Posted on Mar 3, 2016
Would it be better to just enlist and go to Sniper school or go to West Point and become an Army Ranger?
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Posted in these groups: 
Basic Sniper Course (USASC)
United States Military Academy (USMA West Point)
Ranger
Basic Sniper Course (USASC) United States Military Academy (USMA West Point) Ranger
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 20
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A few thoughts:
- Basic answer is that it depends upon your personal/professional goals and what your priorities are.
- Being a sniper is an exclusive enlisted option (can not be an officer). You can be an Army Ranger either as an enlisted or as an officer.
- Therefore being a sniper, West Point cadet, and an Army Ranger are mutually exclusive unless you become a sniper as enlisted (quickly) the get to West Point before you turn a certain age (22 I think) then becoming an Army Ranger after that. Theoretically possible but unlikely.
- So the questions become "what do you want to do with your life?" and "of the things you want to do, what is most important?". Once you answer these questions for me then I can answer your question for you.
- Basic answer is that it depends upon your personal/professional goals and what your priorities are.
- Being a sniper is an exclusive enlisted option (can not be an officer). You can be an Army Ranger either as an enlisted or as an officer.
- Therefore being a sniper, West Point cadet, and an Army Ranger are mutually exclusive unless you become a sniper as enlisted (quickly) the get to West Point before you turn a certain age (22 I think) then becoming an Army Ranger after that. Theoretically possible but unlikely.
- So the questions become "what do you want to do with your life?" and "of the things you want to do, what is most important?". Once you answer these questions for me then I can answer your question for you.
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COL (Join to see)
COL Smallfield - well said!
Dakota Cooper - It sounds like you have some pretty amazing dreams! One thing is for certain... the Army has a million great opportunities. Figure out what you want most and shoot for it, but be open to taking an alternate path when it presents itself. Also, if you can put three rounds into a dime with a .22 rifle from competition distance- you'll be eligible for the West Point Rifle Team. Its a great way to be on a Varsity Team (Go Army Rifle!!) and get to enhance your shooting skills while serving the country. It doesn't lead to being a sniper, but it's just an example of one of the many opportunities that may present itself that you probably don't even know exist yet. FYI- our coach was a retired ex-sniper and member of the President's 100... he made it clear that a lot of really great shooters don't make it to be a sniper. So, shoot for the stars, but give yourself options!
Dakota Cooper - It sounds like you have some pretty amazing dreams! One thing is for certain... the Army has a million great opportunities. Figure out what you want most and shoot for it, but be open to taking an alternate path when it presents itself. Also, if you can put three rounds into a dime with a .22 rifle from competition distance- you'll be eligible for the West Point Rifle Team. Its a great way to be on a Varsity Team (Go Army Rifle!!) and get to enhance your shooting skills while serving the country. It doesn't lead to being a sniper, but it's just an example of one of the many opportunities that may present itself that you probably don't even know exist yet. FYI- our coach was a retired ex-sniper and member of the President's 100... he made it clear that a lot of really great shooters don't make it to be a sniper. So, shoot for the stars, but give yourself options!
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CPL Joey Weaver Jr.
I want to be a sniper. So should I become a radio operator first! then apply for sniper school.
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SGT Michael ONeal
Cpl Weaver; To become a sniper, you must be in 1 of 3 MOS series; 11, 19D, 18. If you're in one of those 3 MOS series, you can apply to sniper school. I say this politely, you best be damn well prepared to go to this school. Better that than to waste your time and the instructors time.
Sgt Michael ONeal, 75F, 42F, retired.
Sgt Michael ONeal, 75F, 42F, retired.
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The phrasing of your question leaves too many other questions. What is your ultimate goal? What do you enjoy doing? Do you want the highest probability of shooting and killing bad guys? Do you want to make the most amount of money as soon as possible? Do you want to be a great leader of men and strive to become a general one day? There are many different ways to go about any of those goals.
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CW4 (Join to see)
Then you have your answer. I know Infantry/Rangers enlisted and officers that are deployed and haven't fired a shot. If that is what you want to do, then go do it and don't let anyone get in your way. The best way to do that is to find one and get his advice. Good luck.
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CPL Joey Weaver Jr.
You Have a Weapon, the enemy has weapons. Maybe I can take some stress out of the battle. I look as it as a fathers word to his family. I am not perfect, but I will always do what I can to protect you. so sleep deeply. Dad is on guard.
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If you want to be a shooter, I think my recommendation would be to enlist in the Infantry with an Option 40 Ranger Contract, which means that you go to One Station Unit Training for the Infantry, then Airborne school, then then to Ranger Assessment and Selection Program. Rangers tend to have a priority on schools, so if you have the skill set, this would be the place to go for all those addition high speed schools.
None of this guarantees you a Ranger position, but it does guarantee you the chance to go for it.
You need to be a high school graduate, have an AFQT score of 50 and a GT score of 110 on the ASVAB, no moral waivers (no juvenile record) and be able to pass an Airborne Physical.
None of this guarantees you a Ranger position, but it does guarantee you the chance to go for it.
You need to be a high school graduate, have an AFQT score of 50 and a GT score of 110 on the ASVAB, no moral waivers (no juvenile record) and be able to pass an Airborne Physical.
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CPL Joey Weaver Jr.
If I could show you my hits during basic, you might just say, the mission requires death. Its war. Let me be a sniper.
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If you want to be a Sniper enlisted is the only route. Officers are not snipers. If you want to be an officer shoot for West Point. Can't do both.
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I enlisted in 1974 and was accepted as a cadet into West Point in 1976 and graduated in 1980 (Join to see). You can become an Army Ranger either as an enlisted man or as an officer. My oldest son enlisted in the infantry and was assigned to 3/75 Ranger battalion after going through jump school and the RIP program at Ft Benning. Ranger school graduation is required fro all NCOs and Officers in the Ranger Battalion and Regiment.
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(Join to see) Does your question really pose a question? As I read, yes/no is not a vote for either option!
1st, get your sxxt straight! Would your grades gain you admittance to Hudson High? After that determination, other hard choices may appear.
1st, get your sxxt straight! Would your grades gain you admittance to Hudson High? After that determination, other hard choices may appear.
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CPL Joey Weaver Jr.
I have a 130 gt score from back in the 1970's. I do not know what makes you so special. this is not about glory, its about doing the best I can to defend a way of Life.
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1. USMA does not guarantee either Sniper nor Ranger slots and they do not ever guarantee passing the schools.
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Go enlisted, 11X (Infantry) 40 Option (Regimental Ranger). They will send you to Ranger School, and once you have that you can try to convince them to send you to sniper school. From there, if you are still young enough, you can try for West Point or another commissioning option if you still want.
There was a guy in my 3rd Ranger Batt Company before I got there who did that. Specifically, he signed an 11X contract, got 11B (most do), graduated Airborne School and RASP, went to the Soldier of the Month boards and crushed it almost to the top of the board competition. For this, he was awarded his choice of three schools. He chose Military Free Fall, Sniper School, and Ranger School. Also while in Batt he got his CIB and EIB. Having checked pretty much every possibly block, he then went to West Point and commissioned.
To be clear, if you go to Batt, they will eventually send you to Ranger School unless you screw up. Once you have the Tab, they will often give you other cool-guy schools, but not before.
On the other hand, if you just want the Tab and don't care about being an actual Regimental Ranger, you could just enlist with an Option 4 (Airborne School, not RASP) and end up in the 82nd, where they will send you to any school you impress them enough to earn (read: don't be stupid, and crush PT consistently) including Ranger School and sniper school in any order, but preferably Ranger School first.
There was a guy in my 3rd Ranger Batt Company before I got there who did that. Specifically, he signed an 11X contract, got 11B (most do), graduated Airborne School and RASP, went to the Soldier of the Month boards and crushed it almost to the top of the board competition. For this, he was awarded his choice of three schools. He chose Military Free Fall, Sniper School, and Ranger School. Also while in Batt he got his CIB and EIB. Having checked pretty much every possibly block, he then went to West Point and commissioned.
To be clear, if you go to Batt, they will eventually send you to Ranger School unless you screw up. Once you have the Tab, they will often give you other cool-guy schools, but not before.
On the other hand, if you just want the Tab and don't care about being an actual Regimental Ranger, you could just enlist with an Option 4 (Airborne School, not RASP) and end up in the 82nd, where they will send you to any school you impress them enough to earn (read: don't be stupid, and crush PT consistently) including Ranger School and sniper school in any order, but preferably Ranger School first.
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