I'm currently a senior in highschool and have been considering joining the army. Im pretty set on joining and I'm going to take the ASVAB this Tuesday with my recruiter at a base in Springfield, Mass.I live in Fairfield, Connecticut which consists of spoiled rich kids that have no loyalty to their country or any sense of patriotism. Americans are fighting and dieing to protect the very freedoms that we value so highly, so I think it's time that I did my part and contributed.I have my mind set on becoming a Ranger and maybe someday part of the Special Forces community. I scored over 70 on the practice ASVAB which my recruiter told me is more hard than the actual test. I am looking for any information regarding the Ranger contract and advice on which routes would be better to take. Any advice would be appreciated and I just want to get as much information as I can before I make any decisions. I am planning on joining the army sometime in the winter or early spring as a future soldier. I've talked with my recruiter on the subject but not in depth yet, i plan on getting more information from him when he drives me to take the ASVAB, but i thought it would be best to get information from soldiers who have already been there and aren't just trying to get my name on paper. I would greatly appreciate any information that would help me decide my future in the army. Thank you.
The army needs you. You don't need them. Remember that when you're at the MEPS and they're trying to get you to sign something. If you want to go Ranger, and they tell you they don't have any Ranger contracts, tell them to give you a call when they do and then walk right out of there. They'll dig up a contract real quick for you.
Unless you want to be a Ranger medic. Pretty sure they don't give Ranger medic contracts anymore.
Same goes for Airborne contracts. If the recruiter tells you he doesn't have any, he'll find one real quick after you tell him to call you when things change.
Research this board most of your questions are already answered. Woozy makes some points, however don't have an attitude. Tell your recruiter what you want; for instance if you want to experience the most from your time in the Rgr Regt. I recommend 11B Option 40- Infantryman in the rgr Regt. There are other MOS's but how much of being in the mix varies with these other MOS's. I would defintely hold out for what you want, a slot will open up at some point, so just be patient. While serving in the Rgr Regt. you will get a great start on a possible career in the military and you can decide what you want to do next from there.
As far as going SF this is a different path altogether. You can also research this board and get answers. If SF is your choice expect a long road on your training path and sometime once you get to a team until you are really valuable to the SF community.
Both are great places to be, but both require different skill sets and a different mind set. While you need to be a good infantryman for both, what you do in SF will require a number of other talents. Personally I recommend your carer starting in the infantry and then deciding what your next choice will be.
Originally posted by woozy: they tell you they don't have any Ranger contracts, tell them to give you a call when they do and then walk right out of there.
Thanks for the advice I just wanted to find out information from soldiers who have been there and were once in my shoes. I appreciate the support, I will search around to find out some more answers. If anyone has any additional comments, avice, or information just leave a post.I wish everyone luck who is in the army and out fighting. Hopefully I will be out there with everyone within the next year supporting our country.
Originally posted by ranger1stbat: Research this board most of your questions are already answered. ...
The other day a question was asked on here that has been asked before, can't remember what it was. I went to look for the answer and realized that it had been deleted by the semi-annual pruning of the threads that Admin does on the forums. If a thread has not been active in 6 months, it gets deleted. I'm going to bring it up to Admin that boards such as ours where there is a lot of research being done by new comers, get more than three pages of archives. That, or we're going to have to make us a stickey thread with all the pertinent info for the newbies.
Not diggin at you personally, just thought I'd let everyone know.
I scored a 75 on the ASVAB, looking for some input. My recruiter said that it was a high score and would enable me to be in almost any field I wanted. Just wanted to hear from someone besides a recruiter to double check.
Originally posted by 15529176: I scored a 75 on the ASVAB, looking for some input. My recruiter said that it was a high score and would enable me to be in almost any field I wanted. Just wanted to hear from someone besides a recruiter to double check.
Here is how I looked at the military 22 years ago when I enlisted. 1. Did I want to learn a skill that I could transfer into a job or career when I got out?
2. Did I want to do something high speed and cool that would be an unforgetable experience with tons of cool memories?
3. Did I just want the college fund and just do something for a few years to get it?
I choose the high speed experience of a lifetime option. If you choose the option that gives you a career when you get out I would recommend the AF or Navy. If you want high speed go Army. You really have to decide for yourself, whatever you decide make sure it motivates you and realize you will be doing whatever it is you choose in a war zone at some point.
I'm interested in becoming a ranger so I've been thinking about signing for infantry. My parents want me to consider all of my options before I make a decision. I'm most likely going to sign up within the next couple of months after my football season is over. I know you can sign up for other jobs and still become a ranger, but I'm exactly sure what the point of that would be. If I'm going to be trained to fight, then I feel like infantry is the best option to go with being a ranger.
I think im looking for more of a high speed type of thing. I'm bored with school and I need a break from that lifestyle. I want some excitement in my life, high adrenaline, and be able to do something that most people cannot say they have. That's why I've been considering becoming a ranger. Going to airborne training, air assault, and all of the other training that goes with becoming a ranger seems like it would give me an experience that I could not get anywhere else. I know i would most likely end up having to fight at one point and im not going to say that I just want to go out and fight and kill people like some of the kids my age say. Im sure a first deployment is eye opening and even scary, but I think that is something I'm willing to do if it came time to. I'm wondering if becoming a ranger would be a good choice in fitting this type of lifestyle and if other soldiers get these sensations in doing things such as airborne, air assault, and everyday ranger training.
I'm looking for more of the #2, high speed experience of a lifetime. That's why I was considering trying to become a ranger.With airborne, air assault, and everyday training it seems like a ranger would best fit that category. When I leave for bootcamp I will have just turned 18, if I wanted to try to go the special forces route, what would be the best way to reach that because you have to be 20 to qualify for the special forces.
Originally posted by 15529176: I'm looking for more of the #2, high speed experience of a lifetime. That's why I was considering trying to become a ranger.With airborne, air assault, and everyday training it seems like a ranger would best fit that category. When I leave for bootcamp I will have just turned 18, if I wanted to try to go the special forces route, what would be the best way to reach that because you have to be 20 to qualify for the special forces.
I think you need to put a bit more research into your decision. Why do you want to be a ranger? Seen a couple movies? I am 19 and on my way to SFAS. The road is hard, its not something to choose to take on because you're "bored". You have to want it.
I've been thinking about this for almost a year and I have researched. Unfortunately you can research all you want and not find the right answers online for such things as Rangers and Special Forces. Only someone that has gone through it or in the process will know all of the details. Yes I'm bored of school and need a change of scenery and environment but that doesnt mean that I think this is just something to do to pass time and have a little more excitement in my life. I'm not writing posts to explain my life I'm looking for information to help me decide my future. I don't need people telling me that it isn't for me or maybe you should re-think or do some more research. My grandfather was able to wear a green beret and he has told me all of his experiences. I know it's a lot different from World War 2 to now, but the mentality is still the same and I know what I want to do. You were once in my position and most likely had to deal with similiar situations. I would appreciate if everyone could spare me posts such as this with all due respect. I'm not trying to be rude and I have respect for anyone that serves our country but I don't need people questioning my reasons or trying to demote me to an idiotic civilian that doesnt know anything or what he's in for. I'm looking for information to assist me from people that have been there and are willing to give advice to help someone out.
Sounds like you already know what you want to be. Airborne Ranger Infantry. You're just here looking for validation. Don't pay any attention to "19 and on my way to SFAS." Being bored is a fantastic reason to join the army, and a great reason to skip the big army in favor of Spec Ops.
Originally posted by woozy: Being bored is a fantastic reason to... skip the big army in favor of Spec Ops.
Sorry but no, it's not. I've got 27 years in service, 19 in SOF. The last guy I want on my team is a bored teenager who has no idea what it means to be a soldier or to take orders.
To be an unconventional soldier you have to first know what it means to be conventional.
Everyone is arguing with each other...I'm just looking for some inside information and if it makes anyone feel better; I am bored with school and want some excitment but those are not the reasons for me wanting to become a Ranger or Special Forces. As far as taking orders, I am a captain of my football team and as much as people say that doesnt relate to the army, I got here by busting my *** more than anyone else, listening to my coaches, and being coachable. I'm still looking for any insight if anyone has something to contribute to my post not what everyone is changing the discussion to. If not I thank everyone for what information they have given me already.
Sorry for squawking about unrelated things. It's easy on the internet to confuse word meanings.
You seem to have the right ideas already in mind. Enlist for Rangers (Option 40) or some other decent combat unit (82nd, 101st, 10th, etc...). Do a tour with the "real army" and see if you like it or not. Worse case - you have some stories to tell when you are old and grey. If it agrees with you then sign up for SFAS going into your second tour. Good luck and remember - it's a marathon not a sprint.
P.S. the footbal team is perfect pre-training for dealing with military structure. Sometimes you're giving orders and sometimes your'e getting orders. Know your place (of the moment) and do the best that you can.
