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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!
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!
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MAJ (Join to see)
PV2 J M - This is good advice. I'll add to help with ruck marching do a lot of stuff barefoot. Not running or rucking but just walking around outside. If you can reasonably go shoeless, do so. It'll toughen the bottom of your feet. If you want to be a Ranger right out of the gate, make sure it says that in your contract. Don't but the recruiting line of "Once you get to your unit, tell them you want to be a Ranger". It doesn't work like that. Ever. Push ups and pull ups should be a no-brainer. Do a lot.
Lastly, I'll say that before you commit to something like this you need to do a real gut check. I've known many guys who wanted to be the best of the best (or just straight up infantry) and got to basic training and realized that it isn't nearly as much fun as the movies and posters made it look like. The Infantry life can be a very hard one. Especially for new guys. And Rangers ramp it up even more. It's not all jumping out of airplanes and blowing stuff up. Walking everywhere sucks. Sleeping on the ground in the snow and rain sucks. Bugs suck. Being hungry and tired suck. BUT, it's all worth to some and makes the jumping and explosions even better. If that's you, go for it. If not, there's no shame in going a different direction. Good luck.
Lastly, I'll say that before you commit to something like this you need to do a real gut check. I've known many guys who wanted to be the best of the best (or just straight up infantry) and got to basic training and realized that it isn't nearly as much fun as the movies and posters made it look like. The Infantry life can be a very hard one. Especially for new guys. And Rangers ramp it up even more. It's not all jumping out of airplanes and blowing stuff up. Walking everywhere sucks. Sleeping on the ground in the snow and rain sucks. Bugs suck. Being hungry and tired suck. BUT, it's all worth to some and makes the jumping and explosions even better. If that's you, go for it. If not, there's no shame in going a different direction. Good luck.
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Eldest Son is in basic now - the guys who cant check ego are dropping out. My son wrote that biggest issue that baffles him is things like "fall in and shut up. Stop talking. Dont talk backt. Just do what you are told" . It sucks - basic - but is temporary.
My middle son is a HS and wants to be a combat medic with RASP/option 40. He is running every day - working towards 30 to 40 miles a week. He backpacks/rucks already. He has a program that includes sit ups, push ups, pull ups, flutter kicks, bare crawls etc. No real heavy duty weight lifting. Also - hes practicing the 250M swim with gear on.
My middle son is a HS and wants to be a combat medic with RASP/option 40. He is running every day - working towards 30 to 40 miles a week. He backpacks/rucks already. He has a program that includes sit ups, push ups, pull ups, flutter kicks, bare crawls etc. No real heavy duty weight lifting. Also - hes practicing the 250M swim with gear on.
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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.
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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!
Good luck, ruck on!
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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
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Suspended Profile
Do it
Just keep in mind that these steps are always segways into other things...
Just keep in mind that these steps are always segways into other things...
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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.
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.
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