30+ year old newbies go for Ranger... How many are out there?? [Archive] - SOCNET: The Special Operations Community Network

Dock

26 April 2000, 10:42

I just was wondering how many 30 year old men out there take the challenge to become a Ranger... I am 31 and enlisting with a Ranger contract by this fall.. This forum is excellent, and full of info that has helped my focus only increase... I understand the mind set, and the body shape that is required for this honorable job. I am very exited, and have had this passion for a very long time. I look forward to hearing from Rangers past and present that have any info I should know...

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Doc

A 31 year old future Ranger... :))

Guardin2k

26 April 2000, 12:59

Just out of curiosity, if you have had this passion for a long time, what have you been doing the past 13 years?

Whammer

26 April 2000, 13:04

He thought he should go out and get a job and follow all the other "socially acceptable" pursuits...
...like the rest of us late bloomers.

Michael Robertson Moore

26 April 2000, 13:35

I know there are a lot of people on this forum to whom 31 seems ancient. But consider: the average age of guys going into SFOD-D is (according to Douglas Waller) 31. Granted, these are probably the toughest, fittest guys in the army, but I don't suppose they're tougher or fitter than they were at 21. They may have peaked. Nonetheless the army seems to think they can give another five or ten years. And with good reason, I'm sure. Consider also that most of these guys have been doing some heavy rucking for 10+ years, with the damage to back and knees that go along with it. On the other hand, a 31 year old who stays fit but hasn't beat up his body can probably perform pretty effectively until he's pushing forty. He may be pretty banged up at that point, but such is the infantryman's lot. You MAY be going downhill after 30, but it doesn't mean the hill is steep.

TANGOisinKOREA

26 April 2000, 13:48

We had 2 thirty something year old go thru my RIP calss in Dec 90. One was the nicest guy but he fell out of two many runs and got sent to Panama. The other guy was actually a former Ranger who was in Grenada so he already had a tab and combat patch but still had to go thru RIP since he came back in as a Private.

Chas

TANGOisinKOREA

26 April 2000, 14:26

Also

If It makes you feel better I am a 28 year old(I know thats old) ex-ranger and am now training myself to attend the PJ indoc course in OCT. Ive been told its one of the hardest courses in the service hands down. So its been tough getting into the required shape.So hang tough and youll make it.

Chas

Ben L

26 April 2000, 16:54

Way to go Doc!
I think that it's great that you're going for it. I have been researching the Army and the Navy. I want to do something exciting... this desk jockey position is killing me. I'm only 27...but I have year left on a degree in communications, and hope to join right after. I've looked at Navy EOD and Army Rangers then maybe SF. Who knows what will happen.
Good luck!!!

Dock

26 April 2000, 17:40

To answer Guardin2k's question.. Whammer is correct in that I have been doing the socially acceptable type life style. International Sales has been my life for the last 8 years... Married and 2 daughters has also been a factor for me. But, wife is only 24, and decided to jump ship... lol.. Women..... Can live with em, and you can't kill em.. First daughter is with her mother a different one.. haha, funny ah.., and my second daughter is with my soon to be X... So, therefore I am going to follow my passion and become a Ranger.. I hate my desk, and look forward to living in the woods getting rained on, busting my ass everyday... It will be great to look up into the sky and smile because I am finally living for a real purpose.. My daughters believe it is a honor to have a father protecting them while they sleep in peace at night knowing I am out there guarding their freedom. I will feel great honor knowing I am protecting my daughters, and the people of the United States of America.. There is no greater honor then being a Ranger.... leading the way, and continueing my daughters freedom, and their peaceful sleep.. http://www.specialoperations.com/ubboard/smile.gif)

Sorry to be so winded here, just couldn't help myself...

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Doc

A 31 year old future Ranger... :))

Whammer

26 April 2000, 18:08

Everyone, this is Doc. He wants to be HOOAH...

All in corus "HI DOC!"

Welcome to the convent! Don't worry there aren't plenty of us in here in your shoes. Most just lucky enough that we finally realized there aren't any "do overs" with life and you might as well chase whatever it is that gets your sphincter tight while you can...

Keep up the good attitude. Its is infectious!
For encouragement: I just spoke with a buddy last month who made it through SFAS at age 34. We went through Basic together when he was 31...

di

PS "Women. Can't live with them; Pass the beernuts..."

Guardin2k

1 May 2000, 12:38

Doc:
Good deal, I see you feel the same way I do minus the women and the kids. I am just glad I am getting a shot at all of this while I'm still too young to drink legally (18), and hopefully by the time I get to where you are in life I will have gotten fairly far.
Hooah!

WS-G

1 May 2000, 13:44

30 is neither "old" nor "middle-aged".

It's also worth reiterating that the "31" figure for SFOD-D is a mean age. By the time a soldier gains the necessary experience even to be considered for that unit, he's in his late twenties at the earliest. This clearly indicates that there are operators with SFOD-D who are considerably older.

"Deterioration" does not automatically set in during the 30's either; as a LRRP, I personally served under NCOs who were well into their late 40's, even early to mid fifties who could run some of the late-teens/early-20's types into the dust.

My own Patrol Leader was in his mid-40's and one of the fittest men in the company. He was already 35 years old when he first enlisted in the 36th Airborne Brigade in the mid-1970's, and could still max an APRT IAW the 17-21 standards. As a footnote, this guy had played football for the University of Texas back in the early 1960's, continued to coach football, basketball and wrestling (he was a schoolteacher in civilian life) and would have considered his day to be seriously disrupted if he missed out on PT. I had a Platoon Sergeant that was almost a decade older than him who was still equally fit.

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ex Co. G (-)(Abn/Rgr), 143d INF(LRRP), TXARNG 1981-1985
ex 433MAW (AFRES), 1985-1991
FAA-certificated pilot and Advanced Ground Instructor

Mike

1 May 2000, 14:34

36th Airborne Brigade?? Is that National Guard or Regular Army?

WS-G

1 May 2000, 16:50

36th Airborne Brigade was deactivated in 1980. Like the 36th Infantry Division before it, that unit was part of the Texas Army National Guard.

Check out http://www.geocities.com/~143g/ and http://www.ghg.net/burtond/36th/36infcov.html for some good historical information on the 36th. If you know anyone with back-issues of Soldier of Fortune, a good article about the Brigade appeared in the April 1980 issue.

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ex Co. G (-)(Abn/Rgr), 143d INF(LRRP), TXARNG 1981-1985
ex 433MAW (AFRES), 1985-1991
FAA-certificated pilot and Advanced Ground Instructor

Mike

2 May 2000, 12:26

Thanks. Found a mention at http://www.qmfound.com/rigger_units.htm

RAT

2 May 2000, 21:50

William M. Slater,
I belive this teacher was an All American in Track and Field (400 hurdles) he just played football for them. If this is the same teacher. He was an excllent History teacher.
RAT OUT!!!

WS-G

3 May 2000, 12:28

RAT:

If you're thinking of Rex Wilson, then they'd be one and the same. He was a damned fine Patrol Leader as well.

BTW... if we are thinking of the same PL, I was his Senior Radio Operator (SRO) for just over two years.

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ex Co. G (-)(Abn/Rgr), 143d INF(LRRP), TXARNG 1981-1985
ex 433MAW (AFRES), 1985-1991
FAA-certificated pilot and Advanced Ground Instructor

[This message has been edited by William M Salter (edited 05-03-2000).]

Sharky

3 May 2000, 16:41

If you think the 30's are old and sliding downhill then you never met CSM Leon-Guerrero.

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F.I.D.O.

RAT

4 May 2000, 23:26

That is the one. He was my coach in football, basketball and track. At Spring Branch Jr High. He is one of the ones who taught me how to pole vault with the old steel poles.
Great man.
RAT OUT!!!

Dark Helmet

7 May 2000, 00:25

Hey Doc-

Tipping my beret in your general direction. Your situation reminds me of a bud of mine, goes by M4Colt@aol. He'll post out here on occassion....

He and I were Ranger buddies in RGR class 13-87, which graduated 22OCT87. We were both big, strong, hardcore 19-year olds at the time. He was 3rd Batt, I was 1st. Both did our time and got out in 89. I went the college/corporate route; he got married and was a dive instructor for a while. Went back in last year at 31. Had to (get this) go through OSUT with his tab and all....is now at RTB waiting for the next wave of SFOD-D selection......and loving every minute of it.

I flew through Atlanta last month on business and spent a day with him. He's in great shape and showing up the youngsters on a daily basis.

Moral: it can be done. Good luck.

realpolypro

7 May 2000, 00:53

Aw shucks!.... Seriously folks, kudos from my VERY squared away buddy aside, here's the deal. 31 is not "old". While it may not come as easy as it did, and may take longer to attain, peak condition will come with training. With today's advances in supplementation, its even a little easier. Hell, I'm not even there "yet". My biggest drop off was with running. Agree with it or not, the Army loves it's running. While I'd rather look and perform like Ben Johnson the sprinter, the Army wants you to emulate the Kenyan that just won Boston. (Think he can Ruck?):-) Buy a good running book and train for 2, 5, and 10 milers. After that, train for muscular endurance for the push-up, and sit-up. Strength for the pull-up. These guys are some animals, but it's fun being the "old" guy. I could do without the "Old crusty bastard" nickname though:-) Hey Tack, still working on the Emerson deal.
Polypro

Dock

8 May 2000, 15:50

TackDaBoat,

Excellent to hear, and thank you for the info...

Doc

WS-G

10 May 2000, 09:10

RAT:

I'd consider you a very fortunate individual to have had SFC Wilson as a coach and history teacher (which years did you go to Spring Branch, if you don't mind my asking?). I haven't seen him since I left the 143d back in '85; do you know if he's still alive?

realpolypro:

IMO, re: ...the Army wants you to emulate the Kenyan that just won Boston. (Think he can Ruck?)...I'd venture that maybe he can. Though there's only one sure way to find out! http://www.specialoperations.com/ubboard/eek.gif

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ex Co. G (-)(Abn/Rgr), 143d INF(LRRP), TXARNG 1981-1985
ex 433MAW (AFRES), 1985-1991
FAA-certificated pilot and Advanced Ground Instructor

RAT

10 May 2000, 15:11

Mr. Slater

I am going to e-mail you so I won't take up anymore room on this board.

Semper FI
RAT OUT!!!

jds

11 May 2000, 19:55

Polypro,
how did you get an RTB assignment upon going back active duty?

Robbie Henderson

11 May 2000, 20:52

Rangers are not all that great. http://www.specialoperations.com/ubboard/biggrin.gif

GMG1 Robbie Henderson
SEAL Team One
NAVSPECWARGRU-ONE
Quarterdeck # 619-437-3283

Fred

11 May 2000, 21:28

An alert to this forum. Robbie Henderson is a Phony, - no surprise here.

[This message has been edited by Fred (edited 05-11-2000).]

Robbie Henderson

11 May 2000, 23:59

Senior Chief Kent Dillingham of the Hall of Shame is gonna check this guy (Fred) out. Our guess is that this guy is a real phony.

Robbie Henderson
SEAL Team One

TFRANGERMEMBER

12 May 2000, 00:17

All I know is this "Tackdaboat" guy is nothing more than some REMF rich man. Prolly owns a huge Dog, has a hot wife and two kids. And his buddy Polypro...what a joke. Prolly his gay lover. And we all know about Tack's affair w/ a former Redleg named Pat http://www.specialoperations.com/ubboard/wink.gif. I think that the world would be a better place if we eliminated these posers from these damned boards!!!

Ok that may be harse and I'm sorry Tack, but you have left me high and dry these past few days. Have a good one buddy. For the record Tack is kinda of a smart guy, and kind of big and was a Ranger..but has got nothing on me!

RLTW

http://www.specialoperations.com/ubboard/wink.gif