Posted on Oct 27, 2018
1LT Chaplain Candidate
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Edited for BLUF:

- Not that having the tab itself makes any difference, but that having what it takes to get the tab makes a difference, as does taking the lessons learned from the process into the future.

- If one wants to be great and do great things, then shouldn’t one work towards the highest goals, like Ranger school?

- Does it matter to you? Do you prefer leaders that are Ranger qualified or at the least have made the attempt?

- This discussion isn't narrowed to me. As with any question about Army culture, I think it's just as much about me as it is about what we develop in others, if not more so.

This is coming from the perspective that Ranger school is not a leadership school, but a direct test of leadership and leaves a soldier better off having achieved the standard. Though small team infantry tactics are not directly relevant to every branch, being mentally and physically tough and adaptable in the most demanding of situations is.

Anything is helpful, I welcome the discussion. Please take a minute to scroll through everyone's comments.

(Currently in ROTC)

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I appreciate everyone sharing their thoughts. RallyPoint is known for its crass comments, personally I embrace this. But, I often push for reflective statements and digging deeper too. The following is what I believe to be the best perspective to take when entering this discussion. It was not getting enough traffic down below in my opinion, so I posted it here:

"In short, both Soldiers and their families place a great deal of trust in the Army to provide their sons and daughters with the most highly skilled and well trained leaders possible. I take the responsibility very seriously and pursue every possible educational opportunity the military is willing to provide to gain knowledge and hopefully become a better leader in the process. Regardless if its EO, SHARP, MRT, Ranger School or Master Gunner I always aim to sharpen my skills as a combat Leader and hopefully increase the probability of bringing everyone home from whatever conflict In find myself in next. If the Army refers to Ranger school as its premier leadership course, I would take it as a personal responsibility to go, regardless of MOS. A war will come when even S1 will be forced to close their laptops, pick up a rifle and fight. If there is a .01% chance that any 62 day course will help keep my Joes alive, sign me up, its a small price to pay. Flag me down the next time we meet and I'll give you some insight to the real lessons you will learn in Ranger school, the brush up on tactics was just a bonus."
Edited >1 y ago
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Responses: 36
CPT Ray Gilmore
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(1) You sound like a Caditiot..... take no offense by it.... it simply means your rambling.......I stopped reading halfway through your 2nd paragraph.

(2) Learn how to be brief and direct, before pinning on that butter bar.....regardless of the branch you are assigned to.

(3) "The Tab" is a $0.49 piece of cloth. The lessons you learn about yourself in the process of Earning that Tab, are immeasurable....... but that piece of cloth only buys you 2-minutes of respect when you walk into the room..... that's it.

Once you open your mouth, tab or no tab, if you're a dub...... the room will know.

RLTW
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CPT Ray Gilmore
CPT Ray Gilmore
>1 y
SSG K Johnson are you done?

Did you read all the comments?

1LT (Join to see) stated he was thankful, for the blunt answer, (twice) and as a result, he rephrased his question in a BLUF, bulleted format.

So, SSG, I would say that my response, albeit abrasive to a few, did help the cadet.

And, I wasn't the only one to suggest that he be more direct.

PFC Cody "Delta" Dunn RLTW = Ranger Lead The Way
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SSG K Johnson
SSG K Johnson
>1 y
Yea I'm done. Was directed more towards CPT Grammar up there but it's cool.
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CPT Ray Gilmore
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CW4 James Hirt
CW4 James Hirt
>1 y
I agree with CPT Gillmore. If you haven't got it, people will see that pretty quickly.
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CSM Charles Hayden
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23
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1LT (Join to see) I do have a problem
imagining a 68W Healthcare Specialist, ‘leading the way’.

Doing a better job than your peers will you set you apart. Continuing to do so as you are noticed and given more challenging tasks will provide all of the opportunity you need to be successful.
(23)
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CSM Charles Hayden
CSM Charles Hayden
>1 y
1LT (Join to see) I ain’t gonna bother checking a profile to respond to a query from a SPC! The military is based on an full exchange of information!
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1LT Chaplain Candidate
1LT (Join to see)
>1 y
CSM Charles Hayden - You're right. I apologize. Thank you.
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CSM Charles Hayden
CSM Charles Hayden
>1 y
PFC Cody "Delta" Dunn Have you had your shots for xxxxx?
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SSG Clint McCollough
SSG Clint McCollough
5 y
CSM, apparently you haven't met too many medics. You must be long retired if you do not know that 68W encompasses both hospital medics AND combat medics nowadays... We are all qualified to do both and pointedly, if you haven't experienced a solid "Doc" in an infantry unit then I'm sorry. A medic of average intelligence is 100% smarter that 99% of anyone in combat arms. There's a very good reason why you can be infanty with an ASVAB score in the 30's but 90's to be a medic.
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SFC Retention Operations Nco
19
19
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If you have the chance to go, then go. Once you have your tab you'll realize the doors it will open. Sure, you can absolutely be an effective leader without it and having it doesn't make you a leader.
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Van Amberg
Van Amberg
>1 y
my boss was a ranger officer and then he transfer to navy reserved to be close to home and became a sea bee officer
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