Posted on Dec 31, 2014
Ranger School, did it hurt or help your career?
32K
34
22
6
6
0
Ranger school is the epitome of Infantry leadership school. Many have tried, and with a 50% attrition rate, many have failed. Which group do you fall in? State your class number, if passed or failed, and if you'd do it again...and if you want to share, why you failed and what you learned from it. I suspect there are many on RP that have been to RANGER. I know we hate to talk about our failure, bit if a subjective lesson was learned (ie. I wasn't cut out for the infantry), than it was not a failure but instead a morale builder.
How many have tried and failed? Did failing hurt or help your career?
For those that made it, has it hurt or helped your career?
Is it rumor, to make MAJ as an infantry officer, you must have your tab?
How many have tried and failed? Did failing hurt or help your career?
For those that made it, has it hurt or helped your career?
Is it rumor, to make MAJ as an infantry officer, you must have your tab?
Posted in these groups: 
Ranger
Ranger
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 9
6
6
0
Ranger Class 3-95, a winter class. First time GO, had I failed, I would have never gone back.
I had the rare opportunity to go as a Marine Cpl. I was 24 years old.
I made a lot of good Army friends and the experience changed my perception of the ARMY. Happy to have made it, I feel sorry for those that died during my class, and those that lost fingers and toes. Very ardous. Not for the faint of heart.
I had the rare opportunity to go as a Marine Cpl. I was 24 years old.
I made a lot of good Army friends and the experience changed my perception of the ARMY. Happy to have made it, I feel sorry for those that died during my class, and those that lost fingers and toes. Very ardous. Not for the faint of heart.
(6)
(0)
SSG(P) (Join to see)
CW5 (Join to see) To answer your question, NO. Has it happened before, YES. However this is the greatest loss in one class, in one cycle from the Rgr Training Bn history...per many articles.
http://www.nytimes.com/1995/03/03/us/a-night-of-confusion-and-fear-in-which-4-army-ranger-candidates-died.html
http://www.nytimes.com/1995/03/03/us/a-night-of-confusion-and-fear-in-which-4-army-ranger-candidates-died.html
A Night of Confusion and Fear in Which 4 Army Ranger Candidates Died
Second Lieut. Spencer D. Dodge, president of the West Point class of 1994, was chest-deep in a muddy backwater of the Yellow River in the Florida Panhandle last month, lost in a fog, freezing to death. He and 101 fellow students in the Army's Ranger training class 3-95 were in the last days of their nine-week course. They had starved in the desert and frozen in the mountains. Most of the men had lost 30 or 40 pounds. They were exhausted.
(1)
(0)
CW5 (Join to see)
I see that it was. Class 3-95. Wow, you were in that class. That was a sad, tragic day.
(0)
(0)
5
5
0
BLUF: For the rumor portion, I do not have my tab and recently pinned LTC and am still Infantry. I went once and failed - 01-99 immediately after IOBC (now IBOLC). I do think going should be a personal decision, not just to make others happy. There's a great benefit in understanding your limits and pushing through. The earlier you do that in your career enables you to make better decisions about what is right for you and the Army.
Unfortunately, that is not how it is advertised or pushed. It is a tool for promotion as you mention. There are many ways to test yourself. Ranger School is the Infantry's "approved" version. However, anything that one does to "improve" themselves and has a certificate, badge, tab etc to prove it can only add to their profile. If it is something that can be knocked out, then do so. Even if it's just to remove the potential for someone else's (i.e. selection board) doubt about your own capabilities, then it would be worth it. That is the pain in the ass part and where it becomes less of an "option" to better yourself.
I would have gone back, but an injury and deployments ( then lack of motivation after a certain point) didn't allow that to work. It has been a distraction at each assignment as I have had to prove myself over and over again simply because I don't have it...or maybe because I'm short, skinny, and wore glasses, lol!
Did it help or hurt? I can only say that I feel like I would have had more influence or positions of influence over the years if I had it. I make do with what I am given and will only do my best to make it better. It is always a selection criteria whether it is stated or not. Some assignments specifically, others not so much. My promotion appears to be based on the trend of what I have accomplished and potential to handle more. Cool assignments and commands on the other hand...there have been some doors not opened over the years. Nobody knows what the future brings with the current draw down, but I know at least two incredible Officers with their tab that were not selected for promotion to LTC. Numbers will matter more and those things you do to separate yourself (in a better way!) from the pack will have an impact.
Unfortunately, that is not how it is advertised or pushed. It is a tool for promotion as you mention. There are many ways to test yourself. Ranger School is the Infantry's "approved" version. However, anything that one does to "improve" themselves and has a certificate, badge, tab etc to prove it can only add to their profile. If it is something that can be knocked out, then do so. Even if it's just to remove the potential for someone else's (i.e. selection board) doubt about your own capabilities, then it would be worth it. That is the pain in the ass part and where it becomes less of an "option" to better yourself.
I would have gone back, but an injury and deployments ( then lack of motivation after a certain point) didn't allow that to work. It has been a distraction at each assignment as I have had to prove myself over and over again simply because I don't have it...or maybe because I'm short, skinny, and wore glasses, lol!
Did it help or hurt? I can only say that I feel like I would have had more influence or positions of influence over the years if I had it. I make do with what I am given and will only do my best to make it better. It is always a selection criteria whether it is stated or not. Some assignments specifically, others not so much. My promotion appears to be based on the trend of what I have accomplished and potential to handle more. Cool assignments and commands on the other hand...there have been some doors not opened over the years. Nobody knows what the future brings with the current draw down, but I know at least two incredible Officers with their tab that were not selected for promotion to LTC. Numbers will matter more and those things you do to separate yourself (in a better way!) from the pack will have an impact.
(5)
(0)
I failed my first attempt and it did hurt my career. I was in a Long Range Surveillance Company were all of the NCO slots were "v" coded. I was still able to pick up SGT while I was deployed but it meant I had to go back to Ranger School or find another unit. I ETSed due to lacking the time required to go back to Ranger. If I had made it I would have reenlisted and would have had the ability to get more schools like HALO.
I did go back as an officer and made it in Class 05-14. I can say it does help. It shows you know what you are doing and adds to your credibility. I can say that I haven't seen many field grades without tabs. Not saying that it can't happen But I don't know of any BCT commanders that are infantry and don't have a tab.
I did go back as an officer and made it in Class 05-14. I can say it does help. It shows you know what you are doing and adds to your credibility. I can say that I haven't seen many field grades without tabs. Not saying that it can't happen But I don't know of any BCT commanders that are infantry and don't have a tab.
(4)
(0)
2
2
0
I graduated fairly recently... class 11-13. With the addition of 2 weeks of Pre-Ranger prior, I had some tough mental moments as time dragged on. I don't know how guys have the fortitude to keep recycling (including Day 1 recycles) and finally graduate after something like 7 months. I'm not a quitter so that was never really an option for me but I did occasionally hope I would snap an ankle haha. I can tell you 100% that if I had failed I would never have gone back. I say that now but as I put some distance from that 75 day nightmare I start to see it more through rose-colored glasses and forget the feeling of being so tired that you fall asleep standing or walking... so who knows.
All-in-all, I don't feel like I gained much knowledge from the course, certainly nothing I couldn't learn from studying the Ranger handbook. What I did gain was a sense of how far I could push myself mentally and physically... that can't be learned in any book. While I don't feel like having a tab has necessarily helped my career directly, it has certainly gained me some notice and notoriety from the right people (especially in a state NG that probably has less than 10 tabbed NCOs out of 13,000 soldiers).
All-in-all, I don't feel like I gained much knowledge from the course, certainly nothing I couldn't learn from studying the Ranger handbook. What I did gain was a sense of how far I could push myself mentally and physically... that can't be learned in any book. While I don't feel like having a tab has necessarily helped my career directly, it has certainly gained me some notice and notoriety from the right people (especially in a state NG that probably has less than 10 tabbed NCOs out of 13,000 soldiers).
(2)
(0)
CPT (Join to see)
I was in a Guard Long Range Surveillance company that was lucky enough to get funding for 2-4 slots a year. Normally those would go to officers first, but I was performing well and they thought I had a good shot of making it through and helping the unit stats out. It also doesn't hurt that I was good friends with the training NCO at the time.
(0)
(0)
SFC (Join to see)
SSG LoGiudice,
Many NG attend Ranger School, allot depends on the state as well. In LRS its pretty much a mandatory deal to be a SSG, there are exceptions based on experiance of course. But if you are Infantry you can get a shot if your state supports it.
Also the ANG Warrior Training Center grew out of the NG Pre-Ranger program at Ft Benning. Which was one of the more successfull Pre-Ranger programs in the Army. I worked a cycle in like 99 as an Instructor. Most the class was from various Inf/LRS/SF units in the ANG.
Allot has changed, in 1999 a class was about 30 students. I understand they are considerbly larger these days and include a variety of students, not just NG.
Bottom line, if your state will send you...a National Guard Soldier will get the oppourtunity to attend PRC and a shot at RS if they pass PRC.
Many NG attend Ranger School, allot depends on the state as well. In LRS its pretty much a mandatory deal to be a SSG, there are exceptions based on experiance of course. But if you are Infantry you can get a shot if your state supports it.
Also the ANG Warrior Training Center grew out of the NG Pre-Ranger program at Ft Benning. Which was one of the more successfull Pre-Ranger programs in the Army. I worked a cycle in like 99 as an Instructor. Most the class was from various Inf/LRS/SF units in the ANG.
Allot has changed, in 1999 a class was about 30 students. I understand they are considerbly larger these days and include a variety of students, not just NG.
Bottom line, if your state will send you...a National Guard Soldier will get the oppourtunity to attend PRC and a shot at RS if they pass PRC.
(0)
(0)
CPT (Join to see)
SFC Ross,
I believe my class started at something like 120 and had approximately a 60% attrition rate. I would say it was evenly split between NG and AD. 95% of the NG soldiers were either LRS, SF, or infantry officers. Overall, it is a great program. They stated the soldiers that pass PRC have an 87% success rate for passing Benning Phase at Ranger school.
I believe my class started at something like 120 and had approximately a 60% attrition rate. I would say it was evenly split between NG and AD. 95% of the NG soldiers were either LRS, SF, or infantry officers. Overall, it is a great program. They stated the soldiers that pass PRC have an 87% success rate for passing Benning Phase at Ranger school.
(1)
(0)
SFC (Join to see)
Plenty of Guard guys go both Officer and Enlisted. Just like any other unit or most of them I'm sure they just don't send anybody. I know Vermont's Infantry units get slots and so did Florida's when I was down there.
Also, the National Guard runs the Warrior Training Center, located on Fort Benning, conducts an RTAC - Ranger Training Assessment Course.
http://www.benning.army.mil/tenant/wtc/pr.htm
as well as a host of other high speed courses
http://www.benning.army.mil/tenant/wtc/
Also, the National Guard runs the Warrior Training Center, located on Fort Benning, conducts an RTAC - Ranger Training Assessment Course.
http://www.benning.army.mil/tenant/wtc/pr.htm
as well as a host of other high speed courses
http://www.benning.army.mil/tenant/wtc/
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
Class 5-86. First time Go. Attended as an Intel officer from the 25th ID. Got my opportunity when the Infantry officer’s were either already tabbed or refused to go. My battalion commander was very supportive and sent me despite that I was not an infantry officer. I was an honor graduate and won the Merrills marauder award. I’m very proud to continue to wear the tab as a medical officer in the National Guard. I don’t think I would ever go again knowing what I know, but I am very proud to have attended once.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
I was a first time Go at Ranger School. Here is my Youtube Series recounting my experiences. RLTW! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLP3vQUHboK3KiILSrMSUry-KCwU_Yg5Wz
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
I was a first time Go at Ranger School. Here is my Youtube Series recounting my experiences. RLTW! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLP3vQUHboK3KiILSrMSUry-KCwU_Yg5Wz
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
Ranger Class 06-06. It helped me plenty to become a better leader but it's not a requirement to make major. My board met while in Ranger School, and I still got selected.
(1)
(0)
SSG(P) (Join to see)
I was going off a 3rd timer, Captain Milton Palmer, he told me he was waiting in the wind for MAJ on this last chance at graduating...he never made it period. He died in FL, less than 10 days before graduating....horrible story. But a good read it you haven't. It could happen in any command. As a leader, there are lots to gleam from the training accident...like when to abort training... congrats on your graduation. Read link I posted to CW5 (Join to see) thanks for the rumor control @LTC Christopher Lane
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Class 6-81 FA Officer. AS a FIST Chief in an Infantry unit...it helped. Fo the rest of my 30 plus year career in RA //USAR // NG it was an ice breaker in a lot of situations.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google