Best route to Ranger/SF

[ArsenalUSA]

I'm very new to this forum and I'm sure this has been answered before, but, what is the best route to Ranger then SF and what is the time frame (usually) from basic training to each? I am 29, barely married with two kids. My wife wants me to join the Army for a desk job but my heart has always been with SF. If anyone has any good advice please feel free. Thanks.

[SOTICgrad]

Quite the predicament Arsenal. It'd be easy if you were single. A little younger might help, but that just means you need to want it enough. Gonna be very hard on your family if you wanna go these routes. But.....

As far as Ranger, here's some thoughts. Simply enlist with the "Airborne/Ranger Option" on your contract. This can be guaranteed up front, but the moment you fail to meet a standard the deal is off and they own you. I'd say Infantry or Medic as an MOS, but that's because I'm not sure on others (I was a grunt and not in Bn). If you pass all the training (ie. Basic/Ait, Airborne, RIP) you're sent to a BN. Not sure if any one Bn is better than the other, in terms of going SF later.
Another Hooah life to lead is being in a LRSU/LRSD. Harder to guarantee, but in my book a bit more unconventional, bit more like the Bn's of 20 years ago. Here's a way in that I've seen work, via one of my former Boy Scouts. You enlist with the "Airborne Option." Probably need to go Infantry for this one. Also on the contract you get an assignment guarantee. I'd reccomend Ft. Bragg. Once you finish your Airborne training you'll probably have a few days or more to report, and it will be to the 82nd Replacement. Go to Bragg early and walk over to the 82nd LRSD, which is actually with the 313th MI, it's right across from replacement. Do this BEFORE you sign in and ask to see the 1st Sgt. Tell him you wanna be Hooah, be STRAC, and make sure you've studied the Ranger handbook. KNOW a 5 paragraph operation order. Chances are they'll give you a slot, then you report to replacement.
From either of these units you can apply for SF when you meet the requirements that are in place at the time.

As far as how long....This is dependant on you. It is possible for one to get there in as little as 2-3 years, but difficult. If you are squared away, do well in your unit, and make rank fast, then off you go. Just depends on how long you take to meet the requirements.

Again, going this route is gonna be really rough on a family. You'll be gone alot and in training for extended periods. Hope this helps.

[sfgb]

Maybe this will help you out. Either way you go just remember one thing. Which is more important to you,your family or your possible future career in the military.Once you figure that out and you do go the distance you won't see your family much.The most important thing to have for such an undertaking as far as I'm concerned is a strong mind stronger than life itself.The most positive attitude attitude you can have.You will have to block it all out including your family. Get all the experiance you can prior to , spend some time in an infantry unit, or the Rangers.Educate your self, start thinking about learning a new language or two, and don't forgat the physical conditioning.Block out all fear, use your head.It's not like the movies, it's real and takes an extreme amount of discipline and dedication. A belief in God will also carry you through when it all go's bad. Research it, talk it over with your family, and seriously think it over. It's not all peaches and cream!

[crazy ivan]

well, i just joined the army and specified, at MEPS, that i wanted special forces. apparently i qualified and all, which i guess is the first step. they set me up with a path that they said is pretty quick:

because of high GT score, they gave me two options: 31R (communications), or 18F (or whatever infantry was). they suggest 31R was the quickest, so i went with it. they said the reason being was because there was a need for communications sergeants in SF, and showed me you didn't have to be a sergeant to volunteer for SF in that particular job, again, because of a need. they actually said i'll go ranger BEFORE SF, though i thought it'd be the other way around, but hey, i suppose they know their shit. and that chances are i'll volunteer straight after airborne school.

anyway, i haven't started that training, yet, and i'm still a while off (not even in basic yet...don't i seem awfully ambitious http://www.specialoperations.com/ubboard/smile.gif but this is what they said would be the quickest path. maybe it's a bit naive to believe it could be so quick (not saying easy), but if you have the drive, why would they stop you?

so, i suppose the point is that, according to the needs of the army, the quickest way is through communications and medical (this is what i was told by a few sources, so i'll believe it). but even i know it helps if you're single, dude...i thought there was even a restriction on married men because of the threat of combat...am i wrong?

[E19]

Ivan,

If your post isn't a put-on, then your handle fits. I can see that you never learned to "Look Before You Leap". Sounds like the recruiter got you hook line and sinker. When you have a few bucks in your pocket look me up. I have a bridge for sale in Brooklyn!

[static]

just to let you know.....they did get you. i was on active duty for 4 years as a 31r and while i was there, they had a freeze on "r"'s for SFAS and ranger school wouldn't allow "r"'s in. they really did screw you kid. i went commo before i knew any other way mainly because i wanted a skill after the military. i have that job and i am bored to death at this desk. i am now assigned to the nqp group with 19th SFG(A) in wv and i must say it is a lot better than being stuck in a "r" slot. romeo is a good job if you want to spend time with your family but it's not rewarding in any way. i was a "r" on jump status for 4 years at bragg and the most fun was hooking up with friends from group and lrsc and doing paintball at smith lake. if u haven't reported to ship out yet, call the recruiters on it and look into it to see if u can do something about getting your contract straightened out. they don't own you yet.

[Whammer]

I would be getting my happy butt back down to the recuiter's office, grabbing that contract and going over it with someone who has no vested interest in putting you into the army and have them help define what is in your contract to you and see if what you want is in fact what you got...

Then, once you find out what is missing, you stand in there face and say, I ain't movin' til I get X, period. Don't let them slip anything by you.

PS-- Welcome to the Army

[crazy ivan]

probably was stupid, naive. i admit. maybe i could switch to infantry. that's what i wanted to do at the beginning, but where do you with that after you leave the army?

welcome to the army...heh...didn't have much a choice in the matter.

[Door Kicker]

Ivan,
do yourself a favor and go back to the recruiter and demand airborne/ranger in your contract, any MOS, just make sure you get those two words. after some time at Ranger BN you can put in for SFAS, but you will most likely be having the time of your life and will forget about that for awhile!
Comming "off the block" (city block) and directly to SF is not the most desirable and I think since the Rep63 program is gone, is impossible.
Good Luck,
Door Kicker

[WS-G]

crazy ivan:

The only 31-series MOS you should even consider taking if a Ranger Battalion, LRSU or SF are what you want is...

read this carefully...

31C (Single-Channel Communications Specialist) !

This is the only commo MOS that'll get you into a Batt rifle/weapons platoon, or onto a Patrol with an LRSU. Do not let them stick you with any other communications MOS unless you want to spend the major portion of your career in a Signal Batalion!

However, if you really and truly want to be a "shooter", then any of the 11-series MOS's (Infantryman) are your best bet.

Whatever you decide on as far as your MOS is concerned, make very certain that you get "Ranger Option" included --- in writing --- in your enlistment contract!

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

[SOTICgrad]

Damn...they did get you, I'm sorry to have to agree with the masses. If you already raised your hand, you're kinda screwed now. If not, there's hope.

As far as going SF off the block. Not currently possible. They have eased up though and you can be E-4 and you DO NOT have to have PLDC. If you make it through SFAS and are selected, you unit will be instructed to send you thru PLDC. My understanding is that they have no choice, but I'm not sure on that.

The closest to going off the block is to go through the Nat'l Guard NQP program. You used to be able to do that and then you could volunteer for AD. I think it still works that way.

[PTFreak]

Originally posted by crazy ivan:
probably was stupid, naive. i admit. maybe i could switch to infantry. that's what i wanted to do at the beginning, but where do you with that after you leave the army?

welcome to the army...heh...didn't have much a choice in the matter.

Ivan, you dont have to ship out. Just cause you went to MEPS and enlisted and all does not mean you have to go. Just tell your recruiters you found out they screwed you and lied to you. Tell them you are not going to ship out when your date comes and tell them to F off. You can also call your Congressman and tell them your recruiter lied to you. Also, you can tell your high school guidance counselor about your being lied and misled by the recruiter and they will nearly always back you up.

When the time comes to ship out, if you feel your contract is not anything near what you wanted, all you gotta do is not show up. Disappear and go on a vacation for two weeks during shipout week. They cant do a damn thing to you except get really mad but hey, who cares if they get mad? They lied to you so they deserve it.

Let the last laugh be on your dickhead recruiter who was dishonest with you.

[jmbjs]

Crazy Ivan,
You have been snowballed....read the posts here and take some good advice....I myself told the recruiter (in 1987), after I had signed up at the MEPS, that I would not ship out until I got what I originally wanted to sign up for....He had talked me into signing up E.O.D. at the last minute at the MEPS. I wanted to come in as a 19D (Cav Scout). I started getting the A** the more I thought about it...then went in about three days later and told him to get bent...In short, I told him he could stick it if he did not bring me back down to the MEPS and get me a 19D contract....When we went down there again, a slot mysteriously appeared...Do not let them Bull**** you...If you have to, have somebody go with you...I would suggest you do it yourself though, you better start growing some nads if you wanta go infantry...Going to your congressman and/or high school counseler is an option, but grow the nads to take care of the problem yourself. You are about to go into something that will change your life, the way you look at things and will definetly make you more aware of the world around you...so take the bull by the horns and control your destiny, dont let a recruiter that is obviously not interested in your best interest control what you do for the next few years of your life...Good luck...

[crazy ivan]

how embarrassing
...anyway, maybe you can understand my conflict when i get different answers here than i get outside...yes from people who aren't interested in putting me in the army, either.
and it's really not like i just dove right in...my dad was, and a few guys he worked with...however, there was a consensus...basically: don't trust recruiters.

[realpolypro]

Ivan, Door Kicker was right, repeat after us...Airborne/Ranger Contract...pick an MOS you would like (11, 13, 31, 91...these are the main MOS's at Regiment, 11 being the most common). Upon entering SF, you can choose something different...Weapons, Engineer, Commo, Medical, etc... You're looking at about 6 months of Basic, AIT, Airborne, and RIP. Then 3 years at Regiment with Ranger and other schools available. After that once you're at least an E-4, you go SFAS then the "Q". Print this thread and take it to your recruiter.

Polypro

[E19]

Ivan,

While your Dad and his buddies were well meaning they didn't know what is currently
available. The guys here know what they are talking about. Good Luck

[crazy ivan]

i'm not disbelieving anyone here

before i do anything, i wanna know why 31R is an unpopular choice here..
what's up with it?
i mean, i got airborne on the contract, and then it says training of choice, unit of assignment uncommitted..
i don't know..i assumed that meant it was up to me after ait where i want to go

[Sharky]

"I assumed" http://www.specialoperations.com/ubboard/smile.gif Heh-Heh You have much to learn grasshopper........

------------------
F.I.D.O.

[Door Kicker]

That means that it is up to the need of the Army my friend.
Door Kicker