Ranger School, Thoughts, lessons, and rumors.

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 15:12:41 -0400

I am finally back. I have been away for a while. I just completed Ranger School and graduate on Friday. I am one of the few National Guard officers there and have learned so much. It is truly a leadership school without a doubt. Going into it I thought I knew all about it but I did not. There is so much more than you may see. It is one of those things that unless you have been there you may not understand.

Here is some information for those that want to go to Ranger School. You can post information here about your questions about Ranger and ask any questions that may have.

Among those of us who have been, want to go, or just find it interesting what are your impressions of Ranger School. I have come to find out only 17 percent of the army infantry NCO's are Ranger Qualified. This is the lowest it has just about ever been. The Army is pushing hard to increase that number. I have two tours in combat as an NCO and I can say that I still learned a lot at Ranger School.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2014 3:31 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 15:31:12 -0400

Congrats LT!

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Apr 23 at 2014 3:35 PM

SGT Ben Keen — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 15:35:15 -0400

Oh geez, this place is about to get all crazy again!!! Welcome back LT and congrats on completing the course.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Apr 23 at 2014 5:38 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 17:38:44 -0400

Congrats to you, 2LT Rosa! We are excited to see you again, after so long away. Your Influence Score has some making up to do! :)

Response by SSG Jeffrey Spencer made Apr 23 at 2014 6:48 PM

SSG Jeffrey Spencer — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 18:48:34 -0400

Congratulations!

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2014 11:16 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 23:16:15 -0400

My impression? Invaluable lessons of leadership, brotherhood, pain and hunger. Proud to have earned my Tab. Congratulations to you and your Ranger Buddies. RLTW!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2014 5:30 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Apr 2014 05:30:23 -0400

I share the same thoughts about Ranger School. Being a rare breed of officer to have gone through, Med Service Corps, I encourage my medics, and anyone, regardless of MOS to attend. It is truly an invaluable development opportunity. If you are up to it, stay hungry, gain some experience and go to RASP! The brotherhood and intensity only gets stronger in Regiment. That is my plan for now!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2014 1:04 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 01:04:40 -0400

Lt Rosa, congrats, you deserve it and will make a great office and leader. Thanks sirs! You earned it.

Response by MAJ Jim Woods made Apr 28 at 2014 2:21 PM

MAJ Jim Woods — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 14:21:21 -0400

The body can do more than the mind thinks it can. Don't let your mind limit you.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2014 9:17 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 09:17:59 -0400

Congratulations on your achievement! That's a tab that you can wear with pride and know that you certainly earned it. It's also nice to hear that after two combat deployments, you were able to still learn some new things and undergo good training.

Response by MSgt Keith Hebert made Apr 29 at 2014 9:19 AM

MSgt Keith Hebert — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 09:19:36 -0400

Congrats 2LT

Response by SFC James Baber made May 30 at 2014 12:39 AM

SFC James Baber — Fri, 30 May 2014 00:39:34 -0400

Have you checked the School site for recommended accessories besides the normal packing list, they have some interesting suggestions; I would also recommend checking directly with other RP members through the search engine for firsthand knowledge, especially current students and recent grads.

Good luck

Response by COL Peyton Ligon made May 30 at 2014 11:32 AM

COL Peyton Ligon — Fri, 30 May 2014 11:32:17 -0400

The number one thing you need to bring is a winning attitude, which will keep you going when everyone else is falling out of the runs! Number two is to bring your best physical condition you can possibly achieve. Foot powder and socks are the 3rd thing you will go through.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2014 1:20 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 May 2014 13:20:53 -0400

Heart

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2014 8:19 PM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Jun 2014 20:19:01 -0400

Congrats LT!! Well done!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2014 11:17 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 23:17:30 -0400

There are few things you can bring with you. Benning is bad for taking away stuff you can't have. You can bring extra stuff that is on the packing list. I would invest in good socks. I used Fox Rivers and they were great. Never got a blister. Bring extra boots. I took an extra set of summers and it really paid off. I would also have some extra stuff set to the side. While on pass in Benning, before you got to mountains, you can go replenish stuff you need. You will see what you really need. Take a ranger joe or commandos catalog with you. That way you can write home and have them send you specific items you need. This really paid off also. I would also bring two knifes, you will lose one, and a good multi-tool. Tie it off. I lost mine in the mountains. I just about went into deep depression. If you need anything else let me know. I just grad in April. I am pretty fresh out.

Response by Capt Jeff S. made Jul 29 at 2014 2:48 PM

Capt Jeff S. — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 14:48:42 -0400

I didn't learn a damn thing in Ranger School. BUT! Then again, I never went through it. ; )

While going through Survival School at Eglin AFB, I did see a lot of Rangers, although we were told we wouldn't see them. They generally looked more tired and hungry than we were.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2014 1:48 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 01:48:26 -0400

Hustle, takes no skill.

Had an RI, in a come to Jesus moment, tell us about his fat sister running to the fridge to get dip for her chips during a commercial break in her soap opera. He said she was very slow except when crunched for time between her interrest and hunger.

So the morale was supposed to be that if you really want something motivation will drive you beyond your limits and hurry up Rangers. Of course, 5 minutes after SP we merry band of sleep deprived zombies found ourselves take a knee every 100 meters until that RI got frustrated and started popping Artillery Simulators.

I also learned if you take a knee it means the leader has no confidence and the RIs knew it too. That RIs hate slow Rangers who are unconfident. Taking a knee does not cause you to suddenly find yourself, stops actually induce error.

I therefore, when playing PSG, refused to let the guy pretending to be a PL stop the formation for short halt. I made threats attacked their manhood and told them "just keep us F***ing going" and terrain associate as you go. As point man I would walking as fast as I could to keep people moving. I was my Platoons pace man during the movement through the "Weaver" longest swap movement; I got use within 8 feet of the designate deep water crossing, so the RI with the GPS told me. I had the acting PL question me and the RI standing walking near by to him "trust your paceman, you might actually get some sleep tonight".

So do not take a knee to often to second guess yourself and a RI's fat sister can out pass olympic sprinter when properly motivate. Therefore "hustle takes no skills". Is possible anyone else here ever recieved that speech.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2014 12:41 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 12:41:28 -0400

I learned that you can do a lot more than you think. And to try out get out of the swamps before it gets dark.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2014 2:39 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Aug 2014 02:39:35 -0400

First, the Army let in anyone and everyone for a period of time. Then they went soft and trained a bunch of cupcakes. That is why only 17% of Army Infantry NCOs are Ranger qualified. Most of them probably aren't even qualified to go.

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Sep 3 at 2014 9:09 PM

COL Jon Thompson — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 21:09:08 -0400

For me, it was how much I could push myself and overcome self-doubts. I failed every APFT as a freshman ROTC cadet and never thought I could make it through Ranger School. 4 years later, I graduated on my birthday and today, I consider it one of the major accomplishments of my Army career. It has also helped me get through stressful civilian work environments as well.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2014 8:46 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 20:46:37 -0400

Is there specific advise you would give to women? I currently MAX the male APFT and I can do 7 pull-ups. I worked Brigade S3 writing OPORDS for two years. What other areas should I improve if my application is accepted?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2014 1:36 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 01:36:13 -0400

I learned about the importance of trust in keeping a team together. Ranger School was the first time I saw how much a lack of trust could destroy a team.

Our platoon either had a chow thief or liars. It happened once or twice in Mountains then got really bad in Florida. People would claim that their MRE was stolen, then try to get pity food from the rest of the platoon. Some people, including me, believed they were lying (for details I won't get into here) and eating their MRE at night when no one was looking or grazing during the day. It really broke down morale and trust in the platoon.

The low point was Thanksgiving day when they laid out the entire platoon and discovered a few guys had rat fucked their MREs. I don't want to go into details but it got really bad that day.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Oct 29 at 2014 5:45 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 17:45:33 -0400

Work as a team and not an individual. Do not bring attention to yourself; keep a low profile.

While you certainly learn a lot about yourself in Ranger School, it is really all about leadership. When in charge, take charge. When not in charge, support those in charge.

Those who try to single themselves out, succeed... in singling themselves out; but that is not a good thing.

Words of wisdom and experience from a former Ranger student and Ranger instructor.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2014 9:27 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 09:27:54 -0500

Here is another thread that may answer questions.

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/ranger-school-thoughts-lessons-and-rumors

Ranger School, Thoughts, lessons, and rumors. | RallyPoint

Response by SGT Richard H. made Nov 23 at 2014 9:34 AM

SGT Richard H. — Sun, 23 Nov 2014 09:34:32 -0500

http://www.benning.army.mil/infantry/rtb/

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2014 4:01 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Dec 2014 16:01:44 -0500

Here is some of the info that I learned going. I went earlier this year. I was a winter Ranger. If you are going in Jan or Feb just be prepared to freeze.

Besides the Tiny Heart syndrome the next biggest killer is injuries. A lot of people get hurt there. They come when they are not in great shape. You take a fall the wrong way and you are done. Coming in good shape helps that.

The RPFT is a killer also. I used a metronome to prep for the pushups. It doesn't matter if you get 300s. They will fail there. If you do good form you are good. Get a metronome app on your phone and use it for push ups. Set it to tick every second. With that you would go down on one tick and up on the next. This will force you to perform good push ups. I had to touch my chest and just about lay on the ground for them to count. All i had to do was 49 and I was good. The run is also a killer. You have to do a 5mile in 40 mins. You just got to condition yourself for running.

For training for Ranger you need a strong set of legs. I can ruck but I suck at hills. Just don't be the weakest one there or you might get peered. I worked on squats, stair stepper and rucking to prep. I just did a lot of 12 miles with 50 pounds. Keep in mind you don't want to hurt yourself before you get there. While there you will carry up to 80 plus pounds sometimes. In the mountains it will kill you.

Peers is rough at times. Whatever you do be so good at it they won't want to lose you. I peered in the middle. I always did the weather and oakoc for every OPORD. Being an officer I was trained in it. Being a PFC you don't know a lot yet. The more you learn the more you will be prepared. Be as helpful as you can be. If no ones knows what you did at the end of the phase you will suffer on peers.

Also, Benning is the killer. You can bring extra on the packing list but not much of anything else. Gum is a way of life. I would get the desert gum. It made you feel like you were eating a meal and you won't be hungry so much. while on pass after benning you will be able to get extra of what you need. Bring back a ranger joes or commandos catalog. In this case you can send a letter to a friend or family member when an item number and name of what ever you need and have them order for you. I used this a lot while in mountains. Also bringing preprinted address labels was nice.

That is all I can think of. It sucks but can make you. If you fail you can go back. I went when I was a PFC in 2002. i failed miserably. I wasn't ready and no really cared to prep me. You are far more prepared than I was. I went back this year and finally made it after 12 years. It is not hard it just sucks. Let me know if you need anything.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2014 4:11 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Dec 2014 16:11:11 -0500

Also. This is a great resource. My wife joined them and she learned a lot. She was able to send me stuff they recommended and it worked out great. I would diff take a look at this.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/rangersupport/

In addition to this I would also look at the Ranger School Webpage. They have a powerpoint with a lot of good info on it.

http://www.benning.army.mil/infantry/rtb/content/PDF/Ranger%20School%20web11.pdf

Ranger School Statistics

60% of all Ranger School failures occur in the first 4 days (“RAP Week”): RPA, Land Nav, Footmarch, CWSA.
30% of all Ranger School failures occur due to Personal Reasons: Admin, Lack of Motivation, Special Circumstances.
10% of all Ranger School failures occur due to Academics: Patrols, Peers, Serious Observation Report, Medical Issues.
Only 2.2% of all Ranger School failures are due to Patrols (Academic).
Only 5% of all Ranger School failures are due to Patrols, Patrols/Peers, Patrols/Peers/Spots (Academic).
50.13% Overall Graduation Rate last 6 years (FY 06-FY 11) 37.2% Ranger Graduates Recycle at least 1x Phase of Ranger School
75% of those who complete RAP week will eventually pass the Darby Phase and move on to the Mountain Phase. Darby Recycle Rate is approximately 15%.
94% of those who start the Mountain Phase will eventually pass and move on to the Florida Phase. Mountain Recycle Rate is approximately 18%.
98% of those who start Florida Phase will eventually pass and graduate Ranger School. Florida Recycle Rate is approximately 18%.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2015 5:35 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Jan 2015 17:35:44 -0500

Earning the tab is difficult, living up to it is the hard part.

EVERY SINGLE DAY!