What is the likelihood of getting Ranger School in the National Guard?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 05 May 2019 19:13:11 -0400

What’s the likelihood and how can one in the NG in a infantry unit get a spot for ranger school, does it usually ever happen?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2019 7:19 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 05 May 2019 19:19:51 -0400

You should have a chance "at some point" over your career to go Ranger. The best gauge of when that might be is with your Chain of Command. The thing with being in the Guard is each state may only budget to send but a handful of people every year, and they obviously want to send someone who's a lock to earn that tab. The best thing for you to do now is make sure you maintain as close to a 300 on your APFT as possible and master your 10 level skills. If you really want Ranger, you'll have to stay in your NCOs ear about it, that may take months, may take years. Just don't disappoint when you get the opportunity. Good luck.

Response by 1LT Kevin Chapman made May 5 at 2019 7:21 PM

1LT Kevin Chapman — Sun, 05 May 2019 19:21:34 -0400

Lol yeah don’t bet on it man. That is very unlikely. The only individuals I know of that went to Ranger school in the NG were lieutenants they graduated towards tge top in their IBOLC class.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2019 8:17 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 05 May 2019 20:17:57 -0400

It is possible but extremely rear. It also depends on what type of unit you are in and your commands willingness to send you. In my 10 years in the guard I have heard of only one enlisted guy to try and he didn't make. More than not they aren't ready. You will have to go to RTAC first at Benning to even get a shoot at Ranger school. Also, you should come with a functioning knowledge of infantry operations. That is pretty rear to find the Guard.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made May 5 at 2019 8:45 PM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Sun, 05 May 2019 20:45:56 -0400

Impossible no, hard.... very hard!!!

Within the NG, this types of training becomes (unfortunately) an unnecessary expense. Your state NG do have funds allocated for training but is better used on professional development schools like NCOES and alike. Other training like Ranger school or Jump school only depletes the checkbook which at the state level is very finite. On the regula army side of the house the story is different since the funds comes from the Army itself and not the unit’s pot!

Response by CPL Douglas Chrysler made May 6 at 2019 12:00 AM

CPL Douglas Chrysler — Mon, 06 May 2019 00:00:34 -0400

First, I would want to know how this would benefit my unit. Know the Ranger mission and you might find all that's gained by successfully completing the course entities you to display the tab. An infantry Guard unit would be an infantry unit with one or two Rangers.
On the other hand, participating in the Infantry school would enhance what you have already learned. And, your unit would greatly benefit from the extra training you receive from becoming an expert Infantryman.

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made May 6 at 2019 8:12 AM

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA — Mon, 06 May 2019 08:12:56 -0400

Lot's of NG get Ranger School slots. In fact, the NG has one of the best Pre-Ranger School programs.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2019 10:53 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 May 2019 10:53:00 -0400

Depends on your states school budget among many other things, we have a good bit of SM’s that are sent from PA. They do pre-ranger and then are sent upon completion of that. Make sure you are ready physically and mentally and keep on your chain of command. Maybe focus on starting with career progression courses (DLC, and BLC courses)and make sure you excel at those first and prove you are willing and able to go.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2019 10:54 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 May 2019 10:54:35 -0400

Easiest way to go about that is to express interest, put on a display of your physical capabilities and tactical proficiency, and bring it up at every opportunity. There aren't exactly an abundance of NG guys pushing for Ranger School. Your 1SG will be pleased to see he has someone that is interested in rising above his peers and taking initiative. You're basically your best advocate. Go sell everyone above you on the idea of sending you to Ranger School.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2019 4:52 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 May 2019 16:52:25 -0400

You have to want it more than anything and express it to your COC. I’m a Ranger instructor and I’ll tell you that people think they want it until day 0 starts at ft benning. If you’re not physically ready to go, your COC should not even let you go to pre Ranger. If youre not exceeding the standard in the physical events like RPFT, 12 mile ruck and swimming, don’t waste your time. Physically train until you get to where you need to be.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2019 10:27 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 May 2019 22:27:48 -0400

Slim to none, depends on the state funding and you have to compete in an OML to get school slots.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2019 11:38 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 May 2019 11:38:00 -0400

As everyone has said it depends on your unit and state. However I know at my unit we have a SM that just returned from ranger school but my unit has a lot of SM enlisted and officer that have completed ranger school.

Response by COL Gary Gresh made May 9 at 2019 8:40 PM

COL Gary Gresh — Thu, 09 May 2019 20:40:42 -0400

You will never know if you do not try!!! Squeeky wheel gets the oil... keep asking...sooner or later someone will know you are sincere. If you get a deployment to Fort Benning, go to the Ranger Trainingcommand and ask to get in..yes just ask..they have ways of making stuff happen... I wanted to go t oAirborne school but Infantry branch told me no! there was no time..but they sent me to the Infantry basic Officers course at Fort Benning so I was alreayd where the airboren course was taught..so once I graduated fro mthe basic officers course, I got up at 4Am, walked across post to the Airbore Department..Found the commanders Door and sat down to wait for his arrival.. I fell asleep against the door frame and he woke me up when he came to work.. Asked me what the hell I was doing there? I tod him I wanted to go to airborne school and my branch would not let me go.....I was in Airborne school the next day...my branch was pretty mad, but what the hell-I have my wings!

Response by SSG David Verdoorn made May 14 at 2019 1:49 AM

SSG David Verdoorn — Tue, 14 May 2019 01:49:42 -0400

I have a couple of soldiers going to that at the end of this year.. much of it depends on school seats and if you have a good readiness NCO that checks on things like that he/she can put you in for it if you meet the standards for it.

Response by CPT Brad Wilson made Jan 19 at 2020 11:22 AM

CPT Brad Wilson — Sun, 19 Jan 2020 11:22:50 -0500

In the Guard only Infantry units have slots for Ranger School and they are limited. Sending someone on active duty for that long takes a huge chunk out of a units training budget. I noticed you are a 13B so if you stay 13 series then the answer is no. But if you are in a towed Artillery unit they do have Air Assault School slots because part of the light artillery mission is to be air assaulted by helicopter. When I was in a towed unit in the Guard we had 2 Air Assault slots available each year