Ranger School

[Cree Warrior]

There are 5 slots open for reg force and RESERVISTS on the Jan 29th Ranger School Crse.
Although nominations had to be submitted by Dec 7th.
Guess when we got notified?...Dec 5th...
candidates have to complete US PT Test, physical etc.
Nice Timing.

Sua Sponte

[justagrunt]

That gives new meaning to...

Adapt, overcome, & improvise!!!

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

Take it if you can get it... You'll never regret it!!!!!!!!!


------------------
Up, Up and Away...

[garett]

Well thats one reason for me to drop out of school. Probably going to have trouble finding reservists that can pass a PT test.

[justagrunt]

There will always be time for college...

Reservist or active duty... There is only ONE standard! If a reservist is going to put on the uniform he needs to pass the PT test, Period. Guy's in the reserves in the states have been using that as a cop-out for years and I will never except it.

Go for it man, you can do it!

------------------
Up, Up and Away...

[Reverend B]

Yup. That is what I have heard also, Cree. Not the five slot thing, just that the course was being run. It seems that I am told almost every year. It is easy to hold the carrot out, but not to give it up. The Reserves are the lowest in the food-chain, and the course, as I understand, costs a fair bit, so I think that it is unlikely that a reservist would be sent. Does anyone know when the last time a reservist was on the course?

And to you Garrett, if reservists start to do PT on their own, then by the 29th, they shouldn't have any problem getting in. There are 'Ranger Test' stuff on the 'net, you just have to look for them to find the requirements. They are not super-hard if you give yourself adaquate time to prep for them.

[Enfield]

My unit got the same offer. But, as one guy pointed out, Canada has never sent a soldier to the Ranger Course who did not already have the Pathfinder Course (hence we always do well)... I doubt a Reservist will be sent. Too many Reg Force in line before us.

Sorry Garrett, it's for MCpl/Sgt/Lt/Capt only.. Nobody from my unit volunteered, unfortunatley.

Enfield

[TonyM]

I looked into the Ranger course eligbility as a reservist a while back. Up to 1998, no CF reservist had done it. How do I know this? Listen, dear reader to my tale of woe, and take note:
A couple of years ago, I was talking to a friend in Ft Lewis about our sad state of training, courses, etc. He suggested I contact Ft Benning's 4th RTB (Ranger Training Brigade). I did, even got to talk to the CO (Capt ??), the MSgt put me through when I told him I was a Canadain Forces Reservist and was inquiring about training. The Ranger course was out, all spots filled for the next year min, with a long list of alternates, but the good Capt told me how the US Army wanted to cancel the Long Range Surviellance course (Reserve Component) due to LACK OF INTEREST by the NG. Yup, you heard that right. In 1997, 2 out of 3 courses were cancelled because, NOBODY SHOWED UP. When I asked about getting on the course, he confirmed my eligibility and was most helpful, sent me all the required forms, waivers (I wasn't jump qualified or a Sgt.), POC and documents. I submitted all this up my chain-of-command with a memo stating I would repay EVERY PENNY if it cost them anything. I arranged medical, life and disability insurance for myself, ammo and weapons, food and quarters and transportation. Man, did the shit hit the fan, I was called up in front of my Plt Cmdr, then Coy Cmdr then to explain my actions. I put forth the whole scheme, made it clear that these skills would be applicable (recce), we could send more people, start an alliance with the RTB, make it a competition (wow, something to aim for!)etc. Although some people were agreeable and did indeed back me (thanks guys, you know who you are if you're reading this) , I was viewed as something of a renegage and loose cannon that needed winding in. Nothing happened, I never did get an answer, nobody ever went (that I know of). As far as I know, the LRS(RC) course has been cut back to one per year. Morale of my little story, if the were serious about sending a reservist on the Ranger course, we'd of known it far in advance. Remember the Nijmegen March? Not saying it's impossible, but very unlikely.

[Enfield]

I think I'm going to cry...
High-speed, USEFUL (LRS would be more useful to a Militia unit than a few Airborne qual guys) courses sitting empty just over the border...

Maybe that should be posted over on LFRR?

Enfield

[This message has been edited by Enfield (edited 12-07-2000).]

[Cree Warrior]

Tony, I think you need to punch a few people in the throat!
Just cuz its never been done, doesnt mean it cant happen...

Sua Sponte

[King]

Even if you get the course and pass, would you be able to wear the Ranger Tab on you uniform? I have read that little story on DND's web page about the M/Cpl who took the course (was the top of his class too) and is the only CF soldier able to wear the tab on his uniform, but we must have more Ranger qualified people then that. This was on the DND site quite some time ago so it may be a little dated.

[TonyM]

Cree-

Revenge is a dish best served cold.

About the Ranger course, your right. Someday, someone is going to be the first CF reservist. Only a matter of time.

[TonyM]

Concerning the wearing of foreign stuff:

UNCLASSIFIED
CANFORGEN 070/99 ADM HR-MIL 049 111300Z AUG 99

REFS: A. NDCDC MEETING 11 MAY 99
B. A-AD-265-000/AG-001 (CF DRESS INSTRUCTIONS) CHAPTER 3

1.THE CDS, ON THE ADVICE OF THE NATIONAL DEFENCE CLOTHING AND DRESS COMMITTEE,
HAS DETERMINED THAT EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY CF PERSONNEL WHO HAVE SUCCESSFULLY
COMPLETED A PRESCRIBED FOREIGN COURSE THAT HAS NO CANADIAN EQUIVALENT WILL BE
PERMITTED TO WEAR THE FOREIGN QUALIFICATION BADGE ON THEIR SERVICE DRESS

2.THIS DIRECTION APPLIES TO ALL ENVIRONMENTS. THE ENVIRONMENTAL CHIEFS OF STAFF
WILL DETERMINE WHICH SPECIFIC COURSES THIS REGULATION APPLIES TO. AT PRESENT,
TWO SUCH COURSES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED: THE UNITED STATES RANGER COURSE AND THE
UNITED STATES SPECIAL FORCES COURSE. CF GRADUATES OF THESE TWO COURSES MAY WEAR
THE AMERICAN PRODUCED QUALIFICATION BADGES ON THE LEFT SLEEVE OF THEIR SERVICE
DRESS UNIFORMS CENTERED 7 CM (2.75 INCHES) FROM THE SHOULDER SEAM TO THE TOP OF
THE BADGE. BECAUSE CANADIAN NATIONAL AND FORMATION BADGES TAKE PRECEDENCE, THE
US BADGE MAY HAVE TO BE ADJUSTED DOWNWARD

3.CF PERSONNEL MAY WEAR A TOTAL OF TWO FLYING AND SPECIALIST SKILL INSIGNIA AT
ANY ONE TIME ON THEIR SERVICE DRESS, FOREIGN QUALIFICATION BADGES ARE INCLUDED
IN THIS TOTAL

4.THIS CHANGE WILL BE INCORPORATED IN THE NEXT AMENDMENT TO REF B

5UNTIL THAT AMENDMENT IS PROMULGATED, A COPY OF THIS MESSAGE S.HALL BE INSERTED
INTO THE FRONT OF EACH LOCAL COPY OF REF B

[Reverend B]

Yup. Just another carrot in front of this horse. Found out that the unit never forwarded any name for the course. Wankers. Fat fucking officers and lazy pogues that know that they could never do it, so they would just rather fuck everyone else. The problem with the CF is too many incompetent people making important decisions. Oh well, what was I expecting, really? Something to work out. Just about time to start my own militia.....Liberal fucks.

[DFC5343]

Cree...all this throat punching you talk about heres one for ya http://www.bangedup.com/archives/chech21.mpeg

[TonyM]

You'd think they'd run a selection or compitition for those spots. Geez, did I say that out loud? Quick someone douse me with a splash of cold CF cynicism.
I have the suspicion that those slots were pretty much filled before the paperwork even hit us.
There, now I feel better. The room was starting to spin with rationality there for a minute.

[Cole]

I see that the regs allow for the Special Forces tab. Does anyone know a tabbed soldier in the Canadian Forces. My guess is that they would send the JTF guys there for training only....

[TonyM]

I may be wrong, but the Q-course curriculum is not within the current JTF tasking. I don't think we go off and train 3rd world armies or the like. I'd be very happy to be proven wrong. Some SF courses like the SOT in Lewis or the SOTIC in Bragg would be more the thing. Again, I don't think these will get you tabbed. As a side note, anybody catch the CNN story about the School of the Americas being closed down? Too bad. I was trying to scheme up a plan of "back dooring" for some high-speed training via the Honduras.

[Enfield]

Didn't JTF train Haitian police tactical teams in the early nineties? But other than that, I can't think of anything the CF has done to train foreign soldiers. (unless JTF really was in Kosovo...hehe...) Q-Course would be handy, but not really all that necessary.
Now, stuff like French and British Commando courses, US Ranger Course, and whatever direct action training offered by Ft. Bragg and Hereford/Poole would be useful.

Just a question on JTF: They tried and faile dto board a Spanish trawler, correct? And the few pics of them show a dive team. So what exactly are the diving/waterborne section's duties? Are they scaling oil rigs in the Atlantic? Were they trained by SEALs or SBS?

Enfield

[King]

Enfield,

Are you talking about Boarding Parties? The JTF2 tried to board the Spanish Ship Estai (I think that's the name) in 1995 during that whole Turbot War. They couldn't do it because of bad weather.

[Cree Warrior]

There are a few Canadians with the "Long Tab" (Special Forces). Its a very expensive course though.

Sua Sponte