Is it impossible for prior service to join a Ranger Regiment?

2019-02-07T09:32:51-05:00

i've been looking to change my MOS to 11b and pursuing a full on career with active duty from national guard (no i dont want to be a grunt my entire career) i met some rangers overseas and now im very determined to become one myself after going active, is it harder for me to go to RASP knowing im coming from National Guard ?

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Feb 7 at 2019 10:33 AM

2019-02-07T10:33:02-05:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member I defer to SFC Private RallyPoint Member , but if you can meet the standards, why would a prior service soldier not be able to? When you think about it, everyone going to Regiment is prior service. A 42 year old Master Sergeant just graduated from Ranger School...granted he was a long tabber , but 42 years old just the same.

https://www.goarmy.com/ranger/join-the-rangers/requirements-to-join.html

How to Become an Army Ranger

Find out how to become an Army Ranger and join an elite group of America’s finest. Learn about the Army Ranger requirements and how you can apply.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Feb 7 at 2019 10:43 AM

2019-02-07T10:43:08-05:00

As long as that prior service troop can pass selection and training? Yes. Rangers do not disqualify based on service, they disqualify based on lacking. Do you lack the drive, the will, the stamina, the physical and mental readiness and willingness? If so then you probably will not make it to Ranger school. Being prior service is quite possibly a good thing. That you have been National Guard is irrelevant. I was a reservist before I went through RASP.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Feb 7 at 2019 10:49 AM

2019-02-07T10:49:59-05:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member might be a good person to ask.

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Feb 7 at 2019 11:44 AM

2019-02-07T11:44:05-05:00

Talk to a Ranger recruiter. E-mail addresses are in page on GOARMY website

https://www.goarmy.com/ranger/join-the-rangers/requirements-to-join.html

How to Become an Army Ranger

Find out how to become an Army Ranger and join an elite group of America’s finest. Learn about the Army Ranger requirements and how you can apply.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2019 11:58 AM

2019-02-07T11:58:12-05:00

No one cares what branch you come from, or what service component. While I was in Ranger regiment we had plenty of prior service and former Marines.
If you are not eligible to receive an option 40 contract when you switch services, you can ask for Airborne School and volunteer there. If you can't go to Airborne School, once you get to your first Duty station you can volunteer then

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2019 12:27 PM

2019-02-07T12:27:29-05:00

Prior Service can’t get OPT 40 in contract. That is reserved for Non Prior Service.

Response by CSM Michael Chavaree made Feb 7 at 2019 1:29 PM

2019-02-07T13:29:10-05:00

I was in the MEANG as a Heavy Wheeled Vehicle mechanic, then got a conditional release and became a medic in the Ranger Regiment. As stated, my prior service was not an issue and didnt make much of an impact as it didnt really apply. Good luck

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2019 8:04 PM

2019-02-08T20:04:45-05:00

It's extremely rare to see anybody go straight to regiment from the National Guard. They only recruit from the regular army. You would have to go to unit and then apply to go to RASP. If you want to help your chances I would go to ranger school first.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2019 11:16 AM

2019-02-11T11:16:03-05:00

Getting to rasp will be a piece of cake as long as your pt and asvab scores are high enough. Contact a ranger recruiter. The regiment is constantly understrength and they just added a new battalion. What will be difficult is proving yourself to others in your unit. Regiment is notorious for hating transplants. They like to get soldiers right out of basic and molding them into the soldier they want. You just need to be open minded, willing to learn, and downplay your prior service as much as possible. If you try to pull time in service over anyone, it won't go over well. It'll also be easier for you to integrate because you are a specialist, which is a private in regiment. Good luck.

Response by MSG James Devereaux made Feb 13 at 2019 4:02 PM

2019-02-13T16:02:08-05:00

No one will care or even know from where you came. The only issue I have is where you stated “not wanting to be a grunt my whole career”. Two things, these men are professionals and live this their entire lives. It’s not a job and it sure as hell isnt temporary, it is a lifestyle and mindset that we carry to the grave. I don’t think you understand and you should definitely devote serious time to determine if this is what you want. If you’re not committed to a lifelong change then don’t do it. They will weed those guys out and you’ll find yourself with a failure under your belt on a worldwide assignment. But the other stuff; nobody gives a damn who you “were or where you came from”, it’s all irrelevant. No... thinking about it, you shouldn’t go. Stay in the guard.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2019 10:40 PM

2019-03-18T22:40:45-04:00

TLDR; I’m trying to do the same thing, from what I’ve learned is you can get Option 40 but only if you aren’t MOS qualified for the slot you want. That’s assuming they have them available, your best bet might be to try when the fiscal year restarts but honestly it seems like luck of the draw.

I’m in the same boat (sort of) I’m prior service (11B) trying to find a way into regiment myself. Honestly I haven’t found any sort of answer that makes any sense, I called 75th recruiting and they said Op40 is available to prior service and so does AR 601-210 Regular Army and Reserve Component Enlistment Program. According to the Prior Service Business Rules anyone with 48 months or less of Active Federal Service should be exempt from the rules and be authorized Training of Choice. The issue you’ll run into is at MEPS, the counselor (in my case) said the opposite of what Ranger Recruiting said. “NO OP40 Prior Service”. The counselor for some reason seemed to think Option 40 sent you to Ranger School? He basically told me “Why the fuck do you wanna be a Ranger? Anyone can go to that school.” Which worries me, because he’s not even sure of what the Option actually is that he is denying you. If you don’t run into issues like that you should be okay IF they have the slots. The counselor did offer me 13F Op40 before deciding I couldn’t have it because I was colorblind...(I’m not, I had literally just finished the airborne phys and Doc signed off on it).