What are some good ways to prepare for Ranger School

2017-11-18T19:22:43-05:00

I'm currently an MS4 in my university's ROTC program. We received our branches a few days ago, I'll be commissioning as an AG Officer with a branch detail of Infantry. I was extremely surprised by this, I wasn't expecting the branch detail and I'm very nervous about having to attend Ranger School, as I really didn't see this coming. How should I prepare for IBOLC and Ranger School?

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 18 at 2017 8:27 PM

2017-11-18T20:27:38-05:00

Congratulations on getting your branching assignment, I know my cadets were all pretty anxious leading up to notification.
PT, land nav, and principals of patrolling.
Get a ranger handbook now, and really pour into it .
If you’re worried about PT, or really any of that, and don’t have a warm fuzzy about the replies that will pile in, send me an email and I’ll hook you up with all kinds of resources.

Response by MSG Pat Colby made Nov 18 at 2017 9:35 PM

2017-11-18T21:35:23-05:00

Know the Ranger handbook inside and out. If you have any concerns or perceived weak areas, do some research on the source FM's. Memorize the Ranger Creed. Practice your knots for the Mountain Phase and be able to tie them in your sleep. Find a recent Ranger Graduate and pick his brain. Good Luck!

Response by LTC Patrick Turner made Nov 18 at 2017 9:57 PM

2017-11-18T21:57:49-05:00

As a long ago graduate, 1973, I would advise heavily three things: first, be in the best physical shape in your life. Secondly be very technically and tactically proficient in small unit operations in all respects and third you must learn early on to be very mentally strong and not a quitter every step of the way. If you are anyone of the following: mentally weak, in questionable physical shape and and not tactically proficient you are guaranteed to fail.

Response by CPT Andrew Wright made Nov 18 at 2017 10:31 PM

2017-11-18T22:31:00-05:00

Catch up on running and rucksack marches, hydrate, and try to put on a few extra pounds before you report but stay well under the max. Your body will need the calories eventually. Also find a Ranger handbook and read ahead.

Response by CPT Christopher Coker made Nov 19 at 2017 5:53 AM

2017-11-19T05:53:13-05:00

1) Congratulations.
2) Start running now.
3) Land Nav is the real silent killer in Ranger School -- study up.
4) Start reading the Ranger Handbook. A lot.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 19 at 2017 9:45 AM

2017-11-19T09:45:47-05:00

You are the third person I've head about getting sent Infantry as branch detail when it wasn't on the list. In Italy, I met a 2LT in your shoes, AG but detailed IN. I just met a 2LT that wanted Signal Corps/Cyber, and he was programmed IN. Odd. First, don't worry about Ranger School. You need to be prepared for IBOLC. IBOLC will give you the tools necessary to get through Ranger School, more so that than be a Platoon Leader in an IBCT (you'll be deficient is personnel, maintenance, supply readiness...but a "go" in training since that's what IBOLC focuses on). IBOLC's six month physical training program, Land Nav week, and multiple Patrolling weeks will get you through RAP week. The only way you are ousted from RAP week is if you don't take advantage of IBOLC's design to prepare. Do complete push ups, understand your land navigation techniques, be road march within the time alotted. Once you get through RAP week, the probability skyrockets for completion of the course. In addition, being a good dude, team player, and positive will also earn you a good reputation within your squad/platoon.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 19 at 2017 5:30 PM

2017-11-19T17:30:36-05:00

Just curious-- do all IOBLC students go to Ranger School automatically now?

Response by SSG James Behnke made Nov 20 at 2017 9:38 AM

2017-11-20T09:38:38-05:00

RUUUUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNNNN

Response by SP5 Randolph Hayward made Nov 21 at 2017 11:14 AM

2017-11-21T11:14:13-05:00

i grew up in the woods was a big plus

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 21 at 2017 3:31 PM

2017-11-21T15:31:27-05:00

I'll echo what others have said, run/land nav/ruck march/etc. But the biggest thing you need to prepare is your mind. There is nothing overly hard about Ranger School physically speaking. It's exhausting, don't get me wrong. But no one is going to ask you to run 20 miles in 20 minutes. It's the mental wear and tear that gets most. It sucks. It sucks really bad. Prepare yourself for that. You are going to get little food and less sleep. You will be wet. You will be more tired and hungrier than you've ever been before. Just embrace the suck and DO YOUR JOB when others are in leadership positions. If you do that, they'll take care of you when you're in leadership.

The other thing to know is that Ranger School can be like the Wheel of Fortune. How you do depends greatly on who's evaluating you. I was there for 4 months and failed to graduate. I hate that, I really do. But it just wasn't meant to be. I gave it all I had and it is by and far the best military school I've ever been to. You will learn more about yourself and about leading others in your time there than in any other training environment. So just give it your best and don't leave until they make you leave.

Good luck!

Response by 1LT Slicker Van Slyke made Nov 21 at 2017 11:34 PM

2017-11-21T23:34:16-05:00

Start training as well on sleep deformation, and 1 meal a day, set some goals, learn all you can ! Road Marches and or Ruck Runs are Excellent conditioning! Look forward to every event as Positive Gain!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2017 11:05 AM

2017-11-25T11:05:10-05:00

Do you know what unit you are going to?

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2017 7:54 PM

2017-11-25T19:54:32-05:00

IBOLC will prep you for RAP week. Anyone who tells you it’s RI roulette is full of it. Keep your head down and don’t do anything to piss off your peers, you will already have crosshairs on you when the ranger bat babies find out you are an officer. But, as a few people have said before, worry about IBOLC. Pass that then get your tab.

Response by MSG John Joseph made Nov 26 at 2017 11:18 AM

2017-11-26T11:18:58-05:00

Other then the lack of sleep and food, everything is on you to prepare yourself. Know the OPORD in and out like your life depends on it. I didn't have a pre assessment or Ranger prep but take everything in they teach. I wen't though an IBOLC Ranger class and was one of the few enlisted there. Use the experience of any NCO's going through, the 2LT's picked me apart and I enjoyed helping. Take each phase in stride and don't count yourself out if you recycle, it's very common. We started with 300 and was one of the 13 that made it though in 62 days. The rest of the graduating class filled in each phase from recycling. Injury was common so make sure your physically prepared by rucking on your time off. I'd recommend a minimum of 65 lbs. You'll end up in positions that's not taught like Assistant Gunner, Ammo bearer, medic or RTO which adds weight to the ruck. Don't be that guy called the "chow thief" or get caught routinely sleeping on LP/OP or stand to. The labels never leave you in your career and it'll lead to a major/ minus. Too many and you'll be sent home or recycled and everyone will know you. You'll be tired but a team player mentality helps, not a spotlight Ranger. This is a course that takes peer evals seriously and not watered down. Good luck, RLTW.

Response by COL Robert Campbell made Nov 28 at 2017 10:45 AM

2017-11-28T10:45:36-05:00

#1 PT. A strong healthy mind and body entering Rgr School has a better chance of making it through the rigors of the course. If you are smart and adaptive and can pick up concepts and put them into practice you will be just fine. Just remember, they can't stop time!!

Response by MAJ Richard Cheek made Dec 28 at 2017 5:03 PM

2017-12-28T17:03:17-05:00

Accept it, train hard work hard be the best infantry officer you can be. When you do go AG you will be miles ahead of your contemporaries in your people skills and leadership. Trust me I had a platoon leader when I was a sqd leader in 1972 that bitched and complained because he was an engineer and so not a lowly infantry man. He was a crappy platoon leader and the only time I ever heard of a lieutenant get a blanket party... from the other platoon leaders.

Response by CPT Tony Lawrence made Jan 3 at 2018 7:12 PM

2018-01-03T19:12:55-05:00

I'll tell you to get the Ranger Handbook and start doing ruck marches on your own. It'll help with conditioning. Other than that just stay strong. I was graduating class 11/10, so if you need to know anything else, just message me

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2018 9:15 AM

2018-01-15T09:15:36-05:00

You'll be alright. IBOLC is easy if you pay attention. As far as RS goes, just do a lot of rucking on the weekends and get familiar with OPORDs. As an LT, you'll be more scrutinized by RIs. You'll be good though if you're already concerned about it.

Response by 1LT Lance Ward made Jan 17 at 2018 12:39 PM

2018-01-17T12:39:14-05:00

All of the above comments about running/rucking/land nav/RGR handbook are the basis for earning your tab. Beyond this basic advice here is what I did:

1st week SURVIVE! I attempted to get close to the 75th boys that were in my squad. No rank or badges are worn BUT everyone figures out who everyone is pretty quick. Initially they saw me as a cherry 0-1 and suggested that I associate (do weapons maint.) with my fellow 0-1's. Their is no rank at Ranger School. After peering on the low end after Darby phase I made it a point to be a team player to the extreme. Starting to learn, not just survive, this is a leadership school after all. BTW, my 3 buddies from the 75th and I were all 1st time goes.

Beyond just saying Land Nav: 1st mission as squad leader, Darby phase:
Helicopter insert with movement to an ambush point. That was the idea, right?
I stupidly put my A team leader in charge of navigation. HUGE MISTAKE!!!!
Leaving the helo we get hit by the Krasnovians on the LZ. We go running off to the wood line and I no-go the patrol after the RI had to take over land nav so we could get to our ambush site. After my 1st no-go and low peer eval I was determined to improve. ALWAYS- regardless of duty position follow along pace count and Azimuth. This will keep you awake both during planning phase and execution. Droning is real and Ranger candidates will drone out, regardless. Again, teamwork. You help your buddies and they will help you. Everyone will be pushed to thier limit.

The platoon internal medic: unauthorized
I was lucky enough to have an 18D and a 18E in my platoon. Any medical issues candidates had could bounce it off the 18D 1st, prior to possibly getting medically recycled. If the candidate wanted to stay, our friendly SF medic would do the best he could to help the candidate. Teamwork! This training is not for the feint of heart.

Random Equipment:
Keeping control of all assigned equipment is a must!
Example: Patrolling in Mountain Phase.
1st. While on patrol and getting a simulated artillery strike we take proper action and start running direction and distance (which is real). I happen to slip on the run and see a bright yellow miles key on the ground (I went through in 1998- old guy, you know back when it was tough, KEEP A SENSE OF HUMOR RANGER). Anyways, I knew that someone was going to need that yellow key or be screwed. I secured the key and continued to move. Once we got back to Mountian camp it did not take long for one of my 75th buddies to mention that so and so lost his MILES key. Bammo- guess who has a key for you, problem solved, teamwork, looking out for your buddies pays in spades. BTW this is not authorized.
Example: Always inspect all equipment issued prior to recieving it!!!!!
2nd. One of my squad members discloses that his rifle does not have a firing pin. He should have function checked the weapon BUT we all make mistakes. This guy was a team player that was thought highly of, so we figured it out.
Ranger games. He did not loose the firing pin, it was never thier. Between the squad we handed off his rifle to the man that was most unlikely to have to fire.
We completed Mountain phase and our friend moved to Florida with us. I guess the Armorer should have check the rifle at turn in. Oh, the Irony. This is not authorized.

Almost everything that you need to know is in the Ranger Handbook.
Working selflessly as a team was the real lesson for me. The dynamic that you have with your squad,section,platoon to me was the real lesson. A robot or monkey can do battles drills and you will feel like this no doubt. Can you stand up and pull more than your share, support your buddies at all times, watch thier backs and they will watch yours. Good luck and be tough.

PS: the E-4 mafia is real, be advised.

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made May 18 at 2019 9:33 PM

2019-05-18T21:33:46-04:00

PT your ass off, run/ push-up, pull-ups, they’ll teach you what you need to know, you just need to be in good enough shape to actually train.