Introduction: Andrew

[Kenmichi]

Rangers,

I am Andrew, a 24 year old college graduate and am currently enlisted with a 68w MOS. My cousin, who is a former 75th Ranger, has told me just about everything he possible can about his experience as a Ranger (former 31c before they got rid of it). His experience got me interested and I began doing research and learned that SOCM training is considered one of the most expansive non-surgical medical courses offered, period. Additionally I've heard that during 68w AIT and SOCM training, a little initiative with the instructors has educated some medics to go above and beyond their expected realm of knowledge. For me as a future medic, SOCM training will one of the greatest opportunities available to me inside the Army and it's something I am hellbent on getting.

Unfortunately the day I signed my initial contract I was outright told "68w cannot take Opt. 40, it's just not possible." That day I thought, "That's a bunch of bologna" but didn't contest the Sergeant's words. Upon arriving home I realized he was in fact wrong. Considering my current situation I've learned that I have 4 options at my disposal: 1) Re-negotiate and wait, but that forfeits my 68w which I'm reluctant to give up considering its rarity right now. 2) My ship date is after the beginning of the fiscal year, so I simply wait and have Opt. 40 added should there be any new openings in the new year. Or 3) I just keep calling MEPS everyday until something opens up. 4) Show my initiative, drive, and desire while at AIT and hope I'm presented with the offer/opportunity to volunteer.

I have over 5 months to get my ass into better shape and get Option 40 as well as learn everything I can from the Rangers of this forum. I hope to be welcomed by you all as a future soldier and to hopefully join your ranks as Rangers of the 75th Regiment. Thank you.

[Jim]

Andrew, your question has been addressed on this site several times. If you truly want to earn a place in the 75th Ranger Regiment, you came to the right site. There is a search feature on the top right portion of this page. If you learn something for yourself, it will be more effective. Welcome, and please self-administer a PT test on yourself and post it on this thread not later than midnight, Sunday, 15 May 2011. Never, never quit!

[Kenmichi]

Ranger Jim,

Thank you for the response and yes I will post those results.

If I may clarify as I have a tendency to ramble in typing in the same way I do when I speak. I did learn the answers to everything I mentioned in my post on this forum and from my cousin, I am informed on my subject and I was just stating my situation so current forum members would/could understand, if they were curious. I'm the type of person who reads, reads, reads, then asks, and reads some more. Hopefully that should do well for me at AIT.

Thank you again for the welcome, Ranger Jim.

[Kenmichi]

Completed my 5.15 PT test which is good because I started my new work out routine on a Monday so Sunday is a good progress checking day.

Based on 22-26 age bracket:
Push-ups: 52 / 74
Sit-ups: 40 / 68
2-mile run: 15:47 / 69

Not great scores but at least it's a platform to build up from. My muscles are sore from pushing myself through a very intensive cardio workout, especially my abs. During my sit-ups I felt like they were going to rip out of my body, but I need to practice my sit-up technique more if anything. I use my abs too much and don't use my quads enough, so that's another thing to work on as well. My mile time will improve with time, once I start getting stronger in my day-to-day workout I'm going to run 3 days a week. Someone on this site (forgive me for forgetting who, I've read hundreds of posts on this site to learn as much as I can) recommended I start at 1 mile and build up .5 miles per week and practice my 2 mile time by running 5 miles.

[Jim]

Not great scores but at least it's a platform to build up from.

Exactly. It is a start point. Never, never quit!