Posted on May 5, 2019
What is the likelihood of getting Ranger School in the National Guard?
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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?
Ranger School
Infantry
Ranger
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 14
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.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
The chances depend on the state and the unit and if that unit is associated with an active component. Back in the 90's, 73 Brigade in Ohio was a Round Out Brigade for 10th Mountain and they had slots available for Company Grade Officers and Senior NCO's to attend Ranger School. Indiana has an LRS unit and Texas has an Airborne unit, both of which gets Ranger slots, so they are more common than you think, but as you pointed out, very unit specific, although some states use Airborne and Ranger school as a reward for Soldier of the Year. This soldier is Artillery, so that decreases his chance a lot in the Guard.
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CPT (Join to see)
CPT Lawrence Cable - The Guard is trying to increase the number of Ranger qualified Guardsmen. I worked for the National Guard Bureau trying to address. I was the Senior Trainer for the National Guard's Ranger Training and Assessment Course at Fort Benning. Just about all of the LRS units are gone now. TX does have Airborne but so does a few other states. What it really comes down to is if the State is willing to pay. The NGB is now trying to send Soldiers from Basic Training to Ranger School now. They are staying at Benning and training up for a few months for it. They know the States really don't try to send anyone and don't value it. I had an Ranger Qualified commander when I first commissioned in the Guard and went to Ranger School. I was the only officer to go from my state that year. I was also the only Ranger qualified LT in my Brigade. My state really didn't place it as a priority and on top of that so few were ready to really be successful there.
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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.
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Lot's of NG get Ranger School slots. In fact, the NG has one of the best Pre-Ranger School programs.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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!
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