Posted on Feb 7, 2018
Is there a benefit to not doing schools such as Ranger, Airborne, Air Assault?
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E. G. Not being assigned to only combat units forever
Ranger
Ranger School
Airborne Trainee
Air Assault School
Posted 8 y ago
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SFC Michael Hasbun - That's true, but I know a lot of people that never were energetic, athletic, never ran PT, and never humped a ruck. Today many of them are worse off than me and significantly my junior. There really is no single right answer. Every "body" is different.
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SFC Michael Hasbun - Please realize, that everyone isn't always running after shiny objects. Some do. However in the detachments those schools are necessary for us to be able to complete our missions. Before I ever began a left hand list I transitioned into sterile battle dress or outdoor civilian attire. No one ever knew what we had done, when, or where. On those rare occasions we were in garrison most of us wore the appropriate uniform with rank and name. I usually wore plain basic jump wings because I really liked them. We knew each other and our brass knew us. Why call attention to ourselves?
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SSG Wayne Wood
There isn't a day that passes I am not in pain from getting banged up in a nearly fatal parachute FUBAR; by the same token there isn't a day goes by I don't miss being a paratrooper and if I had it to do over again I would. No shame in not going to all those special schools and getting bright shiny badges - I used to tell my high school students to avoid them unless they really counted the cost. We each walk our own path and reap the rewards or pay the consequences. At the same time, each member of the Armed Forces is part of a team and is essential to getting the job done. My younger troopers used to talk trash about "Legs" all the time. I would tell them that if we ever got called on to do a World War 2 style combat jump behind enemy lines those "legs" would look pretty good coming down the road toward us.
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1SG Michael Lee
Well said Dan.
Refusing to be "Average" by putting in the effort to excel says a lot about a soldier's character.
Refusing to be "Average" by putting in the effort to excel says a lot about a soldier's character.
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Depends on your career path, but I can’t see a reason in not doing something along those lines if you know that you’re capable of being successful. The Army places a lot of emphasis on military schooling in general, as centralized (and even semi-centralized) promotion boards look favorably on Soldiers that knock them out. And having schools, such as Ranger School, completed can even open up assignments that others may never hear of otherwise (like instructor duty in San Diego).
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1SG Michael Lee
I agree.
Successful completion of professional education does open up greater opportunities.
Successful completion of professional education does open up greater opportunities.
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Think you are missing the point- These schools are designed to push you past your limits, physically, mentally. They are fantastic small group leadership schools. Are you suggesting then, that you will never be in a leadership position if you transit out of combat units, nor in civilian life? Can Do- is a mindset, so is accomplishing your mission, regardless what you are doing. These school teach, enforce and re-develop those type mindsets.
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There is no benefit to not doing something that helps build knowledge and makes you a better rounded Soldier.
Having the skill identifier doesn't mean that you will always be slotted against that position on the MTOE. At least in Engineer units there are usually fewer coded slots then there are Troops that have the identifiers.
SSG Livingston about summed it up nicely the only benefit is the reduction in the amount of Motrin you will need later in life.
Having the skill identifier doesn't mean that you will always be slotted against that position on the MTOE. At least in Engineer units there are usually fewer coded slots then there are Troops that have the identifiers.
SSG Livingston about summed it up nicely the only benefit is the reduction in the amount of Motrin you will need later in life.
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I don’t see how their could be a benefit to “not” doing these schools... except maybe Ranger... Their are many benefits from not doing Ranger School (keep the feeling in your toes, healthier knees/back, manage healthy weight, etc).
But seriously, you should do all three!
But seriously, you should do all three!
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Many folks that attend those schools are not assigned to combat units. Going to those schools will always help you in any MOS. Having those schools on your resume puts you ahead of those who don't have the schools. Completing those schools shows a strong degree of commitment and the ability to accomplish a difficult task.
However, not having those schools doesn't mean that you cant have a successful military career either. If you don't have the desire to attend them, don't let someone else pressure you into going. That is a recipe for failure. The schools are hard enough for those who want to be there. For those that don't, they are impossible to pass.
However, not having those schools doesn't mean that you cant have a successful military career either. If you don't have the desire to attend them, don't let someone else pressure you into going. That is a recipe for failure. The schools are hard enough for those who want to be there. For those that don't, they are impossible to pass.
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You are less likely to be injured. Did you REALLY sign up for the Army just to be safe like a civilian? Don't you want to be (pardon the quote from "STRIPES") A LEAN MEAN FIGHTING MACHINE? Of course you do! Don't fear Airborne Basic; the towers are far worse than the 5 jumps ... TRUST ME. I will post more later
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Sgt Wayne Wood
The towers are MUCH WORSE... but then again, they don’t have branches or rocks, etc in the landing areas. :-)
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While sitting here having a "snort" of single malt and reading all the funny things you folks write, my mind is drawn back to one of those conversations with my ol' dad as he waxed prophetic about the truths of Army life ..... "You know son (he said) as a paratrooper you must realize that it isn't the fall that'll kill you, it's the sudden stop." Now thats a oldie and a goody, & certainly not original. However, it's the most my father ever said about his service until about 6 months before he died. He was a man whose service made me look like a real sissy. OSS in WWII, CIC, 10th SFG (before the official green beret), Special Forces Det. A, Berlin Brigade (during the Berlin Wall Crisis), and God only knows what else with the CIA.
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CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025
CPT (Join to see) I regret not having collected more family history - and that box of photos my mother offered before she passed. I was not greedy nor a taker and told her that she might still enjoy them. The photos vanished after her death.
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By not going you will have the benefit of being satisfied with average performance and won't have that gnawing feeling you get that tells you that you can do better and pushes you to work harder to achieve excellence.
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Is there a benefit? Sure, there is. Your body doesn't hurt as much. Your OPTEMPO is a on a slower side. Even though people say you "need" to do these schools or that you "should" do these schools, you really don't.
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MSG Dan Castaneda
MSG (Join to see) - You have to lead by example SSG. Be, know, Do what they should emulate. Its what we do as leaders.
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CPT (Join to see)
MSG (Join to see) - Not being a badge hunter is a good thing. I will be more careful of my wording in the future. That was a compliment irrespective as to how it sounded.
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MSG (Join to see)
CPT (Join to see) - Sir, I certainly give my apologies for misunderstanding your words. Initially, that is how it came across. Again, my apologies.
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