Intro- Fred

[feh728]

Before I continue, I just want to say “thank you” for all of your service. I have been blessed with two college degrees, independency and a flourishing business and could not have gathered these without all of you and other Servicemen’s sacrifices. Thank you.

To begin, my name is Fred. I grew up an athlete and played multiple sports throughout childhood and in high school. Upon graduation of high school, I went to college and have just graduated with two Bachelors’ of Science degrees in December 2009; 1) Business Management and 2) Business Marketing. Halfway through my college career, I began a painting corporation at the age of 19 and have been rather successful with it in the 2 years we have been open. With this, I have matured immensely and gathered so much knowledge about real world vs. the ideal world the professors teach you in college.

I have been interested in the United States Military for many years as I can remember playing as a kid as if I were in the Army while wearing my father’s uniform. The military has also been ingrained in me throughout my life both morally and physically as my father and grandfather have both served in our Armed Forces. This dream of following in my ancestral footsteps has become clearer to me as I have become older and matured. I have been intensely researching the many facets of our military for nearly one year to find the one that fulfills my ambitions. I have read books, watched movies and browsed websites. I found the Army Rangers and was hooked right away. The camaraderie offered to such an elite group is precisely what I have been looking for. I have come across www.ArmyRanger.com only recently with numerous questions. The knowledge I have gained here in the past several days has been unparalleled to any other website I have come across. Thank you to all who have been involved here for this invaluable information!

I have used the search function here numerous times. Spending countless hours researching the “ins and outs” of the entire process of becoming an Army Ranger and earning the coveted Ranger Tab. This website has answered all of my questions, caused me to ask new ones and yet again answered those questions as well. Just a wonderful website for all there is to know about becoming an Army Ranger.

I have always been told by my father, grandfather and family friend who served in the Army during the Vietnam War to go through OCS if I were to join. The fact being that there are far less openings for OCS graduates than enlisted men to become a Ranger has made me rethink this and I am still trying to find my best option.

My goal in the next two months is to figure out how to tell my family and friends that I have chosen to join the military and try to figure out a way to sell my company and allow my employees to find jobs elsewhere. I also plan to start the APFT improvement program, which has been clearly drawn out by Ranger Silverback, because my PFT scores are abysmal to say the least. Then begin the recruitment and enlisting processes spelled out in great depth on this website.

My PFT scores are as follows:
Push Ups- 42
Pull Ups- 15
Sit ups- 30
2 Mile Run- 20 Minutes

As of my senior year in high school, I was doing 20-25 pull-ups, approx 50 push-ups and 6-minute miles, so I know I can get my PFT pulled together once I begin the APFT improvement program.

Other pertinent information:
Age- 21
Height- 5’ 10”
Weight- 182

(Note: I tried applying an avatar but could not find the “newt” description in the dropdown menu. So I applied one from the DEPs menu instead as others were instructed to do the same.)

[Earthpig]

Great intro, Fred. You have obviously been reading here for awhile. Thanks for your interest in our Brotherhood and for your family's military service. Good luck in whatever path you decide to pursue. Welcome aboard.

RLTW
EP

[Oto-Man]

Sounds like you are tracking properly. Welcome here. You have certainly come to the right place to get the answers you seek. Thanks again for your desire to serve our country.

[feh728]

Thank you Ranger EarthPig and Ranger Oto-Man

[colt1rgr]

Physical part comes with time and some serious effort. The hard part is having the sense that's required to use it. Sounds to me like you are tracking all over it. Good luck and welcome aboard!

[feh728]

Thank you Ranger Colt1rgr.

[Jim]

Well, Fred, a man has only one opportunity to make a favorable initial impression. So far you seem to be doing well enough. If you wish to earn a place in the 75th Raanger Regiment, you came to the right site. I'm impressed that you have the personal insight to recognize that you need a lot of work on your physical fitness. Please tell us where you went to school. Never, never quit!

[Ranger Bill]

Welcome. Your interest in serving our country as an Army Ranger is appreciated. Advice is cheap and on the Internet, especially so. So here's my advice. Enlist for an Option 40 contract and you are gauranteed the opportunity to serve in the Ranger Regiment. You can always go to OCS later on, but if you go to OCS, the chances you will ever serve in the Regiment are slim to none. Be sure to read and heed the ROE PM I have sent you.

[feh728]

Ranger Jim:
Thank you for your time. I went to Edison College to acquire my Associates in Arts degree. I then transferred to a new but very notable school named Florida Gulf Coast University. It was at FGCU that I gained my two Bachelors Degrees mentioned in my introduction.

FGCU's website is located here if you're interested: http://www.fgcu.edu/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Once again, thank you for your time!


Ranger Bill:
Thank you for your time! I appreciate your advice. I have read that about Enlisting as Option 40 vs. OCS many times on this forum and it has not gone unnoticed. I have really been taking that into consideration. If I may add, advice is cheap on the internet, but coming from all of you Rangers, it is invaluable. I truly mean that. Thank you very much for taking time out of your day to help me.

Also, I have read the ROE PM and understand every word loud and clear. Thank you.

[feh728]

Rangers,

Thank you for your invaluable time. I have been searching the site and other sites, with no luck. I apologize ahead of time if this question has been answered already but I just can't seem to find it. If it has, please let me know.

Question 1:
After enlisting with an 11x Option 40, when does a Ranger get to go through OCS? Is it after RIP? After Battalion? After Ranger School?

Question 2:
Should I have OCS written into the contract or is this something I can request upon completion of my Ranger obligations?

I know this is thinking very far in advance but I would really like to get the big picture if at all possible.

Once again, I appreciate any and all help. Thank you for your time.

[feh728]

Rangers,

Any help on the previous post would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[KW Driver]

an OPT 40 enlistment allows you an opportunity to attend RASP, and become a member of the 75th Ranger Regiment. as an enlisted soldier. with a BS, you should be eligible to join as a Specialist, pay grade E-4. after spending a period of time proving yourself, you will be selected by your chain of command to attend Ranger school, and spend that period of your enlistment as an enlisted soldier, with whatever promotions come your way through merit.

OCS is a completely different critter. if you enlist you can apply for OCS at any time of your choosing. if you are selected to attend, you will and upon successful completion, you will be branched IAW the needs of the Army, and you will then be an officer. you will have a very slim chance then to return to the Regiment, if you happen to be in a branch that populates the Regiment.

if you attempt to apply for OCS when you enlist, and are picked up, you may never serve in the Regiment.

an OPT 40 enlistment is essentially the only way you may be guaranteed an opportunity to join the Regiment, after you've proved yourself in the process.

you are mixing up some concepts and should do some more research so you understand what you are asking. service in the Regiment is not the same as attending Ranger school. being selected for OCS as a civilian entering the Army and becoming branch qualified, possibly attending Ranger School, and then working in a unit, consistent with your branch is not the same as serving in the Regiment.

[feh728]

Ranger KWDriver,

Thank you for your helpful insights. It has helped.

Sincerely,

Fred

[Jim]

To expand on KW's comments:

If your intention is to earn your place in the 75th Ranger Regiment, I suggest you enlist. The time you serve as an enlisted soldier counts for military retirement (if you choose a career), I might add that if you later decide to attend OCS, your experience will serve you well. I was a Staff Sergeant with two extended tours in Viet-Nam when I went to OCS. I always thought that my experience as an enlisted was always helpful.

[feh728]

Thank you Ranger Jim. I have been delving to find the exact path I want with this. Ranger KW Driver's insights completely opened up the closed doors that were in front of me and I am seeing much more clearly now. Ranger Jim, your insights have shown me the difference between a taught leader and an experienced leader. I never thought of it in such a way. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Fred