Introduction - Andrew

[Hopeful_warrior0271]

Hello everyone

My name is Andrew and just turned 18 a week ago. Recently graduated from High School. I'm from Southern California. I've been lurking on this site unregistered for several days, poring over countless forums and learning a great amount about my goal of becoming an Army Ranger. So I finally registered with the hopes of improving and preparing myself for my aforementioned dream.

A little about my background which led me to pursuing my current dream: my father is in Law Enforcement. LAPD, more specifically. I grew up in the Suburbs, which is where I still reside. I got hooked on idea of wanting to enter Special Operations when I was in middle school. I remember seeing breaking news that UBL had just been killed by DEVGRU guys. I started researching Navy SEALS and realized that's what I wanted to do for a living. I was obsessed. I couldn't sleep some nights because I just wanted to be several years older and attending BUDS already. However, I was mentally weak. Just like most kids at that age. I could not stick with my goal in the long run, and met my current fiancee my Sophomore year. So my goal was to go to college.

Senior year comes around, an Army recruiter does a presentation in one of my classes. I start thinking about joining, and decide I want to join the Army Reserves. So I go to MEPS, get delayed for a day because of some BS mistake in my paperwork, and finally get squared away the next day. I chose the MOS of 35N; Signals Intelligence Analyst. I swore in March 24th, 2017.

So while I'm browsing the Army's website and reading about different MOS, wondering if I screwed up and chose a bad one, I start reading about the 18 series. And it calls to me, like a piece of food on the floor calls to a dog. I had heard and read about all the branches SOF, but had only been set on the Navy's a few years prior. So I ask my recruiter about it (he was infantry and part of the 82nd AD) and he answers my questions, but I realize I have to be 21 and have 3 years in service. So I end up going to drill with my unit (yep, you can drill and get payed before you even ship to BCT now) 3 times. I ask plenty of questions, especially about how difficult it is to go from Reserve to Active. One SGT in particular was very kind to me and supportive of my goals of wanting be SF. He said he wished he had gone Active from the beginning, as one gets so used to the Hooah life in BCT and AIT. So I made my decision right then and there. I was going to cancel my contract and go Active Duty.

That was about 2 months ago. Since my goal is Special Operations in general, and I wouldn't have a shot at SFAS for a long time, I decided to pursue joining the 75th Ranger Regiment. I had been reading about 11X Option 40 contracts for a while, and stumbled upon this site from an article posted to a Facebook group called SOF Selection Prep. The name says enough.

So here I am, eager to start learning. I've already started reading the Ranger Handbook. Reading other military books as well. And I've been training 5-8 times a week for the last two months.

And that is where I am at.

[Jim]

Welcome, Andrew. Read the FAQ ands use the search feature located on the Quick Links. Most of the questions you might have can be answered using these features. Please self-administer a PT test within the next 72 hours and post your results on this thread. Read the letters from school thread. Never, never quit!

[Hopeful_warrior0271]

Roger Ranger Jim.

PT Test:
Pushups: 64
Situps: 78
2 mile: 14:08
Pullups: 20

[CharlieRanger1FFV]

Welcome to the site, Andrew.


RLTW!!!

[Jim]

Andrew, noticed you were on the site today. Do you have any questions we might be able to answer? Never, never quit!

[Hopeful_warrior0271]

Ranger Jim-
So far, all the questions I've had have been answered by searching the forums. All but one, and I think I've slipped over it somehow. To be part of the Mentorship program, must I have an Option 40 Contract?

[Jim]

Our policy is that in order to be a member of the five mentee thread, you must be an Option 40 or Series 18. There have been exceptions granted. What is your report date?

[Hopeful_warrior0271]

Ranger Jim,
That makes alot more sense. I was a future soldier set to join the Reserves. My ship date was July 24th of this year. However I cancelled my contract and decided on waiting for an Option 40. But current recruiting policy is I must wait 6 months from my previous ship date before I can even obtain an Option 40. Thus, I cannot obtain a contract till January 24th 2018. I was hoping to join the Mentorship program and prepare for 6 months, but I will wait if need be.

[Jim]

I encourage to continue to visit the site as you wait for the opportunity to enlist. You will find many valuable insights in the letters from school thread. Never, never quit!

[Hopeful_warrior0271]

Roger that Ranger Jim. I'll continue to do just that.

[Jim]

Roger that Ranger Jim. I'll continue to do just that.

In the meantime, I encourage you to self-administer an AFPT every two or three weeks, posting your results, to keep involved. Never, never quit!

[Hopeful_warrior0271]

Roger Ranger Jim. I injured my ankle, so I am not capable of the 2 mile on the APFT but I will test the other aspects and post it this weekend.

[Jim]

Roger Ranger Jim. I injured my ankle, so I am not capable of the 2 mile on the APFT but I will test the other aspects and post it this weekend.

The week-end has passed and no post from you, Andrew.

[Hopeful_warrior0271]

You are right Ranger Jim. I neglected to administer a PT test this weekend, and there was no excuse for not having reminded myself. I shall administer one tomorrow and have the results posted. My mistake completely.

[Hopeful_warrior0271]

Modified APFT
Pushups- 67
Situps- 80
Pullups- 20
My muscles were already fatigued, so that may have affected my scores.