Why is it that whenever I see anything of Ranger School, none of the candidates wear ranks on their ACU?

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 23:46:42 -0400

Response by 1SG Darren James made Jun 7 at 2017 11:48 PM

1SG Darren James — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 23:48:48 -0400

When you're in school, there's no rank. Only roster numbers. When you graduate, it's only the Tab. Students tend to stay in the student uniform until the graduation is over and change into normal clothes.

Response by SGT Eric Knutson made Jun 8 at 2017 12:00 AM

SGT Eric Knutson — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 00:00:03 -0400

As I understand it, (no, I am not a ranger, but served with many) every one is a maggot until graduation, just because you are an LT or CPT even, you get 0 perks in class, EVERYONE is going to lead patrols, everyone is going to give briefings, and usually with about 10 seconds notice, everyone is hungry and sleep deprived so that everyones brain is the same level of mush. now you get to perform and get critiqued equally. It is about teaching responsability to self, and to the team.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jun 8 at 2017 6:04 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 06:04:04 -0400

They are put into a level playing field, rank doesn't count until after school. Your there to learn and train.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2017 8:07 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 08:07:55 -0400

Because while you are there you are only known as "Ranger." Everyone is treated the same and is expected to pull their weight. I aid in training soldiers going to Ranger school and am a certified RI. I have seen a BN CSM go to Ranger School after going to a Pre-Ranger. When there he was treated the same as anyone else. If you don't do that you could have an Officer or CSM try to force another soldier to work beyond their expectation.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2017 9:01 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 09:01:08 -0400

Graduated Ranger School in May 1985 (7-85)... yes, over 30 years ago. I was a PFC... much has changed since... we wore OG-107s, ran in jungle boots, sang "dirty" Jody cadences, hand to hand combat was UFC grade and jumping into Russian's Red Square with your grease gun was a requirement for admission ... However, rank and unit anonimity has not changed!!!... this is b/c Ranger School is and will continue to be a test of leadership stamina where "dismounted patrolling" is the simply the vehicle ... in order to achieve this outcome the environment has to be class or rank-agnostic.

Response by CPT Jim Schwebach made Jun 8 at 2017 9:57 AM

CPT Jim Schwebach — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 09:57:55 -0400

Ranger School sign in, March 1966, "Lieutenant remove your rank and insignia. Here we treat everyone the same - like sh!t!!!!!"

Response by MSG Pat Colby made Jun 8 at 2017 6:35 PM

MSG Pat Colby — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 18:35:19 -0400

I graduated class 3-89. At the time I was one of the oldest guys in the Class. I was also the highest rank as an SFC. They made me the Field 1SG in the Mountain, Swamp and Desert Phases. I was responsible for accountability, mail call and a variety of other duties while we were not in a field or training environment. Once we left Garrison and did patrols, I was just another Ranger wannabe.

A NVG came up missing in the field during the Desert Phase. I had my accountability done when we left the barracks. A few days into the field portion, a guy went to sick call. His weapon was secured by the PL but somehow the NVG's that were in his possession disappeared. I got smoked and threatened all the way up to and even after Graduation. They demanded that I sign the Statement of Charges. I refused as it was the RI's job to ensure the daily accountability in the field. After the Grad Ceremony, all other students left. I sat in a hallway and got my ass chewed by EVERY person that walked by. They finally let me go around midnight. Fuck them! I didn't lose their shit and I wasn't paying for that shit.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2017 9:12 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 21:12:28 -0400

Loved it, I was also proud most thought I was an NCO until graduation. Back when I attended I had served 7 years as an NCO and just commissioned.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2017 4:16 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Jul 2017 16:16:45 -0400

Everyone knew pretty quickly what rank everyone was. But it didn't matter, because during the training the real discriminator was whether the others in your squad/platoon thought you pulled your weight or not, and whether you were a good teammate or not. That is what determined how others viewed you and what level of respect you received.

Response by PO3 John Keas made Jun 12 at 2018 5:37 PM

PO3 John Keas — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 17:37:49 -0400

All candidates are equal. Only the instructors are above. Your rank is stripped from you when you start. That's what I always thought. Just like in the SEALs or any other SPECOP where officer and enlisted train the same like that

Response by SSG Michael Raysses made Jun 14 at 2018 1:10 AM

SSG Michael Raysses — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 01:10:01 -0400

The instructors KNOW who they are!... everyone one of the candidates is KNOWN by the staff that instructs them.... so their ranks aren't important... watch the movie, "GI JANE".... it shows that very way of treatment about candidacy within the special forces, DELTAS, SEALS, and Force Recon!.... HOOAH!!!....

Response by SPC Charlie Robinson made Jun 14 at 2018 4:09 PM

SPC Charlie Robinson — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 16:09:48 -0400

So, what's the bitch. That's the way it should be.

Response by LTC Anthony Broussard made Jun 14 at 2018 11:10 PM

LTC Anthony Broussard — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 23:10:21 -0400

Because we are all one team, no individuals. Ranger Class 10-76! Bicentennial Ranger!

Response by SSG Brian Carpenter made Jun 15 at 2018 8:04 AM

SSG Brian Carpenter — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 08:04:23 -0400

Ranger school like many others is a team effort school. Everyone is Ranger or maggot lol until your tabbed and go to your units. Everyone does the same amount of work as the next Ranger.

Response by SSG Brian Carpenter made Jun 15 at 2018 8:10 AM

SSG Brian Carpenter — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 08:10:35 -0400

Rangers lead the way...even with humor bwahahaha

Response by MAJ John Douglas made Sep 12 at 2018 10:23 AM

MAJ John Douglas — Wed, 12 Sep 2018 10:23:52 -0400

The NCO on the left has his rank, just under his right hand where it is now worn.

Response by SGT Philip Bahr made Oct 20 at 2019 1:05 PM

SGT Philip Bahr — Sun, 20 Oct 2019 13:05:45 -0400

Col. Kurtz went through SF training when he was 38 years old.

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Oct 20 at 2019 3:26 PM

Sgt Dale Briggs — Sun, 20 Oct 2019 15:26:44 -0400

It’s a school, your there to learn not lead, and I suppose your only a Ranger recruit at that point, you haven’t earned a thing until you graduate. Your rank at this point I’d assume only shows up in your paycheck. At Benning I was a number on my helmet, granted being an E4 I had an N in front of my number for being an NCO, but basically a number to the black hats.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2019 11:03 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 09 Nov 2019 11:03:25 -0500

Probably that rank has no privilege there. All merit-based. They are expected to uphold the expectations of their rank, but never benefit from it.

Response by Nicole Thomas made Oct 12 at 2020 12:55 AM

Nicole Thomas — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 00:55:05 -0400

Why?

Response by SSG Robert Peterson made Sep 25 at 2021 1:46 PM

SSG Robert Peterson — Sat, 25 Sep 2021 13:46:10 -0400

It didn't take long before everyone's rank was known, didn't matter though, all Rangers got to lead an OP and get a look, when you're Pl, you're leading rank