OCS or Enlisted for Ranger?

[pappy]

You wanna Ranger Contract, ENLIST. You wanna be an O, go to OCS.

then pray you get scraps behind all the West pointers and ROTC Honor Studs who take all the infantry slots.

SFC hit_it:
Hope you don't mind me reviving an old thread, but it touched on something I didn't see as I browsed this site (maybe because it is outside of armyranger.com's purview, in which case I apologize) and something I can't get any informed opinions about on armyocs.com. I was wondering how slim you think the chances are of a college op'er being branched IN or trading for it after OCS in the classes this fall? I am not prior service, but is there anything you think I could do to make myself a better candidate for IN, like a perfect pre-ship PFT or infantry-specific LOR's? Or is it all a gamble?

Everyone else's opinions are of course also highly valued, and thanks to everyone in the armyranger.com community for all the invaluable information and straight talk. The current and former Ranger's input is simply untouched by other sites I've looked at during the recruiting process in terms of utility and truth. Alright, sorry about the buttkissing, thanks again.

[hit_it]

you ain't kissing any ass. actually, you've got a valid question.

OCS only garautees you a chance to become an O, as you already know.

you have to perform well in all areas and hope that DA will assign you a branch you like. there's no other way to go about it,unfortunately.

You are able to trade, as your intel suggests, but it may be hard to find a candidate who has infantry and is willing to trade. on a good note, i've yet to hear of someone who wanted infantry and did NOT get it except one person. he got FA which was his second choice. he's a recruiter in this battalion with me.

that's really as much info as I can give you.

[Bugsy]

Pappy just remember this, if its not a part of your contract and not written in stone then the only Guarantee that you'll learn is that there isn't any Guarantee's in the Army, good luck with your decision.

[gpatmac]

You wanna Ranger Contract, ENLIST. You wanna be an O, go to OCS.

then pray you get scraps behind all the West pointers and ROTC Honor Studs who take all the infantry slots.

I was wondering how slim you think the chances are of a college op'er being branched IN or trading for it after OCS in the classes this fall? I am not prior service, but is there anything you think I could do to make myself a better candidate for IN, like a perfect pre-ship PFT or infantry-specific LOR's? Or is it all a gamble?

You are on the right track. ANYTHING you can do to make yourself seem like the right soldier for the job is worth doing 110%. PT, academics (GPA), military academics, displayed leadership ability, military bearing and appearance...

However, if you try your hardest do max all tasks given to you and graduate OCS as distinguished honor grad, you'll most likely get your choice, but if the Army needs Armor or Engineer officers, then steel yourself for commanding a bunch of Abrams or supervising schools being built or advising the BDE commander on how to employ MCLCs.

[pappy]

Thank you for the feedback and advice, SFC hit_it and Rangers Bugsy and gpatmac. 110% and keep my fingers crossed.