What is the difference between Marine Corps Boot Camp and Ranger School?

2015-01-18T14:39:22-05:00

From what I have been reading on posts about Ranger School, it sounds equivalent to Marine Corps Boot Camp. Can any prior Marines that have been to Ranger School explain the difference?

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Jan 18 at 2015 2:44 PM

2015-01-18T14:44:01-05:00

I haven't been to the other, but from what I've been told, there is a lot more patrolling and tactical thought in Ranger school than in USMC boot camp. The more tactical side of Marine training comes later in SOI or MCT.

The comparison I always heard was between Ranger School and Infantry Officers' Course: loads of field time, tons of hiking, field authority (for training) matters over rank, lots of patrolling, limited food and sleep and it pays to be a winner.

Response by SFC Walter Mack made Jan 20 at 2015 9:09 PM

2015-01-20T21:09:15-05:00

I never went to Ranger school, but when I was in Marine Boot, our Drill Instructor raved about Ranger school and what a great accomplishment it was for him to go. I doubt a high speed Drill Instructor would speak highly of a school reminiscent of being back in boot camp. That said, I have to wonder if this is just trolling for angry responses, or just an attempt to make fun of Marines that reminisce about boot camp much the same way the girl in American Pie remembers band camp. Also, it is highly unlikely that a person off the street is going to make it through Ranger school, but by definition, that is everyone that goes through boot camp.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Jan 20 at 2015 9:11 PM

2015-01-20T21:11:45-05:00

SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member, that is opening a HUGE can of worms and rivalry!

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Feb 5 at 2015 5:14 PM

2015-02-05T17:14:15-05:00

Since I have not been through Marine Boot Camp, I have no real basis for comparison, however, I will venture to say that at least 50% of those who finished Marine Boot Camp would not successfully complete Ranger School. It is really comparing apples and oranges.

As others have stated, I have known many Marines, Navy Seals and others who have completed Ranger School and would verify that it is somewhat akin to Seal training with all the stress, sleep and food deprivations, constant pressure, etc. etc. Although it may be blasphemy in some circles to say so, I believe that Seal training is the only training that is more difficult than Ranger School and I think most people will agree with me. I don't believe any Marine would equate Marine Boot Camp with Seal training, nor should they with Ranger School.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2015 6:25 PM

2015-02-18T18:25:14-05:00

This is a very random question. So what is the difference between flying a jet and race car?

Now I have completed Ranger school. We had several Marines at the start. Only one made it. So the Marines select only the best to go, from their Recon elements. Ranger is an advanced school. You are graded on leadership. If you don't pass your patrols you fail out. In Marine Boot Camp it isn't that demanding. The Rangers are experts in small unit tactics and are the best of the combat arms in the Army. Boot camp is just the initial school for Marines.

It may be as challenging for a new marine to complete Boot as it is a experienced soldier to complete Ranger but the graduation rates don't add up. Ranger has a much lower graduation. The ones that fail out of Ranger are among the best of their units also.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2015 6:29 PM

2015-02-18T18:29:55-05:00

Here is part one of a pretty accurate video series about Ranger school.

Ranger School Promo

Prepare to be blown out of your mind by the awesomeness that is the ARMY RANGER!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2015 6:32 PM

2015-02-18T18:32:47-05:00

Part 2 or 3

Ranger School Promo 2

Be sure to wear EYE PROTECTION before viewing this MIND-BLOWING, FACE-MELTING, BALL-BUSTING EXPERIENCE!!!!! RANGER SCHOOL PROMO 2!!!! And be sure to check ou...

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2015 6:35 PM

2015-02-18T18:35:45-05:00

And the last video

Ranger School Promo 3

GET READY for a SHOTGUN BLAST of PATRIOTISM to the FACE!!! Warning: This video is not for the weak or faint-hearted, just like RANGER SCHOOL! Check out our K...

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made Feb 24 at 2015 6:15 PM

2015-02-24T18:15:37-05:00

Having watched various programs about Ranger school and having been to and graduated Parris Island. I would have to say ranger school would be harder, it also focuses more on in the field leadership and obstacles, USMC basic is that a basic school, its a hard basic but that is what it is. We learned about history and how to be marines and how to shoot and hump and use gas masks etc... Ranger school assumes one knows this I think and it takes ranger candidates into the field to see just how they can leader others and hold out under simulated battle conditions. I could be completely wrong but I think I'm at least somewhat accurate in this.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Feb 24 at 2015 11:00 PM

2015-02-24T23:00:51-05:00

I obviously not a prior Marine, but I went to MP OSUT with Marines (and they were nothing special in a regular Army school, aside from really cool uniforms), and I went to Ranger School with several Marine (Force Recon Guys) and they struggled and graduated at the same rate as the Army guys. The Army guys there were a select group.

Marine Boot Camp is Marine Basic Training, similar to Army Basic Combat Training, etc... Army Ranger School is a grueling course designed to train and test NCO and Officer Leaders in essential small unit combat leadership skills. The vehicle is combat patrolling.

The students come from two parts of the Army. About half are Officers and NCOs are from various combat units in the Army "Ranger Qualified" slots, like Light Infantry Units and units that directly support light units. As an example, when I was a MP Company Commander in 10th Mountain, my PL slots were coded Ranger Slots. The other half, or so, are junior enlisted Soldiers from the 75th Ranger Regiment, who are on their final phase of becoming a full fledged Army Ranger. Finally, you also see various Special Operations troopers from all branches and other countries at Ranger School, to learn invaluable small unit combat leadership skills. If I was CSA, I would make every Army Officer go.

You have lots or Ranger Qualified Officers and NCOs in the Army, but only a small portion are actually U.S. Army Rangers serving in the 75th Ranger Regiment.

It would be interesting to see every Marine that graduated from Boot Camp go to Ranger School, and see what their attrition would be.

http://www.army.mil/ranger/

United States Army Rangers - The United States Army

The United States Army Rangers are the best-trained Soldiers in the world, and the Best Ranger Competition is held every year at Fort Benning to find the best of the best. Rangers lead the way!

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Feb 25 at 2015 12:32 AM

2015-02-25T00:32:16-05:00

Parroting a previously posted comment: Apples to Oranges.

But, here's the fundamental difference(s):

1.) Marine boot camp is designed to build a civilian into a basic Marine. The training is focused to get every body (not "everybody") to graduation day. The next phase is usually School of Infantry (SOI), or their MOS school. All infantry-contracted Marines go directly to SOI. Non-Infantry Marines will, likely, attend SOI or MCT school within a year of reporting to "the Fleet" --after their MOS school. The boot camp syllabus is geared to the lowest common denominator and maximum graduation rates are the goal.

2.) In Ranger school (like OCS), the student must come already physically & mentally fit. The course is designed to elevate the performance of already established top-performers. Attrition is expected... and to a point, encouraged. No attrition = No morale. In boot camp, the recruits are trained how to eat MRE's. At Ranger school, they teach you how to identify safe-to-eat plants ...and animals.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Jun 5 at 2015 3:59 AM

2015-06-05T03:59:35-04:00

I have not been to either but boot camp is initial training where the civilian become the recruit hopefully become a Marine and where Ranger school, everyone is expected to know the fundamentals of being a Soldier and leader. This does not mean the Ranger school is better that boot camp because both are in classes of their own league.

Response by SSG Todd Lysfjord made Aug 22 at 2015 1:27 PM

2015-08-22T13:27:28-04:00

Is this the duffel blog?!...

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2016 11:59 AM

2016-07-05T11:59:22-04:00

Gonna take a stab at this...
Range School is Instructed by Army Rangers.
Marine Corps Boot Camp is Taught by a bunch of Sadistic Humans that lose their voices about two days into the job.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2016 12:39 PM

2016-08-15T12:39:00-04:00

I work as a Series Commander at MCRD San Diego. Marine boot camp is entry-level training geared towards making basically trained Marines and its more mentally taxing than anything. The physical fitness events aren't terribly difficult on their own, in my opinion. However, augmented with "Incentive Training", which can be given every hour during the day with some exceptions, it gets physically demanding. We push them harder than most have been pushed before and build from a 3mi, 5mi, and 8mi hike under load to a 14 mile hike during the Crucible. The Crucible would be the notable exception for difficulty the 54 hour event has recruits are marching over 40 miles, completing dozens of events, and getting 4 hours sleep at night. However, the training is focused on giving Marines basic skills, not in-depth tactical training. They learn how to shoot, but they're not learning anything too varsity. What they're REALLY taking away with them is the discipline, espirit de corps, and the instant willingness and obedience to orders that are the hallmarks of the Marines. Keep in mind, we have everyone from truck drivers to cooks to grunts and artillerymen starting here and we have our own unique flavor since every Marine is a rifleman, but their real tactical will be at the School of Infantry following boot camp.

Ranger School, from what little I know from my own friends in the Army and watching programs on the course, is much more physically difficult. It isn't the shock and awe of the Marine DI screaming in your face 2 weeks removed from your comfortable civilian life, but rather the slow taxing toll of the combat patrol in multiple environments with little food, little sleep, and in-depth instruction to make ADVANCED infantry. Since you're dealing with a pool of candidates who are already military professionals, it's a far different beast and the fact that it makes professional infantrymen tap is impressive. The closer comparison would probably be Marine Basic Reconnaissance Course or BRC though certainly Marine Infantry Officer Course is an impressively difficult course as well.

Each has their merits and are difficult in their own right, but like many other people have said, they have vastly different missions.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2018 12:51 AM

2018-10-28T00:51:38-04:00

Well you need to learn to read. Marine boot camp isn’t anything like Ranger school. I had a Marine as my Ranger buddy in school. I was an e4 and he was e6. He quit. Couldn’t make it through Florida phase. I was in a recon platoon in the 82nd and he was Force recon. If it was like boot camp I would think he wouldn’t have any trouble but out of the entire graduation class I think only one or two graduated. I don’t think any of them were first time goes. I think there was about 30 of us that were.