Posted on Sep 2, 2020
Shortest non-Option 40 contract for being accepted for RASP?
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Hello RallyPoint, hope everyone is well out there. As an aspiring RASP candidate, I had a question regarding who they would be willing to take when it came to length of contract. I plan to sign up for RASP during my time in Airborne School (only a few know that recently, the Army has changed the order where you go to RASP first and then Airborne School for an Option 40). With that said, how long does my contract have to be for the Regiment to accept my application/request? I have in mind to either do a 2 year (2 years Active, 2 Reserve, and yes the recruiter that I talked to has confirmed that they have 2 year contracts at the moment) or 3 years. I know the Regiment wants to get the most out of me since they are putting this much resource into me should I pass RASP, but what was the shortest contract that anyone had getting into RASP? Hope you guys are doing well.
Posted in these groups: 
79R: Recruiter
Ranger Assessment and Selection Program (RASP)75th Ranger RGT
79R: Recruiter Ranger Assessment and Selection Program (RASP)75th Ranger RGT
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 3
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Don’t waste your time with an Option 40 contract, also you’ll need to serve at least three years in the regiment if selected. Expect to enlist three or four years. Request an Airborne contract, you can volunteer for RASP in airborne school; if you fail RASP you’re still going to an Airborne unit. But if you have a RASP contract and fail RASP you don’t go to Airborne school. Plus it’s easier to get an Airborne contract than an Opt 40. Option 40 is just a marketing gimmick, anyone can apply to RASP at any time.
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Ok, you NEED to talk to a recruiter. You are asking contract specific things that really only a recruiter can answer.
Also, ALL initial contracts are 8 years with the AD part being 2,4, or 6 years and the remaining time either Reserve or IRR.
Also, ALL initial contracts are 8 years with the AD part being 2,4, or 6 years and the remaining time either Reserve or IRR.
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Jake Lang
8 year obligation, yes I'm well aware. My apologies for not clarifying that I knew that. Sadly, my current recruiter - although he seems like a decent guy, he doesn't always answer my questions completely (i.e he barely mentions it and then changes the subject immediately after or says: "Yeah, we'll get to that later.").
My plan was that if I should go with a 2 year active, 2 year reserve, I'd do infantry active and transition over to the reserves for a trade-specific job to get something under my belt and open ways up into the trade fields. If 3 years, I'd be infantry 3 years and EAS into the National Guards with (again) a trade-specific job. Any words of wisdom, Sergeant?
My plan was that if I should go with a 2 year active, 2 year reserve, I'd do infantry active and transition over to the reserves for a trade-specific job to get something under my belt and open ways up into the trade fields. If 3 years, I'd be infantry 3 years and EAS into the National Guards with (again) a trade-specific job. Any words of wisdom, Sergeant?
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SSG Brian G.
Here is the problem you are facing. You are going into an MOS and that is tied with Airborne school... that is what I am reading from your posting. And then while at Airborne you are looking to volunteer for RASP. Depending on your MOS, 2 years is not going to be enough time in. And you will actually end up re-upping. Your BCT is going to be 9 weeks and then tack on your AIT, then add in 3 weeks for Airborne School. So just with Basic and Airborne you are 3 months in... and if you figure minimum 20 weeks for AIT.. that is 8 months before you even hit RASP. RASP in itself is 8 weeks. Provided you make it through there is then the requirement to attend Ranger School. That is 61 days so you have chewed through an easy year of training not counting time off for leave and mandatory time for holidays or any holds due to COVID restrictions.
Ny suggestion would be to go with a 4 year enlistment. This allows more than enough time for training and downtime and to get some actual job experience because the schools only give you basics, the actual job it taught at your first unit. Time flies and four years is nothing and from there you can decide the course of your career whether it is to go reserve, guard or remain on AD with the Regiment. This leaves all your doors open and even opens a few more with College and the like.
Ny suggestion would be to go with a 4 year enlistment. This allows more than enough time for training and downtime and to get some actual job experience because the schools only give you basics, the actual job it taught at your first unit. Time flies and four years is nothing and from there you can decide the course of your career whether it is to go reserve, guard or remain on AD with the Regiment. This leaves all your doors open and even opens a few more with College and the like.
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The shortest contract is 4 years.
An option 40 contract is 4 years plus however many weeks your BCT/AIT, Airborne and RASP add up to.
If you are talking about taking a shorter enlistment and volunteering for RASP while in BCT, you will be required to extend so that your ETS would be 4 years after RASP before they approve that.
And you are not guaranteed the opportunity to volunteer for RASP in BCT or AIT.
If you want to go to RASP, take the option 40 and do your 4 years.
An option 40 contract is 4 years plus however many weeks your BCT/AIT, Airborne and RASP add up to.
If you are talking about taking a shorter enlistment and volunteering for RASP while in BCT, you will be required to extend so that your ETS would be 4 years after RASP before they approve that.
And you are not guaranteed the opportunity to volunteer for RASP in BCT or AIT.
If you want to go to RASP, take the option 40 and do your 4 years.
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Jake Lang
Got it Sergeant Major. Without a doubt, 4 years is a blink of an eye for an E-9, but if I may ask, how long does 4 years feel to someone who just wants to do a one term enlistment?
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SGM (Join to see)
In Regiment? In my experience, every day of it felt like a lifetime, and I only did my first year there.
But 4 years is the only way you're getting there, no matter how many times or how many people you ask.
If you want to do a shorter enlistment, find something else that interests you.
But 4 years is the only way you're getting there, no matter how many times or how many people you ask.
If you want to do a shorter enlistment, find something else that interests you.
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CPL Richard Brower
Thanks for your insight, Smaj! I was looking for shortest enlistment for Rgr Regiment and this was the only place I discovered.
For what it's worth, I joined on my 18th birthday in Jan '91 (mom wouldn't consent before). I signed a 3 year (Active) guaranteed airborne infantry contract with intent to volunteer for RIP (now RASP). They weren't recruiting when I went through Abn school so I did 3 years assigned to the 82nd. I saw guys come and go with 2 year contracts. They were still considered cherries when they ETS'd. The 4 year guys saw me go. I'm still close with both 2 & 4 year guys; they say 3 years would have been ideal (developed FTA philosophy after year 3, 2 year guys feel like they didn't experience enough). Those were bad years for the military (>'92 there were significant cuts in budgets) so that was probably a factor.
I'd say if you aren't sure you want to be a Ranger (Living the life - Bat Boy), do the 3 year guarantee (because if you aren't sure, your probability of success at RASP decreases significantly). If you are committed, sign for 4 years and be a Ranger... Don't quit, make every day the best you've ever been - a foundational skill/approach that'll serve you well for all your life. The military has finally figured out how to effectively use the Regiment and you won't find a better unit to earn the pride of a lifetime.
For what it's worth, I joined on my 18th birthday in Jan '91 (mom wouldn't consent before). I signed a 3 year (Active) guaranteed airborne infantry contract with intent to volunteer for RIP (now RASP). They weren't recruiting when I went through Abn school so I did 3 years assigned to the 82nd. I saw guys come and go with 2 year contracts. They were still considered cherries when they ETS'd. The 4 year guys saw me go. I'm still close with both 2 & 4 year guys; they say 3 years would have been ideal (developed FTA philosophy after year 3, 2 year guys feel like they didn't experience enough). Those were bad years for the military (>'92 there were significant cuts in budgets) so that was probably a factor.
I'd say if you aren't sure you want to be a Ranger (Living the life - Bat Boy), do the 3 year guarantee (because if you aren't sure, your probability of success at RASP decreases significantly). If you are committed, sign for 4 years and be a Ranger... Don't quit, make every day the best you've ever been - a foundational skill/approach that'll serve you well for all your life. The military has finally figured out how to effectively use the Regiment and you won't find a better unit to earn the pride of a lifetime.
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