Why are Apache pilots getting Ranger school slots?

2015-07-31T18:49:18-04:00

How many apache pilots get slots to go to U.S. Army Ranger School?
What would be the benefit?

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2015 7:05 PM

2015-07-31T19:05:25-04:00

Same reason a food service specialist or a veterinarian. When and if something goes down, its Better skills to bring to the table if needed

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2015 2:37 PM

2015-08-05T14:37:42-04:00

Fair question, would even be valid if normally 90-100% of those attending Ranger School were headed to the regiment or light infantry duty. Never been the case. As an attack pilot, having a better understanding of TTPs of your supported ground force commander can only make you more effective in your mission set. Billed as the premier military leadership school, it would seem an obvious place to send military leaders regardless of their objective MOS!

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Aug 5 at 2015 3:16 PM

2015-08-05T15:16:37-04:00

How many? No idea.

What would be the benefit? To whom? Almost none to the Army...but that is not stopping the Army from helping make the political statement that they are being ordered to make.

Ranger Regiments does not have Apaches? No, but Apaches are used in support of these units.

How many? No idea, but I get where you are coming from.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2015 3:33 PM

2015-08-05T15:33:47-04:00

Another waste of time and effort for someone chasing schools with flair you can wear. I mean how many AH-64 pilots are going through sapper school? I feel the same about this as sending us to airborne or air assault. Its unnecessary and wasteful. The army pays a lot of money for its Pilots and to loose one to injury on an unneeded course is just wrong. If pilots wanted to be Rangers, Airborne, Air Assault, or Sappers they should have gone infantry or engineer. Pilots really gain nothing from these courses except for things they can wear.

Response by SPC George Rudenko made Aug 5 at 2015 5:07 PM

2015-08-05T17:07:13-04:00

I actually like it. I want whatever combat support that is coming to me to know what I am doing, how I do it, and how I am percieving it. The navigation skills are invaluable. And remember you don't have to be in a Ranger unit to be a Ranger. There used to be LRSD. And I for one want that warrior mentality in anyone fighting. I suppose traditionally 11B was exclusive to Ranger school, but we are in a different world now with unconventional warfare. Intel, techies, medical, and say EOD also need these advanced skills to properly integrate into more advanced units.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 6 at 2015 8:08 AM

2015-08-06T08:08:24-04:00

What benefit would the pilots get?how would they be better able to do their jobs if they went to ranger school?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2015 12:18 AM

2015-08-18T00:18:43-04:00

If the South Carolina National Guard can send a F-16 pilot to Ranger School then I don't see the issue of sending a Apache Pilot.

F-16 pilot earns Ranger tab, performs flyover at ceremony

When Maj. Stephen Kaminski received his commission from the South Carolina Air National Guard in 2002, he knew that he wanted to fly. However, a 2010 deployment to Iraq as an F-16 pilot got him thinking about something else: attending Ranger School.

Response by SGT Rik Thibodeau made Aug 21 at 2015 12:49 AM

2015-08-21T00:49:19-04:00

What most people don't seem to realize is that Ranger School is, above all, a leadership course. The goal of the course is not to just to turn out Rangers but to turn out great leaders, regardless of MOS.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Jan 1 at 2024 10:25 AM

2024-01-01T10:25:33-05:00

In case they get shot down, and they are the ranking O among the group they meet up with, they would have some understanding of what to do as a ground pounder.