What advice can you offer to someone who has signed an 11x - option 40 contract, with 115 days left before his ship date?

2019-01-31T18:40:42-05:00

After fighting with recruiters and doctors for over a year, I was able to finally secure an infantry slot that happened to have an option 40 and a bonus attached to it. At the time it was the only infantry slot that the counselor at MEPS could pull from USAREC so i agreed to it. What advice can you offer as far as going into infantry OSUT, ranger selection, and then airborne school? As far as workout advice, mental preparedness, and anything else you can thank of. My ship date is at the end of May, Thank you in advance.

Response by SFC Marc W. made Jan 31 at 2019 7:18 PM

2019-01-31T19:18:08-05:00

Start running. The APFT consists of 2 min push ups, 2 min sit ups and a two mile run. You'll want good strong legs for infantry, lots of rucking. Make sure you eat well and sleep well. Also you can look up the ranger handbook and start reading that.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Jan 31 at 2019 7:18 PM

2019-01-31T19:18:10-05:00

Run. Run some more. Run again. And while you're at it, get in some more running. (You get the theme right?)

Check your ego on arrival.

Listen...talk only when asked--or when the drill sergeants are out of earshot.

Be a sponge and soak in everything.

Study what you can before hand, simple things like Army rank structure, etc.; dont worry about trying to be an expert before Day 1... because you won't be, but you may be better off than others.

Learn to love the refreshing taste of water, particularly luke-warm water, because you'll drink lots of it.

Search deep inside you for the fortitude to endure.

Good luck.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2019 7:21 PM

2019-01-31T19:21:31-05:00

The recruiters that's working with you should be letting you know all that. I've been out for 4 years I was a drill sgt and I was a recruiter and those recruiters should be preparing you for Basic Training. As 11x or Infantryman you will be going to Ft. Benning Ga. The home of the Infantry. OSUT means you will be doing basic and AIT in the same unit with the same drill sgts and recruits you started basic with. First thing the Army might be doing the new PT program, instead of the last one with the three events (push up, sit ups, and the 2mi run) I think it's five now.As far as basic training in infantry. You need to be able to pass or max PT. Be good in weapon marksmanship being able to qualify or become expert with the M4 rifle. And be able to walk everywhere with a 30 to 50 pound ruck and full battle gear with weapon on your back for up to 12 miles may be a little more. And most important, don't piss the drill sgt off and you should be good.
Is Option 40 Airborne and Ranger in your contract? When you signed up that's the only way you are guaranteed to go, if not since borh schools are there you can might be able to get a slot in them.

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Jan 31 at 2019 8:14 PM

2019-01-31T20:14:29-05:00

You will do Airborne before RASP. PT is the main thing. Focus on not hurting yourself. Get enough sleep. Do thorough recovery after workouts. Learn the Ranger Creed including the pauses.

But remember that there's nothing you can do in the Army that you can't do in the civilian world.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jan 31 at 2019 9:00 PM

2019-01-31T21:00:02-05:00

Hard PT, but don't hurt yourself. Ruck runs with increasing weight. Long distance runs. Find & buy a Ranger Handbook and study it constantly. Be prepared to push yourself mentally as well. Old saying " This ain't shit! and It don't matter!"

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jan 31 at 2019 9:13 PM

2019-01-31T21:13:32-05:00

Work on your upper body strength! Tall men struggle more with Pull-ups and rope climbing. Expect to be challenged in those areas. Pushups were an integral part of the Army and SOF qualifications. Practice doing proper pushups! When you ca do 50 or so, go on a maintenance program.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2019 9:51 PM

2019-01-31T21:51:44-05:00

Workout during airborne school. Airborne school is where recruits lose all their progress gain from OSUT and show up to RASP not prepared.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Feb 1 at 2019 12:58 AM

2019-02-01T00:58:46-05:00

Start training now. If you are not a runner you best learn to be one most rickey tick. Make it a near habit to jog wherever you go. Start learning what it is to go with less food as the chow hall is not going to be serving up mass calories. Learn to eat quickly or learn to do without as this is not your mamas breakfast table where you can leisurely eat and enjoy that cup of coffee. As one DI put it, if you can taste it you are taking too long.

Start doing pushups, situps and pullups now. Basic will not really be tough but then you have infantry school and ranger selection followed by Jump school. If you are not physically prepared you will wash out and just a word of warning to the ego.... even hard and tough selectees wash out of Ranger school.

Ask your recruiter if he or she has a copy of the soldiers basic manual so that you can learn the ranks, alpha numerics, general orders and such now. It will give you a head start on basic. Also, when you go, pack ONLY what they tell you on the list. Don't try to sneak in extras. FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONs and learn to get used to getting yelled at and dropped for the smallest thing. Do not take it personal. Their job is to break you down, weed out the useless and rebuild you into a soldier. Check the ego at the door or learn to love humping the ground.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2019 11:29 PM

2019-02-01T23:29:37-05:00

Understand you chose that option and understand that what you choose to do or say from then on shapes your outcome

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2019 6:33 AM

2019-02-05T06:33:35-05:00

Run.

Response by MSG James Devereaux made Feb 11 at 2019 9:40 PM

2019-02-11T21:40:56-05:00

Well... first, you’ll go OSUT, Airborne, then RASP. I suggest you get in decent shape, nothing crazy cause you’ll just get in bad shape during OSUT. The instructors expect you to be weak after being coddled and babied in AIT and they know that you won’t be fast or do enough push ups. That’s no big deal, they’ll easily get you back in shape. Know the RANGER creed perfectly. Do NOT ever make excuses for any reason. It will get you destroyed and likely tossed out at the first opportunity. Other than that, just be the best at everything you do in the regular army, that we you can at least keep up when you get to RGT. Good luck, you’re in for a hell of a ride but an amazing one that WILL make you a true warrior.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2019 11:12 AM

2019-03-19T11:12:21-04:00

You got the holy grail of contracts, I don’t know very many people that got infantry contracts with bonuses, never mind Op40. Do not waste this opportunity or you will regret it. Be humble and willing to learn as much as possible.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2019 4:39 PM

2019-06-09T16:39:24-04:00

Basic is easy. You can do airborne school hungover. As for RASP, study the ranger handbook, learn the ranger Creed, get used to rucking, run fast, study land nav and don't you fucking quit. It'll be your biggest regret.