What advice can you give about FABOLC and competing for a Ranger School slot while there?

As a currently serving artilleryman, my personal experience is a bit dated, but I'll provide the following to assist and allow you to used as you see fit. If there are more students than slots, the normal criteria to weed out folks that you should try to learn for yourself or consider include: class ranking, academics are the most important thing for you to focus on while at BOLC; PT score, they will want to know you're in the shape to make the minimum requirements of Ranger school. They will also normally set a standard above minimum at BOLC. Know what those are and prepare accordingly; follow-on assignment, if you're going to a light assignment, they normally lean towards those folks over others going heavy; your attitude and performance while attending any pre-ranger prep they have going on. The order I listed, both in my experience and if I was running the program for selection, is the order of importance and/or weight. Keep in mind that going to Ranger school will not get you promoted etc... It is the best small-unit leadership course that anyone can go through in the Army. You will learn a good deal about yourself and what you are capable of. The light community has gotten better over the years, but there are always those that do the uniform check to see what "flare" you have... If you're doing it for any other reason than to test yourself, take on a challenge, and want to be the best small unit leader you can be then it's not for you... Recommend verifying this criteria with what the cadre at Sill will share with you if they haven't already. Good luck.

PT your tail off! Most ranger school fails are from PT. Don't be soft be hard as steel! Even do two work out sessions a day!

As many have said it's not that difficult to get slots. In the other branches like infantry everyone gets a shot. But outside of that many don't even want to do. It's really not going to damage a career if they don't have it. I would make your intent known though. The worst thing you can do is train on the wrong areas and not get a slot.

CPT (Join to see) do you have anything further to add on this, beyond what other folks have said?

CPT (Join to see) I went through FABOLC back in 2006-2007 timeframe. Generally, slots to go to Ranger School out of FABOLC are not super competitive to get, compared to other non-Infantry branches like Armor. Granted, you still need to get a slot but my observation was that if you put in the grind and got through it, you could definitely get a slot for Ranger School. Also given that you are going to the 82nd, I think it will be fairly straightforward for you to get to Ranger School once you get to the 82nd, if for whatever reason you don't go straight from FABOLC. Best of luck to you.

I cannot speak firsthand for FABOLC specifically, but from what I’ve heard it isn’t difficult to get a slot unless you do very poorly. Interest isn’t as high as it is in infantry or armor. Truthfully, if you are in good shape, squared away, and want to go there are few Battalion Commanders that wouldn’t send you. So if for some reason you don’t get slotted at BOLC, you will get the opportunity once you get to your unit.

Rob, I went through FAOBC in 1979... undoubtedly a lot has changed since them, I'd suggest you study and work to be in the top 10 in the class. I know that means staying away from the clown's den or what ever name of the strip club is outside the gate, but if you want to be a cannon cocker it takes work.

Update: Thanks everyone for your insight and words of encouragement! I am a month into the course and I am enjoying learning everything about Fire Support and Manual Gunnery! I can't wait to earn the title of a Red Leg. As far as earning a spot for Ranger School, BOLC students can volunteer to participate in Ranger PT. If you complete it, you may be awarded a slot based on merit, or sent to your receiving unit with a MFR from the Battery Commander stating that one is qualified to be sent to Ranger School. Thankfully, my class is majorly NG, and they must compete for Ranger school through NG.

I graduated FABOLC February 17'. Then immediately went to Ranger school afterward. Getting a slot is pretty simple just be in the best shape and don't fail any tests. That being said, only 2-3 people per class were given slots. If you're the top 2-3 in your class doing the pre-ranger pt, too easy. Make sure to let both your gunnery and fire support instructors know your post bolc intentions. They'll help you get there and mentor you towards success.

I just graduated from FABOLC, and I don’t know much about the ranger competition other than they only had a slot for the number 1 man. I thought the class work was pretty rough as we had a very large class. 6/17 had 145 and we lost 20 to the course. Furthermore the classes now are suffering because they only have 3 Gunnery instructors for 4 platoons.