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2018 1:37 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 May 2018 13:37:09 -0400

The Tab is a discriminater to your superiors, an indicator of your potential to your Soldiers and a personal testament to your will. Not needed for an Armor officer; but in that Highly recommended category that is unwritten in the Army Officers Guide. It is a 64 Day Squad tactics course that can get a fair to middlin officer to Major and a competent officer to BN CMD; but if you are a bottom third kind of officer it won’t matter what tab, badge, ribbon you have you will be weeded out by Major. Ultimately it eill give you opportunities that others will not receive; 2 months of hell for years of pleasure-as it will grease the skids through Major until a lot of other folks have them; then it’s a wash

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made May 17 at 2018 3:13 PM

MSG Danny Mathers — Thu, 17 May 2018 15:13:54 -0400

The Ranger Tabs represents the highest qualifer of combat leadership prior to combat. Simply put, it is a leadership course. It is not a school becasue the ranger candidate is required to know and be able to demonstate the skills of all the positions of the patrol. The leadershiip part is being a leader that can motivate tired and hungry men to hump day and night without much food and complete the mission. You will have to learn the ways they demand you do Operration Orders. You have to stay awake and learn how the cadre want things done. Leadership is also being part of a team and the ability to follow when required. The Ranger tab command respect no matter what career field. I highly recommend you consider going after your commissioning. Cadets do not have a high average of being tabbed the first go around. Make sure you have mastered the basic soldiers skills and have a strong determination to want that tab; You got to want it more than anything. You quit or get yourself hurt for a dishonorable out, it will be a career ender somewhere down the road. Go to jump school, air assault and any other course before taking that Ranger Step. For me, it was the most demanding course I ever went through. I went as a 34 year old Master Sargeant and was an Honor Graduate.

Response by MAJ James Woods made May 17 at 2018 3:47 PM

MAJ James Woods — Thu, 17 May 2018 15:47:33 -0400

Ranger tab means nothing in the Armor community. Today's Cavalry Squadron is no more than a Recon BN for a BCT. I served in a Divisional Cav Squadron and an Armored Recon Squadron, the differences in doctrine is immense as one was eyes and ears on the ground and in the air for of a Division and the other is a robust AR/Mech formation that leads the BCT.
Your tankers and scouts won't think any more or less if you have a Ranger tab, Airborne tab, or Air Assault tab on your uniform. In fact, we teased the Infantry as being too slow while they teased us about being too afraid to dismount; all good laughs.
If your top choices are between Armor and Infantry, ask yourself what you want to do more: walk everywhere or depend on helicopters, planes, and trucks for a lift or enjoy the fast paced OPTEMPO that comes with moving fast and striking hard from various mounted platforms.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 17 at 2018 4:03 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 17 May 2018 16:03:21 -0400

I chose Armor and hardly ever saw Ranger Tabs. The Ranger Tab did not give an advantage to the young officers. It is what they accomplished that separated them from others.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made May 17 at 2018 7:59 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Thu, 17 May 2018 19:59:23 -0400

A necessity- no, but it's mind broadening and certainly would be helpful

Response by CPT Andrew Wright made May 18 at 2018 12:46 PM

CPT Andrew Wright — Fri, 18 May 2018 12:46:36 -0400

If you are in good enough physical condition and someone is offering you Ranger School by all means go. Years from now you will most likely regret not going.