I've got two questions.

[Baseplate]

(1) Will Army basic training prepare me for the 5-mile timed run?
Running has always been my weakest point as an athlete. I've managed to cut my 2-mile from an embarrassing 17:33 to just over 15 minutes within the last few months. I'm just curious as to how much better I'll be if I push it at basic. I've also got 12-13 weeks in AIT afterward; will there be a lot of PT there? Will I be able to train on my own?

(2) What is the common view on non-Rangers and Ranger-related clothing?
When I told my family and friends that I was going to be a Ranger, one friend was really enthusiastic about it and actually gave me a Ranger t-shirt that he found somewhere. It's a plain black shirt with a large gold Ranger tab across the chest. I only wear it when I train. It's one of those things, when I've ran 6 miles and then threw a hiking pack with a 45 lb plate in the back on and am marching another 10 miles, I start thinking, "I could be playing Xbox and drinking a beer right now. Why in the hell am I doing this?" And then I look down, see the shirt, and remember EXACTLY why I'm doing it. Sorry for such a long-winded explanation, but I thought it necessary to an extent. My main concern is that recently a few people have seen me, with my shaven head and a Ranger shirt and assumed that I was a Ranger. I made it perfectly clear by telling them, "I AM NOT a Ranger. But I will be." Is this alright? I wasn't sure what to think about it.

Thanks, guys.
-Gary

1. somewhat
2. Only cherrys, posers and old men wear those shirts. But if that is what you need to motivate yourself then carry on

[Silverback]

Some guys are hung up on non-Rangers wearing clothes and others are not. In Basic training (1984) I bought a Fort Benning T-shirt and it had all the patches on it, Airborne, Pathfinder, Ranger, etc... The T-shirt was obviously a souvenier. When I got to my Squad in 3-75 I wore it as I was leaving on a Friday night. My Team Leader saw me wearing the shirt out and asked me "WTF do you think you are doing wearing that stuff." I was dumbfounded and had no response. My Team leader then proceeded with cutting my T-shirt off. So it all depends on who you run into.

[mortar_guy78]

My advice is, run more on your own. If you are slow at making progress on your run, basic and AIT will probably not give you adequate preparation. There are plenty of resources on this site and elsewhere about improving your run time. If you post your PT running plan, someone on here could probably tell you how to improve it.

As far as the tab shirt...you are treading on dangerous ground. If you were already in the military and wearing it, you'd be asking to have your ass kicked. As a civilian it's a bit more permissable because we normally assume that civilians don't know any better. It's good that you are letting people know you are not a Ranger but I'd say now that you know, lose the shirt and find some other way of motivating yourself. Wearing the tab or scroll is an honor that is earned.

[Lefty]

(deleted)

[Slowpoke]

Son, you have a LOT more to worry about than getting your ass kicked over a T-shirt. If you don't get your run times down, you'll die in RASP. I would suggest a training technique that they put us on in the prehistoric days.....when ever you're outside and moving, do it at a run. Do not drive the couple of blocks to the convenience store for your bon bons, RUN. Like Forrest Gump, RUN!!!!!

[CloakAndDagger]

(1) Will Army basic training prepare me for the 5-mile timed run?
Running has always been my weakest point as an athlete. I've managed to cut my 2-mile from an embarrassing 17:33 to just over 15 minutes within the last few months. I'm just curious as to how much better I'll be if I push it at basic. I've also got 12-13 weeks in AIT afterward; will there be a lot of PT there? Will I be able to train on my own?

Generally speaking, Basic Training and AIT PT will have "run groups" based mostly on speed. Your Drill Sergeants will most likely let you run "up" a group if you want to push yourself, and I suggest you do so. The "A" run group was doing 5+ miles per session by Week 5 or so.

I also had a long AIT (16 weeks). There was daily morning structured PT the whole time, and mandatory Saturday PT until "Phase 5". We also had the option of using the gym on our own time (which there was some, but not a lot of).

[Looon]

If you want it, just do it. It's that simple.

I know that it may be hard to believe, but there hasn't always been an internet to go get advice and pointers from.

I now consider my self an FOG. Back in those days, you just signed up and took what ever was thrown at you. If you wanted it bad enough, you made it.

So, if you want it bad enough, the runs in basic will prepare you enough to make it. If you are worried about running, do what Ranger Slowpoke suggested and run everywhere you go.

[merlyn]

gwinters,
When in BCT, we would form up in front of Charlie Company's barricks
at O'dark early. We would then run to the mess hall, run to the arms room
and run to some parking lot in the middle of absolutely nowhere. The
cattle trucks would transport us to some point 10-20 miles out.We
would march back, always running the last 5 miles. When in AIT (11B
school) we had SF medics amoung us. I chose to PT with these guys.
This help me greatly....these guys loved to run. When at advanced
medic school, I had ample time to run. Get someone (if you can) to
run with you (push you). If not, get out there and run! It is often a
love-hate relationship. You can do it. Rambling again....I do that often.
Best in all you do.

[merlyn]

Rangers,
I was a high school state competitor in the mile and half-mile.
I competed on the NCAA level, while on scholarship.
I also competed on the AAU level. When at Ft. Polk,
my commanding officer sent a letter of recommendation
to the US Modern Pentathalon Training Center; saying
that he believed I would be a good candidate for the
1984 Olympic Team. I have many trophies, medals,
ribbons, plaques and letters. None of these things have
ever been displayed, bragged about or whatever. My
point is this....I know what I am all about. You are
Army Rangers who have paid the price for the scroll,
tab and title of Army Ranger. I agree that it is an
annoyance to see others wearing the scroll and tab
on a t-shirt or whatever. But, every one of you know
what youre all about. Youre Rangers....military elite.
Enough said.

[panthersix]

(2) What is the common view on non-Rangers and Ranger-related clothing?

There's an Army superstition that if you wear or even buy a badge, ribbon or rank before you've earned it, then you've jinxed yourself and you'll never earn it.

I don't know if its true or not, but I bought a pair of Master Parachutist Wings when I graduated from Jump Master School before I was qualified as a master parachutist and then I ended up never earning my Master Wings.....just sayin....

[mortar_guy78]

(2) What is the common view on non-Rangers and Ranger-related clothing?

There's an Army superstition that if you wear or even buy a badge, ribbon or rank before you've earned it, then you've jinxed yourself and you'll never earn it.

I don't know if its true or not, but I bought a pair of Master Parachutist Wings when I graduated from Jump Master School before I was qualified as a master parachutist and then I ended up never earning my Master Wings.....just sayin....

I once touched an actual Ranger Tab with bare hands, and now look at me.