What advice do you have for a high schooler who wants to join the Army 75th Ranger Regiment?

PV2 J M — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 09:41:31 -0400

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2017 9:43 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 09:43:29 -0400

Start here:

http://www.benning.army.mil/tenant/75thranger/Recruiting.html

The United States Army | Fort Benning | 75th Ranger Regiment | Join the 75th Ranger Regiment

The 75th Ranger Regiment is currently experiencing a period of unprecedented growth in size, capability, and increased employment as the Special Operations force of choice. Due to this growth, positions in most MOS's have increased. The 75th Ranger Regiment is continuously looking for energetic and highly motivated individuals to fill its ranks.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2017 10:42 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 10:42:27 -0400

PV2 J M Listen closely and observe the best practices of your superiors and peers, and then emulate these practices. Stay squared away, and enjoy the experiences. Good luck.

Response by Cpl John Barker made Sep 14 at 2017 10:43 AM

Cpl John Barker — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 10:43:05 -0400

Get involved in as many sports as possible: wrestling and football come to mind especially. Stay out of trouble, and don't go into the army with a girlfriend. You will be issued a new one upon arrival at Ft. Benning

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Sep 14 at 2017 10:43 AM

SGT Dave Tracy — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 10:43:53 -0400

Spend your time between now and HS graduation getting ready. We are a running Army, and you better believe high-speed guys like Rangers know what it is to run far; run fast. Also, practice ruck marching. Get a sturdy backpack and load a bunch of weight in it and walk. Walk far. Walk not just on smooth, paved streets. And don't walk too slowly. All that said, don't do too much too fast in the beginning; build up your strength and endurance over the time you have to get ready.

Don't get into any trouble with the law or with drugs-the Army won't touch you if you do. Before you meet with a recruiter, study up on the Army, MOSs that feed the Rangers such as the Infantry, and of course Rangers. Do this NOT so you walk in the door as an expert (LOL!!!), it's so that way you know the right questions to ask recruiters. And when you do talk to them, don't make the mistake I made; get Airborne in your contract!!! Even if you don't make it to/through Ranger school, it's a good thing to have. BTW, big disclaimer: "Study" in NO WAY means watching movies or TV. Collectively Hollywood doesn't know an damn thing about the military. Hell, I'm still waiting to see Arnold Schwarzenegger reload a weapon!

When you arrive for your initial entry training, check your ego at the door. Your sensibilities will be insulted, your body will be exhausted, and nothing will make sense...at first. It won't be easy, but nothing worthwhile in life ever is. "Basic training" is rough, but don't worry, it ends, and it is not how Army life is on a day-in, day-out basis (mostly). As the name implies, it is the most basic level of training the Army will provide you as a foundation for your future; you will continue to train throughout your entire career.

Good luck!

Response by SGT Jim Arnold made Sep 14 at 2017 10:57 AM

SGT Jim Arnold — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 10:57:02 -0400

learn to reach that "2nd wind" become goal minded with a never quit attitude no matter what happens. your instructors are going to push your limits

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2017 12:11 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 12:11:34 -0400

The physical aspect cannot be stressed enough. Ruck, run, do pushups (correctly!), situps, and pullups. But do not do only those exercises, there are plenty of "get ready for RASP, SFAS, etc..." workouts online, they are usually pretty good. Practice the ASVAB test (military entrance exam). You need to score high to get into Rangers or any other SOF job, you need a 50 alone to be eligible for Infantry, the higher your score the better MOS offers you will receive. The Rangers need Soldiers who can think as well as power through, a person who is just really strong will not be enough. Critical thinking and being able to think while tired are very important. Your recruiter will not get you a job, that is the guidance counselor's job, the recruiter just gets you to the MEPS (military entrance processing station). Let the recruiter know you want to do Option 40, which is a guaranteed trip to try out for the Regiment, but definitely make sure the guidance counselor knows, as he/she actually makes your official training reservation.
Good luck, ruck on!

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Sep 14 at 2017 1:27 PM

SSG Carlos Madden — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 13:27:23 -0400

I'd start by reading some of the other discussions on this subject: https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/ranger-school-a-reflection-on-toughness
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/how-hard-is-ranger-school-really
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/75th-ranger-regiment-tips

Ranger School: A Reflection on Toughness | RallyPoint

I was fortunate, lucky really, to have made it through without recycling--I received go's on all my patrols, and I attribute that more to luck and some damn good squad members than anything I did. As anyone who has traversed the woods of Benning, mountains of Dahlonega, swamps of Eglin--and in my time the deserts of Dugway--knows, any ranger instructor (RI) can fail any student on any patrol over any number of lapses. I had a couple of the...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2017 5:46 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 17:46:54 -0400

First you have to recognize the reality that you have a greater than 90% chance of failing. Everyone says they won't quit, but they've simply never been pushed hard enough to find their true breaking point.
My RIP class started at just under 100 and graduated around 30. Over 200 people were holdovers waiting for the next class to start, and we dropped half the class just doing PT. Then of all the people who volunteered from Basic/AIT, quite a few dropped before or during Airborne school. So the chances of anyone making it from start to finish is are slim.
What everyone says about being fit and training is true, the stronger you are the longer it takes to max out. But, mental stamina is where you'll make your money. Develop an iron like integrity that any tiny thing you say you'll do, you'll accomplish no matter what. Not quitting on any single thing needs to be so much of a lifestyle its almost stupid. Add endurance events to your training that push you past your limits on occasion and don't let yourself quit.
Run. A lot. Run fast and run far, but run smart. The easiest way to get guys to quit is to make them run fast for a little while. But also be strong. You'll be doing buddy carries or drags, and those skinny runners won't survive picking up that 240 pound guy and running up the hill with him in a fireman carry.
Good luck.

Response by SSG Alan Pelletier made Sep 14 at 2017 9:33 PM

SSG Alan Pelletier — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 21:33:03 -0400

Do it
Just keep in mind that these steps are always segways into other things...

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2017 11:27 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 23:27:35 -0400

prepare for the succ

Response by MSG Michael McDaniel made Oct 12 at 2017 6:23 PM

MSG Michael McDaniel — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 18:23:12 -0400

Can you get phone calls?

Response by SGT Floyd Shown made Jan 4 at 2018 7:55 AM

SGT Floyd Shown — Thu, 04 Jan 2018 07:55:15 -0500

Get your mind right. Be absolutely positive you want to do this. If your heart is not fully into it, your mind will defeat you. When you’re tired and sore and cold and miserable you will be given the option to drop out. A weak mind will make you ring that bell. Make success not your #1 goal, but your ONLY purpose in life. Everyone keeps talking about the physical aspects, but your mind is the most limiting factor, the greatest foe to your success. The ones that succeed at anything in life are the ones that have the strongest will to succeed.

Response by SFC Harry H. made Jan 8 at 2019 12:42 PM

SFC Harry H. — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 12:42:48 -0500

PT your ass off. Take up swimming, great PT.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2019 2:33 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 14:33:47 -0500

Good luck at RASP. Better start rucking now rookie.