What are a few things that I want to join the Rangers?

[Aaron S]

Ok I'm still in High School but I'm joining the Army right after High School is over and I have always wanted to join the Army Rangers since I was like 11. So I was wondering if there was anything(s) I could do to prepare myself for the Rangers?
Thank you for your time,
Aaron

[TFRANGERMEMBER]

Become used to not having any hair on the sides of your head (the first sun burn is always the worst)...and oh yeah..run.

RLTW

[Aaron S]

Well I do have my older brother shave my head so I would get used to it and I do a lot of running while playing paintball. Thanks for the info TFRANGERMEMBER.

[Travis Arnold]

Me thinks perhaps he is mocking you TFRANGERMEMBER. . . J/K, he would sooner jump off a cliff than mock a Ranger. Trust me, I know him.


[This message has been edited by Travis Arnold (edited 05-16-2000).]

[Swat1]

You do alot of running while playing paintball!!!....HAHAHAHAHAHA...Kid, you have no idea what you are getting into if you are comparing running in paintball to running in Batt. While I was stationed at Ft. Lewis I would see the Batt Boys running all the time...and running...and running...with flak vests and LBE's...and running...and running...in boots...and running...and running...I would say the paintball workout would allow you to last the first ten feet.

[Dark Helmet]

Here's some stats to consider on your chances of making it....my jump school class started 535 and graduated about 400. It was pathetic attrition, as jump school is a cake walk. From there, 64 of us went to RIP (Ranger Indictination Program). We were down to about 25 in three days. of the 25 that made it past day four, 14 graduated. Of the 14, 6 went to 1/75, yours truly included. Don't know what happened to the other eight dudes. Of the six that went to 1/75, two washed in within a month - couldn't hang for whatever reason; one was because he couldn't ruck (I know this for sure, unsure about the other guy). Four of us "made it" to a shot at hooah school. Three graduated (one guy - not me - LOM'd; the kiss of death in the 75th RGT).

Remember, the 64 first-day RIPpees were all "I got a Ranger contract" types, and 50 of them went to the 82nd or some LRRSU unit.

You do the math.

Not saying that it cannot be done; just illustrating that the black beret is STILL EARNED - not just awarded to you because some recruiter jumped through a couple hoops to get you a contract.

And paintball? You gotta be kidding......this is not only a different game, but an entirely different league......

[Dark Helmet]

Originally posted by TackDaBoat:
Here's some stats to consider on your chances of making it....my jump school class started 535 and graduated about 400. It was pathetic attrition, as jump school is a cake walk. From there, 64 of us went to RIP (Ranger Indictination Program). We were down to about 25 in three days. Of the 25 that made it past day four, 14 graduated. Of the 14, 6 went to 1/75, yours truly included. Don't know what happened to the other eight dudes. Of the six that went to 1/75, two washed in within a month - couldn't hang for whatever reason; one was because he couldn't ruck (I know this for sure, unsure about the other guy). Four of us "made it" to a shot at hooah school. Three graduated (one guy - not me - LOM'd; the kiss of death in the 75th RGT).

Remember, the 64 first-day RIPpees were all "I got a Ranger contract" types, and 50 of them went to the 82nd or some LRRSU unit.

You do the math.

Not saying that it cannot be done; just illustrating that the black beret is STILL EARNED - not just awarded to you because some recruiter jumped through a couple hoops to get you a contract.

And paintball? You gotta be kidding......this is not only a different game, but an entirely different league......

[Dark Helmet]

Sorry about the double-post, folks. My bad.

[Travis Arnold]

Yes yes tell him! Paintball is s*** compared to real combat in the military! Tell him he needs to run a few miles a day! Tell him that he needs to do pushups, situps, pullups, etc! I'm afraid my words heed no effect on him . . .after all, I'm his age. http://www.specialoperations.com/ubboard/frown.gif

[Guardin2k]

Ahh yes, reminds me of a time that a co-worker of mine and I were working at the local restaurant and he was telling me how to prepare for the Army. He was talking about his LRSU unit in the 82nd and some upstart 15-year-old comes along and says something along the lines of, "So what? I could beat your ass at paintball, you pussy." (Excuse the language). The guy was luaghing so hard he didn't even respond.

25 Days till Ship, hooah! http://www.specialoperations.com/ubboard/smile.gif

[Aaron S]

Well all of you said that I said paintball is like combat I just said I run alot while playing it. And you all said I don't know what it is like to run in a Flak vest well I got news for all you out there I have a Flak Vest and I do run in it and let me tell u its not that hard and you may say that I won't make it because I don't know what it is like well I know for sure that I will make it because if you think you can make it then you more then likely will. So say what u will but all I can say is that even if I don't make it I would have given it my all. So I know more then likely some more of you will accuse me of thinking paintball is like combat which I never said because I know the differnce between combat and paintball so that's all I have to say.

[Travis Arnold]

Looks like some teenager laid it out . . . well then, I guess perhaps he DOES know the difference. Who woulda thunk it? And I wasn't implying you don't know the difference, I'm saying that someone who knows should state the difference . . . oh and by the way, he does have a flak vest, one of the old heavy ones. And he has ran in it, so I guess it ain't that bad now . . .

[This message has been edited by Travis Arnold (edited 05-17-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Travis Arnold (edited 05-17-2000).]

[Whammer]

My dad can beat up your dad, so there!

[Travis Arnold]

What the hell is everyone's problem? He asked what he should be doing to prepare for the Ranger's and all he gets is a buncha dick heads telling him he doesn't know what war is really like. So what if he plays paintball? He knows the difference between battle, he's not fucking stupid, unlike some of the self important little weenies here. From now on, if you've nothing to say that will help a future Ranger out, keep your mouth's shut, eh?

[Aaron S]

Well excuse me for not puting punctions in my damn post! I was in a hurry and pissed that all you guys are always yelling at Teenagers who just want to get information so they can serve thier country and you guys are always saying or indicating that we are dumb and don't know anything about Special Operations. Well maybe I don't know as much as you all do but why can't you help us?And to the post "My dad can beat up your dad!" well I'd hope so my dad is a 40 year old Minister who has arthritis so I damn well hope your dad can beat up my dad.

[Whammer]

Settle down Beavis...

Which one of you is Master and which one is Blaster? You both should think of taking your gig on the road.

One of the first things you will have to do to join the Army let alone the Rangers, is learn how to deal with adversity, which will include people baiting you into throwing a fit. You have to learn to keep your cool and learn not to take things personally above all.

With that said, of course you don't want to be mocked, and everyone here knows it.

There is plenty of good information on this site. There are also a lot of high school age kids looking for info like yourselves. Take a minute and search through the myriad of posts already here. You will most assuredly find the answer to a lot of your questions. I still find good information from those that have been there and done it. Everyone knows your eager, just try not to be so short-fused to get yourself into a pissing contest.

The soldiers that a lot of the Senior guys will want to train are those that are willing to listen first. Try and gleen as much as you can and get some tread under your boots before you try to draw an association between paintball and a Ranger Bn. It makes you seem less than serious.

di

[Aaron S]

Originally posted by Whammer


Try and gleen as much as you can and get some tread under your boots before you try to draw an association between paintball and a Ranger Bn. It makes you seem less than serious.

di[/B]
You do realize that I never ever once compared the Rangers and Paintball so where the hell did you get that from I merly said I did some running while playing paintball and everyone starts saying that I'm comparing that to the Rangers well....No I never did say anything like that so read all the damn post before running your damn mouth!And one other thing where did all of you all get that I was comparing paintball to battle?

[WS-G]

Aaron S:

First off, just a small tip WRT the tongue-in-cheek comments by Whammer: he's giving you some good advice about the importance of (a) paying attention, and (b) not taking yourself too seriously. I'd like to go a bit further on this last point by suggesting that being able to take a joke at your own expense will help you immensely.

Now, let's get on with it and get some of the preparatory information you seek sorted out.

On the physical side of things, you need to get yourself down to the surplus store and get yourself a rucksack. I strongly recommend a gov't. issue ALICE Large (which requires the LC-2 frame) or an ALICE Medium (which may be used either with or without the frame). This is the same type of ruck you'll be using, so it would behoove you to get used to this particular design. Likewise, they're quite durable and reasonably priced. Gradually condition yourself to walking long distances with one of these on your back, because this will be one of the biggest parts of your life "on the sharp end", whether as a Ranger, SF'er, LRS soldier or conventional grunt. Also get used to doing lots of long-distance running. Do multiple sets of pushups, situps, knee-benders (squats), flutterkicks and pull-ups. Finally, get your cyber-backside over to http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/6682/handbook1.htm and http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/6682/handbook2.htm , read carefully, and print yourself a hard copy! You should study this material religiously and follow the PT program!

Mentally, you need to stay in the habit of never giving up at anything you've made up your mind to do. Stay in school (old cliche, I know!), stay out of trouble, and get in the habit of always making it a point to learn something each day that you didn't know before.

Good luck in your efforts.


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

[TANGOisinKOREA]

Aaron

How did you get the email address ranger@specialoperations.com when you are no where close to being a ranger?

Chas
3/75
90-93

[Aaron S]

Thank you William for finally answering my question. And Tango I got it because I was one of the first to sign up at the SOC email so I picked it because I like the Rangers.

[Crow]

Ok as a teen myself i have some say in this. Aron i would prly yell at you too if i was them for saying running in paintball equals the running you will do in the military. i myself play paintball but i dont go around saying that because i run in paintball i will do just fine and dandy in ranger school. because i know better. and thats why i joined track team, and i still wont say just because i run in track that i will do fine in rnager school cause in rangers you will have combat boots and full gear on, while on track team i got shoes and shorts on. big difference there

and what are you doing with a flak vest? if you need one to play paintball you might want to rethink rangers cause your going to get knocked around and alot more in ranger school(this info comes from my dad) and you aint going to have no damn flak vest to protect you.

now as i said i am 15 myself and i have come her to ask for info, and none of these guys act like "dick heads" to my threads, but then again i dont go aorund saying im going to be a ranger for sure because i play paintball.

soo there.

ohh and Whammer my dad can beat up your dad so there http://www.specialoperations.com/ubboard/smile.gif

[TFRANGERMEMBER]

I can remember thousands of times that we would practice an airfield seizure w/ paintball guns. Am I the only one?

RLTW

[Daredevil]

I live right by Quantico and I've seen the FBI guys practicing in their Hogan's Alley street with some Paintball guns. These were like jacked paintball guns though. They looked like M4's.

Hey Aaron, I know you didn't say paintball was like war or being a Ranger but I will say this. I've played paintball several times and I'm a runner. The running you do in paintball tends to be for short quick distances. You really need to get out and start cranking out some miles. I mean running like 30 - 45 minutes nonstop. Paintball can give you a workout but you really need to develop a strong running base. You also need to know how well you do when you start getting tired and bored at the same time (like long running tends to do to you) and get used to pushing yourself to keep going.

[Whammer]

LOL hard Crow!!!