So would the Army actually build one up to become an Army Ranger?

Question

Say there's a young fellow (19 years old), high school grad, but not very athletic... meaning, there's a lot of room to improve, no physical conditions to hold him back from doing the work, he just... doesn't do a lot.

Would the Army build that person up to become Army Ranger-quality, through boot camp and advanced schooling? Or would they say at MEPS, "Well, you're not exactly qualified for such a job..."? Is it something they let you test for in Boot Camp or what?

Answer 1

the answer is no, Joining the Army Rangers
There are several paths to becoming an Army Ranger. As a civilian your best option is to contact an Army Recruiter about enlisting on the Army Ranger Contract. The contract ensures your spot at Airborne School and assignment to the 75th Ranger Regiment to attend the Ranger Indoctrination Program (RIP).

Army Ranger Qualifications
The Army Ranger contract requires candidates to meet the following basic standards:


Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien.
Have a High School Diploma or equivalent.
Be 18 or older.
Be able to pass the Army Physical Fitness Test (AFPT).
Be eligible for a Secret Level Security Clearance.
Score 50 or better on the ASVAB AFQT and have a GT (General Technical) score of 110 or higher.
TIP: Scoring high on the ASVAB is key to being able to join an elite team like the Army Rangers.
As a Ranger, you will be part of a highly trained and rapidly deployable light infantry force with specialized skills that enable it to engage a variety of conetnional and Special Operations targets.

History | Qualifications


Army Ranger Training
Like all Ranger candidates you will begin with nine weeks of Boot Camp. Upon completion of Basic Training you will attend Advanced Individual Training to earn your Military Occupational Specialty (MOS). This training varies in length depending on your selected MOS.

Tip: Each MOS also has its own specific ASVAB requirements. Scoring high on the ASVAB is key to being able to choose an MOS that offers the highest bonuses and the best career opportunities in the Army. Visit our Ace the ASVAB section to learn how to make sure you qualify for the bonuses and career options you deserve.

After graduating AIT your training will continue at Army Airborne School and then on to the Ranger Indoctrination Program (RIP) in Fort Benning, GA.

Army Airborne School
Your next step will be to complete Airborne training. Airborne School is a unique experience requiring special dedication and a desire to be challenged mentally and physically. This three-week course, also known as Basic Airborne Training, teaches you the techniques involved in parachuting from airplanes and landing safely. The final test includes a non-assisted jump.

Airborne school is broken down into 3 weeks. The following explains the training you must complete for each week.

Ground Week:
You start with an intensive program of instruction to build individual airborne skills. These skills prepare you to make a parachute jump and land safely. You will train on the mock door, the 34-foot tower and the lateral drift apparatus.

Tower Week:
Tower Week completes your individual skill training and builds your team effort skills. To go forward to Jump Week, you must qualify on the Swing Lander Trainer (SLT), master the mass exit procedures from the 34-foot tower, and pass all physical training requirements.

Jump Week:
During Jump Week, you must successfully complete five jumps at 1,250 feet from a C-130 or C-141 aircraft. If you successfully meet the course requirements you will be granted an additional skill identifier and will be authorized to wear the coveted "Silver Wing" on your uniform.

When you graduate from Airborne School you will be assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment to attend the Ranger Indoctrination Program (RIP).

The Ranger Indoctrination Program
The Ranger Indoctrination Program (RIP) begins when the Ranger Liaison picks up the Ranger candidates at Airborne School - just after graduation - to immediately begin the program. The program is designed to determine if you are suitable for service in the 75th Ranger Regiment.

The four-week program consists of physical training and continuous preparation for service in the Regiment. It is important that you learn the operational procedures, equipment, and the standards of the Regiment prior to your assignment. The Ranger Indoctrination Program includes the following training:


Daily Physical Training
Ranger History test
Map Reading
APF
Airborne Operation
Ranger Standards
Day and night land navigation
5-mile run
Combatives
Knots
Combat Water Survival Test
6, 8 and 10-mile road marches
Driver Training (DDC Card)
Fast Rope Training
Combat Lifesaver certification.

To pass RIP and qualify for the 75th Ranger Regiment you must meet the following criteria:


Score 60 percent on the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) in the 17 to 21 age group
Complete a 5-mile run in less than 8 minutes per mile
Successfully complete the Combat Water Survival Test (CWST) - You must be able to complete 15 meters in BDU's, boots and LBE.
You must complete 2 of 3 road marches, one of which must be a 10-mile road march
You must score at least 70 percent on all exams

Once you have completed RIP, you will finally be a Ranger and you will receive an assignment to either the 75th Ranger Regiment Headquarters or one of the three Ranger Battalions.

Ranger School
After you have proven yourself at your Ranger Battalion your next step will be to go to Ranger School. This school is a requirement for becoming a Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) in the Rangers.

Ranger School is one of the toughest training schools a soldier can volunteer for. Army Ranger NCOs are experts in leading soldiers on difficult missions-and to do this they need rigorous training. For over two months, Ranger students train to exhaustion, pushing the limits of their minds and bodies.

There are three distinct phases of Ranger School that require soldiers to make quick decisions in adverse situations-these phases are called "crawl," "walk" and "run."

Crawl (Darby) Phase
The Crawl Phase lasts 20 days. It's designed to assess and develop the necessary physical and mental skills to complete combat missions and the remainder of Ranger School successfully. If you are not in top physical condition when you report to the Ranger School, you will have extreme difficulty keeping up with the fast pace of Ranger training, especially during this first phase.

Walk (Mountain) Phase
The Walk Phase takes place in the mountains and lasts 21 days. During this phase, you will receive instruction on military mountaineering tasks as well as techniques for employing squads and platoons for continuous combat patrol operations in a mountainous environment. You will further develop your ability to command and control a platoon-sized patrol through planning, preparing and executing a variety of combat patrol missions.

Run (Swamp) Phase
The Run Phase of Ranger School continues to develop your combat arms functional skills. You must be capable of operating effectively under conditions of extreme mental and physical stress. This is accomplished through exercises in extended platoon-level patrol operations in a swamp environment. Run Phase training further develops your ability to lead small units on airborne, air assault, small boat, ship-to-shore, and dismounted combat patrol operations in a low intensity combat environment against a well-trained, sophisticated enemy.

If you still think you have what it takes to "Lead the Way" you need to contact an Army Recruiter and ask about the Ranger contract. The contract includes Basic Training, Advanced Individual Training, Airborne School and assignment to the 75th Ranger Regiment to attend the Ranger Indoctrination Program (RIP). After that your success is up to you. Are you ready for the challenge?

Answer 2

Contact an army recruiter let him know you want an 11x option 40 contract. But before he says okay. You need to score a 50 or above on the ASVAB with a GT score of 107 or above no exceptions. You need a High School Diploma or GED with 15 college credits. After that you go to OSUT (Basic + Infantry training all in one) 14 weeks at Fort Benning, Georgia You then go to U.S. Army Airborne School 3 weeks where you will jump out of a plane at 1500+ feet 5 times. Then it's off to RASP 1 (Ranger Assessment And Selection Program) this is the training you go to, to become a Ranger. During this training they only take the best not some weenie that only does the minimum. Then you get assigned to one of 3 Ranger Battalions. You get more training at your battalion. If you wanna be a leader in your Bat. You will be Sent to Ranger School (leadership school). If you don't wanna hold a leadership position you won't be sent. But I think the 75th ranger regiment encourages you to go anyway. now if you read and said to yourself okay this is what I want start doing 100 push ups in 2 minutes 100 sit ups in 2 minutes 12 mile ruck march with 35 pound ruck sack on your back in 3 hours or less 5 mile run in 40 minutes or less pull ups as many as you can no time limit the minimum requirements are 57 push ups in 2 minutes 66 sit ups in 2 minutes but better exceed that they don't take the guys that only do the minimum. also read about ranger history learn the ranger creed learn the army core values learn the army general orders they test you on all that good luck

Answer 3

its more mental than physical..yes basic will get your ready for the physical part..but you might not get in for the reason there are so many candidates going for it..do some reading on rangers..its not easy..they are like a light long range infantry carrying all they need and fighting hard. ask for Airborne school that will help your chances for ranger school..rangers are airborne qualified you have to make jumps at nite into the Florida everglades in ranger school..

Answer 4

whether you make Ranger or not is up to you. If thats what you want to do enlist for it. Then you will have to past all the qualification test. Half the people that show up to basic training barely can do the 13 push ups you need to do to start basic.

Answer 5

MEPS is only concerned with gettin you into the Army, after that your training is done by professionals at Basic Training. You will do PLENTY of exercises which will build your muscles, but they are more interestedi n Stamina not strength. In fact, I knew guys who lifted weights all through their Army careers and were always bolunced for weighing too much for their height. They didn't get in trouble for being muscley, its just the standards say if you are 72 inches tall, you can only weigh up to X amount of pounds (for example).

Having been thru US army Basic I can promise you you WILL gain muscle mass. They will feed you tons of carbs and protein and I guarrantee you will gain muscle mass if you do what they instruct you to. They will NOT specifically train you in Basic to qualify for Ranger Training, but they will add training to your regimen to prepare you for Ranger training if they see youre sincere about doing it.

AFTER Basic, when you report to your AIT training post, then is when you want to tell your CO you are interested in Ranger Training. Depending on your MOS, you may allowed to divert to Ranger Training or you may not, it depends on the unit.

I was stationed in Germany for 2 years and never saw one Ranger, one Special Forces, etc. We had LRSUs (Long Range Surveillance Units) but no Rangers. Once I transferred to Savannah GA, I was attached to an Airborne Ranger unit (got to wear the red beret) and my XO was one of those total soldier types. He decided to go to Ranger Training and got it into his head to try to force me to go too. He couldn't LEGALLY force me to do it, but he COULD bring a lot of pressure to bear. I finally just had to otell him straight up it wasnt gonna happen.

Answer 6

It is your attitude entirely that sets the pattern for what you become whether it is the army or whatever. In war time you either shaped up or shafted out