Rangers: How many of you went to Ranger School? Who tried to go but didn't? Who is Ranger Qualified? How many are Airborne Rangers?

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 18:13:36 -0500

I know people think Rangers and those who are Ranger Qualified discriminate but the really good ones don't. I am just curious what the participation level is on this forum.

How many went to Ranger School? (Getting a slot is an achievement; going is commitment and respect even those who never were awarded the tab)
Who tried to go but didn't? (Preparing is also a commitment)
Who recycled, how many times and why?
Who is Ranger Qualified?
How many are Airborne Rangers?
I met alot of people I thought worthy, alot who tried but never got their and many who failed but were outstanding.
If you are bitter toward Ranger Qualified, Why?
If you prefer Ranger Qualified, Why?
Did you know anyone you thought missed the oppritunity or was screwed?

http://www.ranger.org/page-581102

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Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2015 6:40 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 18:40:14 -0500

I trained for over a year to attend Ranger School. I worked hard to make sure I had the second highest Field Artillery Officer Basic Course pre-ranger APFT score (the highest score was too fast to catch). I went to Ranger School and was as prepared for Patrols as I should have been; I was peered out of my squad in phase one because I was the weakest link conceptually (most people are this honest) and I had a majority of "bat" boys in my squad (I get it they are often the lowest ranking and band together, can't say I blame them). I was allowed to continue to mountian phase and I failed my patrols (still conceptually weak). I fought to stay and was told to pay very close attention during retraining while awaiting the next cycle to arrive. I memorized as much as I could and was very successful in the second attempt in mountain phase. I continued to swamp phase was sucessful there but I saw part of my squad fail a Scout SPC from the 82nd Airborne and he recycled. I never saw or heard from him but he should have passed because he was the samrtest of the enlisted and wrked the hardest.

After graduation I potentioned branch to send me to Airborne School. I had a black hat call me out and disrespect me as a Ranger and I chewed his ass; I got kicked out. I was alllowed back in when the CSM of the school as me if was "stupid or indisciplined" and I answered stupid. I guess the black hat had a friend because prior to the graduation ceremony, one the black hats kept trying to get under my skin.

During my term of service I met many who prefered, Rangers and others who seemed to have been wronged by a Ranger and therefore had a hater mentality toward the tab. I was often informed of this. I have never been a fan of those who choose to complain about not having one. I have meant many denied the oppritunity or that failed out, I thought worthy but that is the breaks.

I learned a lot from Ranger School but some graduations told me they learned nothing.
I do not think it is an all inclusive or exclusive situation. People are as good or bad as they want to be and overall success is of their own design.

Response by CSM Richard Montcalm made Jan 18 at 2015 10:28 AM

CSM Richard Montcalm — Sun, 18 Jan 2015 10:28:58 -0500

Assigned 1/75 in NOV 77 went to RGR School APR 79- straight through
Served in 1/75 from NOV 77 to JUN 80, NOV 83- JAN 85, REGT RIP Instructor 85-88, RI AUG 88 - NOV 91

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2015 5:00 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Jan 2015 17:00:51 -0500

Class 07-04, straight through. Went to Airborne School right before.

If you want something bad enough, and you are given the opportunity, you'll make it.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2015 6:09 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 18:09:19 -0500

One of the worst days of my life was standing in front of the CO in a Darby hut and hear "341, you did not pass this phase. You're going to be a Darby Insert starting in 2 days."

One of the best days of my life was when the RI told me "484, you are a go for for Florida phase."

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2015 6:52 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 18:52:40 -0500

I am Airborne and Ranger. I was recycled in the Mountains. I think I cried. I finished on friday and started mountains again on saturday. It was rough. I got a slot while in the National Guard. I just about had to kill someone for it. I can say that I am a better officer for it. I was prior service and learned a lot.

I do prefer Ranger qualified soldiers. I was in a unit in the past where all NCOs were Ranger qualified. I have yet to see any other unit were the overall quality of soldiers were on par. When you tell a Ranger he has to go the extra mile he will go. He knows he can. He knows it could be worse. He could be in benning again.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Mar 6 at 2015 9:05 AM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 09:05:52 -0500

Ranger School/Airborne School graduate 1972
Ranger Instructor, 3rd Ranger Company, Ranger Training Brigade, Ft Benning, GA

I disagree with SFC John Gates that you have to have been assigned to the Ranger Regiment to be a Ranger. People awarded the Ranger Tab upon completion of Ranger School are Rangers.

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Mar 6 at 2015 9:17 AM

SGT Bryon Sergent — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 09:17:28 -0500

I thought as a younger soldier it would be cool. With that being said our Battalion done sort of a pre, pre RIP. all the Rangers in the BN held a one week volunteer coarse to see if you could go forward. I went didn't like it so dropped out. Wasn't for me. To those who have and passed Congratulations, and I salute you.

Response by 1SG David Lopez made Mar 11 at 2015 2:16 AM

1SG David Lopez — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 02:16:59 -0400

It took me five years to be given the opportunity to go to RS. During those five years I honed my skills serving in various positions as an 11B Infantryman up to Squad Leader when I finally got the chance. It is pretty much straight forward Infantry Stuff as far as I knew. Just moved farther, stayed awake longer, starved longer, colder (I went in the winter) and oh yeah you had to lead tired hungry cold Studs who could barely stay awake. I caught pnemonia but managed to hide it from the RI's for a couple of weeks. Finally in the last phase 10 days before graduation they tried to pull me out of training to recover from the pnemonia, I talked the doctor out of it. I managed to make it straight through. My Ranger Buddy and I made it. It helped me realize that I could push myself farther than what I thought. I volunteered to go to Regiment, but instead they sent me to be an RI in the Desert Phase, Fort Bliss, TX. Later when I volunteered to be a Drill Sergeant, the Ranger Branch guy said I was going be an RI again, in the Mountains. I was fortunate in my military career, working in Infantry Scout/Sniper Platoons, RTBn, and ROTC (Ranger coded slots). I keep in touch with my Pre-Ranger Ranger Buddy and my RS Ranger Buddy. I ride motorcycles with Rangers, The U.S. Army Ranger Association has a group of motorcycle riders called The Son's of Mosby Motorcycle Association (SOMMA). I also keep in touch with other Retired and/or Veterans through the U.S. Mountain Ranger Association (Mountain Phase RI's). I try to set the best example to ALL Soldiers and to live up to the Ranger Creed, even today in my new career. I'm happy I did it all, it sucked alot of times, but it made me a better soldier/leader/supervisor and man. RLTW!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2015 3:35 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 03:35:54 -0400

It took me almost 5 years to make it happen but I went last year. I made it through RTAC but ultimately fell short on the ruck march during RAP week. I started having issues with the heat around mile 7 and couldn't make the time back up. One more day and I would've just recycled. It's one of the few regrets I have in my career. I'm pushing to go back in the fall this time but funding is extremely tight right now. I can't even send my Soldiers to PME and Annual Training this year.

Response by PV2 Abbott Shaull made May 10 at 2015 8:33 PM

PV2 Abbott Shaull — Sun, 10 May 2015 20:33:09 -0400

Wasn't in long enough if I had not broken my right leg. probably would of gone since it was one of those schools that looked good in the record.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 28 at 2016 12:15 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Mar 2016 12:15:20 -0400

I never went - my first time I had the "opportunity" was OBC/BOLC...in which there were 4 slots for my class - I opted to volunteer for EOD school instead. The next time I had the opportunity to go was after I graduatedthe CAQC and my Co. Commander offered to send me, but honestly, at 37 years old and at that point, 17+ years in the military - I feel as if I have nothing else to prove to myself or anyone & and I didn't want to subject my body to the grind of Ranger school at this stage of my life. I would have loved to have gone after BOLC while I was still in my 20s, but with limited slots that were spoken for - I opted for another path. Not that age is an excuse not to go...a SF buddy of my went at 39...being SF for at least a decade at that point and not having his triple canopy looked odd - so he went at 39 and passed.

I have no resentment towards those with Ranger tabs - they completed a grueling leadership course and that's to be commended. The only issue I have is those who tab check and think others without the tab can't perform to their level...much less outperform them. Some of my best friends in the Army are Ranger tabbed and one of my best friends is a former 75th guy without the tab...but he has the scroll from his deployments with them.

I sent my team medic to the course before i was offered to go - he recycled twice before failing on his 3rd attempt. I wasn't there, but knowing him personally and professionally - it sounded like he was in a crappy squad and it cost him during leadership roles. He's now in OCS and hopefully will have the opportunity to go again after BOLC.

Response by MSG Scott Swank made May 18 at 2016 1:14 PM

MSG Scott Swank — Wed, 18 May 2016 13:14:23 -0400

I was stationed with 25th ID from 86-89 as a 13F and I supported the 1/27 "Wolfhounds". I was lucky enough to train with some of the finest Infantry Soldiers of their day. As you may or may not know as a 13F I was assigned to a Field Artillery unit and supported the Infantry. This was valuable training and my Infantry officers gave me recommendations to attend Airborne (87), Jungle (87), RIP (88) and then Ranger School. My whole time in HI was a physical commitment and training for the next level! I was lucky enough to get all 1st time goes on my patrols at Ranger School and graduated July of 1988. I wish I would have taken a tour with a Ranger BN after I left HI but it was not in the cards.

Response by MAJ David Vermillion made May 18 at 2016 4:47 PM

MAJ David Vermillion — Wed, 18 May 2016 16:47:34 -0400

I am a Ranger graduate of Class 8-69 and served with Special Forces and 82nd Abn units in the 60s and 70s.

Response by COL Charles Williams made May 25 at 2016 12:22 AM

COL Charles Williams — Wed, 25 May 2016 00:22:13 -0400

Ranger Class 12/85. Unlike many of my peers, I was lucky in that I was never recycled... It was only 63 days of misery for me. Ranger and Airborne Qualified, and some others too. The Army, Fort Benning, and I consider myself an Airborne Ranger. The Ranger Regiment does not. That discussion makes me laugh. I was Soldier, a MP, and also happen to be an Airborne Ranger.

Response by CPT Jim Schwebach made Jul 15 at 2016 10:58 AM

CPT Jim Schwebach — Fri, 15 Jul 2016 10:58:32 -0400

"I know people think Rangers and those who are Ranger Qualified discriminate but the really good ones don't." Great point! I've been a Ranger for over fifty years. But never in the 75th. Went to the school. Did small unit operations in denied areas. Was approached to become cadre when the 75th was being stood up(declined because we were being prepped for a mission in the Middle East.) Got selected for a (successful) rescue operation in Iran by a man who was a WW2 Ranger(6th Battalion) and a member of both the Ranger Hall Of Fame and the Special Forces Hall Of Fame. He started our interview with "Good morning, Ranger." I smile whenever I hear about "living the life" versus "going to school" as being the criterion for being a Ranger.

Response by MSG Guy Smith made Jul 29 at 2016 11:24 AM

MSG Guy Smith — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 11:24:02 -0400

Airborne school August of 79, and Ranger school class 2-81. Both were nightmares, for a few years prior to my Airborne class the instructors had lost their black hats. This was due to someone, or someone's, thinking their wicked looking bonnets were far to scary for the poor trainees. Our class was one of the first after they got them back, they were so happy, they showered us with their joy, my arms still hurt. I made it through Ranger school by the skin of my teeth, I still don't know how, I was sick beyond belief in Florida. I went days without eating, and was caught burying food after being resupplied because the c-rats were so blasted heavy I didn't want to carry any more. I had to beg to stay in the field, somehow I convinced them, and on day 6 we came in for survival day, I ate two chickens, and two rabbits that day. Whatever I had broke and I was able to go on. The one regret I have is I didn't buy the damn book, I was a little angry in that phase of my life and told myself I never wanted to remember any of it. That's not true though, I still have clear in my mind, the day we all stood on the field and had our tabs pinned on us, and all those patrol caps went up in the air.
Pissing contests between who is and isn't a Ranger is foolish, the school is not really about training anyone, it's more about finding out who will stay by your side when the world is burning and everything is hopeless. I have a great deal of respect for those who served in a Bat, it is a different life, and it takes a greater commitment in many ways. I know there are call outs, where the family can't be informed, that takes a special kind of spouse. It's more dangerous than most assignments, I lost one friend during training, and others during missions.
I will close with a question. I'm looking at the Ranger School page, what is with the blue Swiss seat? What happened to the rope ones? Good grief, are we "knot" teaching that anymore? Did many of us ruin our package for "knot". The world will never be the same.

Response by SSG Bob Delzell made Jun 10 at 2017 6:46 PM

SSG Bob Delzell — Sat, 10 Jun 2017 18:46:50 -0400

They had no ranger regiments when i was in, 1969. They didnt establish them until 1984 on the order of general Abrams

Response by 1SG Darren James made Feb 7 at 2018 3:43 AM

1SG Darren James — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 03:43:28 -0500

Start date: 7 Jan 07

Graduation Day: 28 Sep 07
School path by phase: Darby, Mountains (recycle), Mountains (Day 1), Darby (recycle) Darby, Mountains, Florida, Victory Pond.

Soldiers mentored onto getting their Tabs: 2 (and always looking for more).

It’s like life. Anything worth doing and obtaining isn’t going to be easy. But no matter how many times life knocks you down, you only fail when you choose not to get back up.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2018 3:56 PM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Jul 2018 15:56:37 -0400

I tried and failed. Failed again and again. I can't stop failing for some reason. But I learned.
That was the beauty about Ranger school and me. I can fail something and gain experience from that failure. I have learned a lot and become confident and competent because of it. It's all about what you get out of it. I'd advise everyone to go if they can. I will continue to keep going back until I earn it.

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Sep 3 at 2018 3:58 PM

MSG Danny Mathers — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 15:58:10 -0400

I was both Ranger and Airborne qualified. Ranger School is a leadership course that was designed to prepare leaders for combat. I believe every Infantry Officer and NCO should complete the course and Airborne as well if they have the opportunity. However, there are quotas and requirements. I had always looked up to leaders that were qualified when I wasn't.

Response by PFC Leander Yazzie made Sep 21 at 2018 1:04 AM

PFC Leander Yazzie — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 01:04:13 -0400

First row, left, 7th from center.
Class 09-06

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2018 1:33 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Oct 2018 13:33:07 -0400

Failed the school twice. I had a bad habit of falling off of things. However what I learned failing there, prepared me to successfully complete the Q Course.

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Oct 28 at 2018 3:03 PM

MSG Danny Mathers — Sun, 28 Oct 2018 15:03:22 -0400

Honor Grad 10-84.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made May 10 at 2019 6:20 PM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Fri, 10 May 2019 18:20:36 -0400

Funny,

Folks here debating about Ranger qualified or Regiment assigned. I have no dog in this fight since I’m no tab holder. Nevertheless, I dammed requested the school as an enlisted but never got a slot; won’t complain since my consolation gift was HALO school. I was a rigger for the 75th Regimental Reconnaissance Detachment in the early ‘90s.

When I got my commission as a QM 2LT, again requested the school while at OBC. Guess what? Sorry, big Army won’t send Logist to Huaahh school. Tried a few more time until my back said otherwise.

Moral of the story: many outstanding Soldiers don’t have a Balck & Gold, not because didn’t want to but because were not allowed!