Introduction - RGJR23

[RGJR23]

Hey there Rangers,

Let me start off by saying thank you for this opportunity to gather insight and be a member of this community.

I started my military career in high school as Cadet Captain for a Air Force JROTC, with out hesitation I enlisted into the Air Force 2 months after graduation. At the time, I was most knowledgeable on that branch of service and felt it was the best option for me. I enlisted as a Security Forces member (aka MP), because it was the only job I saw worth doing and the fact that I always knew two things growing up. I wanted to be in the Military and I wanted to be a Police Office, so it seem logical at the time.

I did six years in the Air Force but found that it wasn't for me, despite the cool assignments I volunteered for and jobs I was able to hold. It wasn't enough and couldn't fuel my inner flame I held for what real military service is.

In Aug 08, I enrolled in the Blue to Green program and switched branches as a E-5. At the time I still wasn't sure what the Army had to offer or what every MOS fully entailed. Being that I am pretty knowledgeable and a fast learning, I picked a MOS I thought would be a little more mentally challenging 35F.

I'm no stranger to being in the top 10% as well as the bottom 10%, sometimes at the same time. While training for 35F, I got into a little trouble and was forced re-classed 2 weeks before graduating. By little I mean a Max Field Grade however in my opinion it was the best thing that could of happened aside from the reduction in rank. (If you really care to more further details PM me)

I was re-classed to 68W and while training for this MOS, I loved almost every minute of it. I found being a medic fun and exciting during all field operations. Hoping and begging I would get sent to a line unit, however I received orders to a Health Clinic in Germany. Germany may be a great place, but working in a clinic is far beyond what I set out to do.

So that leads me to now,

Most recently, I graduated WLC (Commandants List) in Dec 09. While going through that I course I had a couple SGT 11Bs in my class that completely blew my mind. Not in a good sense either. From simple squad movement tactics to operation orders, my knowledge was far more in dept. Maybe I just had a bad set in my class but it gave the impression that, this is was the infantry could be made of. Once they got over the fact that I was prior Air Force and a medic, we began to pick at each others brains and I found out how much I really knew and felt that I was in the wrong MOS.

My reenlistment window just opened up a week ago so I started the ground work on my packet. As it stands right now I will be reenlisting on Monday or Tuesday with a re-class option of 11B. I tried to get Airborne and RIP however all I was offered was straight 11B.

My retention NCO tells me that once I get to AIT, I can bust my ass for a Airborne slot and possibly a RIP one. How true that is, I don't really know.

So why do I wanna be a Ranger?

Its not about having tab or wearing a cool beret to me....

Its about being a part of a community and lifestyle that not many get the chance to or have the will and desire to achieve.
Being with some the best trained and closest soldiers in the Army. Fighting and sacrificing everything I can for my fellow brothers in arms. I am still very much an NCO at heart and believe I have a lot to offer young soldiers out there.

I've been in 7.5 years, and pretty sure my chances of getting into RIP maybe be slim to none while in AIT. But I'm not excepting discouragement or taking any closed door as a permanent one. If I have to get into a reg INF unit first and fight my way for a slot, then that's where Ill be and what Ill do.

Any advice would be much appreciated, for now and like anything else I do. I plan to learn as much as I can before I get to Benning and embark the next level of my career.

Thanks

SPC G

[Jim]

Why not request assignment in your current MOS. I'll PM our expert and he can advise you. Oh, yeah, welcome...

[Ranger Ron]

Welcome to ArmyRanger.com and thanks for your service to our great country! Hope you get what you want.

[al_2ndWolfhounds]

Welcome and thank you for your service. If you search the website you will find answers.

[snafu]

Welcome. Why don't you just re-up and go to RASP as your current MOS? You can hit Airborne on the way....just do a 4187. You said you liked the medical training and wanted to be in a line unit badly...

It'll save you some time anyway...but if 11B is what you want then good luck!

[RGJR23]

When I submitted my reenlistment options, I listed W1 course as one of my desired training options. I was told it wasn't available to me.

[HakweeRgr]

Welcome to the site, and good luck!

[K.Ingraham]

11Bs are a plenty. Good medics who can pass the SOPMED course are rare. 'They' will work harder to get you there.
Stay in your MOS, it'll be much easier to get to regiment, you'll have that intellectual challenge you crave, more so than you'll get by being the prime mover for an M-4. The medic in a line company does what the line platoons do so it's not as if you'll be missing anything. They train, you train. They fight, you fight. On top of doing what the riflemen are doing, provided you are a competent medic, you'll have a lot more status and will be one of a few, rather than the many.

Ah yes, the joys of having more years behind you than ahead of you sitting in Ft Livingroom telling some whippersnapper how he should run his life.