National Guard to RIP

RhodyOcs · Post by **RhodyOcs** » June 26th, 2004, 12:48 am

I have searched the board thoroughly, and I can't seem to find any info dealing with my situation... I am currently an OCS candidate in the National Guard attached to an Airborne aviation unit...basically, I'll hopefully end up being a Blackhawk pilot. However, I would definitely like the opportunity to attend RIP. Is this a possibilty? Everyone that I have contacted in the Rhode Island Guard cannot give me a definative answer as to whether or not this would be a possibility. I know that most likely the chance of being granted this opportunity is slim, but I would like to give it a shot either way. From my vantage point, (I do not attend basic until September) earning the opportunity to be called a Ranger in the U.S. Army is the pinnacle of one's career, be it a Private or Colonel. I know this opportunity is difficult to come by in the active Army, and probably more so in the Guard, but if the chance is available I'd like to take advantate of it. I had to go through 2 months of bullshit to be able to get a slot in Airborne because I was an OCS candidate, but finally, the state gave me the money. However, as far as RIP goes, I have either been ignored all together, or just told to call someone else, who happens to never answer their phone or return messages. Any insight or advice with my situation is greatly appreciated.

RGR_Dan · Post by **RGR_Dan** » June 26th, 2004, 6:18 am

I'd say unless you dump everything and go enlisted you don't have achance in hell. Last time I heard they only sent people that are enroute to the Regiment.

Bell · Post by **Bell** » June 26th, 2004, 8:34 am

Keep trying. I've heard of stranger things happening. Keep trying. You're doing good.

RLTW
Bell

RhodyOcs · Post by **RhodyOcs** » June 26th, 2004, 9:06 am

Thanks for the replies Ranger Dan and Ranger Bell.

BadMuther · Post by **BadMuther** » June 26th, 2004, 9:09 am

Sounds like you just want to check the block, in which case Ranger School, not RIP, would be the course for you. And getting a slot shouldn't be too difficult as an ossifer.

Bell · Post by **Bell** » June 26th, 2004, 9:13 am

Wait a minute, I just reread yer previous post and it's all fucked up.

You ain't ever gonna get to RIP as an OCS candidate.

However, most of my Ranger School class was OCS. 99% of them had Infantry MOS. I don't know how you'll work out with what ya got going but let's get on the right track.

RIP is for enlisted men going to a Ranger Battalion.

You aren't going to a battalion so you're chances of getting a Ranger School slot isn't all that bad. Keep trying.

RLTW
Bell

BadMuther · Post by **BadMuther** » June 26th, 2004, 9:16 am

From my vantage point, (I do not attend basic until September) earning the opportunity to be called a Ranger in the U.S. Army is the pinnacle of one's career, be it a Private or Colonel.

This line is where I derived my opinions......

Rangers serve in the Ranger Regiment. Ranger-qualified folks have graduated Ranger School. Big Difference.

Bugsy · Post by **Bugsy** » June 26th, 2004, 9:33 am

These things cost money and available slots, what I will tell you is this. There was a guy I met in Hohenfels, Germany who at the time was in a COHORT Unit while we were undergoing MOUT Training. I'm not sure if they still have COHORT units but the basis of COHORT was to keep a unit with the same personnel from basic until they get to a permanent party destination for 3 years, the theory being that they would be a better team and fight better because they had met challenges together over an extended period of time (to my knowledge it was against DOD Policy for "ANY" COHORT unit member to leave and PCS to another unit) virtually making it impossible.

This guy who will remain nameless came up to me and told me he wanted to be a Ranger what could he do, I told him to write various people at DOD (I forget who the Ranger Liaision was or whether he was at Bragg or the Pentagon) and if he ever got to Benning to look me up. Well about a year later he somehow ended up at Airborne School and stopped by Regiment to talk to me. I talked to my NCOIC told him I saw him perform in Germany and thought he had what it took, he then was able to pull some strings and we got him into RIP (he failed the road march the first time but the next day he was able to take it again and he made it) and ironically he got assigned to Regiment. The thing I remember most about this Ranger was that he NEVER "ACCEPTED" NO FOR AN ANSWER (and I'm sure there were plenty of people who told him NO or it can't be done). He continued to ask questions, call, leave messages, knock on doors and show up at Regiment every single day he could (I don't know if this is still the way it is at Regiment but I would bet it is....... you can't just "show up and hang out" you'll get as far as the front lobby and that's it and that's if the CQ lets you in the front gate!), as my NCOIC said he was becoming a regular PAIN IN THE ASS, BUT HE ACCOMPLISHED HIS MISSION AND DESIRE TO BECOME A RANGER.

That being said I know one thing is for sure, even if it hasn't been done before doesn't mean that it CAN'T BE DONE. If you want it bad enough, then it can happen, if its just a pipe dream then odds are it won't.
I hope that story helps you out when you feel like "it can't be done".

Determination is what its all about. Good luck.

RhodyOcs · Post by **RhodyOcs** » June 26th, 2004, 1:36 pm

Ranger Badmuther and Ranger Bell, thanks for pointing out my misconceptions in terms of the RIP vs. Ranger School, I should have been aware of this beforehand. Ranger BeadleBug, I appreciate your story, and I fully understand your point. Taking no for answer is not my style, and I will definitely keep pressing on with my goal of becoming Ranger qualified.

BadMuther · Post by **BadMuther** » June 26th, 2004, 1:41 pm

RhodyOcs wrote:Ranger Badmuther and Ranger Bell, thanks for pointing out my misconceptions in terms of the RIP vs. Ranger School, I should have been aware of this beforehand. Ranger BeadleBug, I appreciate your story, and I fully understand your point. Taking no for answer is not my style, and I will definitely keep pressing on with my goal of becoming Ranger qualified.

I'd just be happy flying blackhawks!

hit_it · Post by **hit_it** » June 27th, 2004, 4:45 pm

i would too, because as a commissioned Officer in AVIATION, that and a Tab is about all he is gonna get.

RGR_Dan · Post by **RGR_Dan** » July 1st, 2004, 8:50 am

Try to get over to TF 160. Then all kinda doors will open up for ya!

RhodyOcs · Post by **RhodyOcs** » July 3rd, 2004, 12:23 am

In the last few days, I have received some good news; My unit will send me to Ranger School, and this is solely based on the fact that the Captain that deals with me at this point, who happens to be the pilot with the most flight hours did the same around ten years ago. Basically what I was told is that I'd better come back to this unit being Ranger qualified... When I get out of basic, and Airborne, my unit has afforded me the chance to attend Ranger School prior to when my OCS class begins. With this in mind, and the fact that they are willing to spend the money and a slot on me, I will come back qualified period. I do not pretend to know what it takes, but regardless, I refuse to fail. I do not go to basic until September, and I have not lived a single day as a solider in the U.S. Army. However, I will take advantage of the opportunities affored me, and will accomplish the task at hand. Being Ranger qualified means more to me then getting my wings as a pilot. I owe six years to this outfit, and I will make the most out of it. Thank you to all of you Rangers that have responded to my thread. I came to this board as a browser, with no interest in becoming Ranger qualified, I will leave here having this be my main priority and objective.

Bell · Post by **Bell** » July 3rd, 2004, 12:28 am

Why will you leave here? If you get that tab then you BELONG here. See what browsing gets ya? A slot for Ranger School. Congratulations.

RLTW
Bell

RhodyOcs · Post by **RhodyOcs** » July 3rd, 2004, 12:50 am

Thank You, Ranger Bell. As I have not earned that tab yet, I will lay low, and learn as much as I can. Once more, I appreciate all the information that you Rangers give on this site, it is not something that I take for granted.

ArmyRanger.com

National Guard to RIP

National Guard to RIP

rip

flying