On august last year i signed an Airborne/Ranger contract 11X opt.40.....I know that Rangers are infantry and thats why ive volunteered to go to training but i found out from people that on the 11X you can either be trained at 11B (infantryman) or 11C (indirect fire infantryman). Does signing a ranger contract guarantee me being trained as 11B? I just want to know if theres anyway i can choose of prefer the 11B training in ait or if its completely the army's decision. Any info and advice would be very helpful......especially from those with experience or knowledge in this area.

11B & 11C are both used in the 75th Ranger Regiment. About 3/4 of the way through Infantry School the 11C & 11B designates are split off for training in their MOS. It's the Army's decision.I'd say since you have an option 40 your chances of being 11B are probably greater. Both are good MOSs & I'm sure you'll enjoy either one. I know some mortarmen who absolutely love it & initially they were disappointed to be selected as an 11C. Both MOSs are awarded the Combat Infantry Badge. You won't have any problems in the Rangers earning that! My son is in the 3rd Ranger Batt. & just got back to Benning from deployment on 7Jan., out of active duty in May.

Have fun in Airborne School & RIP. Never quit! Now's the time to get yourself in Ranger shape! Lots of fast, long running, pushups, situps, pullups. do a lot of swimming so you can pass the swim test in RIP & help get yourself in better shape. You'll need it. Don't rely on Infantry OSUT to get you in shape for RIP. Airborne School is a snap for an Infantry OSUT graduate but lots fall out of RIP.Once you get to Pre Ranger Course & Ranger School providing you're excepted in the 75th Regt. you'll look back at RIP with fond memories. Your squad leader will insure that you're ready for Pre Ranger as well as the PT test but most of it is up to you. Before my son went to Ranger School most of his off time was spent getting in tip-top shape. Be prepared to work hard but the prize is well worth it - the Ranger Scroll, tan beret & RangerTab.

When is your ship date?

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Proud Dad of a US Army Ranger SSG-Former 3/75 Rangers, 2/334-95 USAR at present
US Navy 1960-1966 Submarine Service, Navy Diver-UDT 21
US Army 1980-2001 Airborne Infantry,G3, Army Instructor, Commo Instructor Company 1SG
Retired 1SG/MSG
I was a Soldier. I am a Soldier. I will always be a Soldier.

congratulations on your son.....i'd be very proud if i were you and i have a ton of respect for those who have made it through the training. I ship on July 9.......Im not in the best shape right now but ive already started working out and im hoping i can get in good enough shape in these next six months

I'll tell ya Hughes there are so many milestones he hit. First was his Infantry School graduation & his blue cord, then Airborne School & his wings, then RIP & his 3rd Batt Scroll & tan beret & finally his Ranger Tab. His SGT stripes probably mean less to him than all the others except it gave him the privilege of leading Rangers.

Good idea to start working on your PT. You'll not get through RIP if all you can do is pass the Infantry School PT test! You need to max the Army standard PT test for an 18 year old & even exceed that. If you can find out the requirements for PT in RIP then try to exceed that. That course is designed to see if you have what it takes to be a Ranger. Also while in OSUT on your free time (?) do PT. Situps & pushups before bed. Keep pushing yourself for maximum reps. You've got a half a year to prepare yourself. Never,never quit. If you quit on just one little thing you won't make it to the 75th Ranger Regt. Always keep that goal in mind. Don't waste an option 40 contract! Many want it but few get it.

__________________
Proud Dad of a US Army Ranger SSG-Former 3/75 Rangers, 2/334-95 USAR at present
US Navy 1960-1966 Submarine Service, Navy Diver-UDT 21
US Army 1980-2001 Airborne Infantry,G3, Army Instructor, Commo Instructor Company 1SG
Retired 1SG/MSG
I was a Soldier. I am a Soldier. I will always be a Soldier.

if i really put the work into it would you say i have enough time to be able to max the pt test?

Plenty of time! You have a little better than 6 months.

When my son was joining (without an option40, he got that while in Infantry School) I ran him every day - rain, cold or snow. He was already an athlete having been a varsity wrestler in H.S. & in Judo since he was 10 years old with a 2nd degree black belt & a multiple National champion. His Judo club was also a Nautilus fitness center so he was able to work the machines every day. I had him swimming in mid fall in cold water fully clothed. That was just to make it easier in Infantry OSUT. At that time we didn't know about the option 40 & Ranger training for recruits. He was lucky to be given the opportunity to change his contract in Infantry School when they asked for volunteers.

He didn't find RIP to be particularly easy nor did he find it to be particularly hard.

I posted this on another thread but I'll do it again.

RIP requirements

*Be MOS qualified
*Be Airborne Qualified
*Pass the PT test for 17-21 year olds with a 60% minimum score
*5-mile run no slower than 8 minute miles
*Pass the Combat Water Test- 15 meter swim w/ boots, BDUs or ACUs & load bearing equipment (LBE)
*Complete 2 out of 3 road marches. One must be a 10-miler
*Pass all exams with a minimum score of 70%

This should be a good template for you to start working on. Piece of cake if you prepare yourself! I could do that when I was 50 & in non-Ranger Airborne Infantry. While you're at it Beat Your Face! (you'll be hearing that a lot!)

Rangers Lead the Way!

__________________
Proud Dad of a US Army Ranger SSG-Former 3/75 Rangers, 2/334-95 USAR at present
US Navy 1960-1966 Submarine Service, Navy Diver-UDT 21
US Army 1980-2001 Airborne Infantry,G3, Army Instructor, Commo Instructor Company 1SG
Retired 1SG/MSG
I was a Soldier. I am a Soldier. I will always be a Soldier.

thanks so much for all the help..........I've wanted to do this my whole life. Being a Ranger was something i always thought about all the time and i want to do it so bad. I was just worried that i didnt have enough time to fully prepare myself. Really.....i appreciate all your help sir.

The really neat thing about being in the 75th Ranger Regt. is all the cool schools you can go to. My son attended Stryker School in Ft. Lewis, WA, Breacher's School, Master Breacher Course, & Warrior Leaders Course. If he would reenlist (he's not going to) he'd have to attend Jumpmaster Course & probably Pathfinder School. He'd put in for Air Assault School, Sniper School , SpecOps Combat Swimmers School, & Long Range Surveillance Leaders Course & maybe even Military Freefall School & definitely Army Combatives School & Dog Handler School. Many opportunities. He couldn't get many schools in due to deployments. Just about any course the Ranger Regt. can use are open to you depending on deployments.

Now do PT!!!

__________________
Proud Dad of a US Army Ranger SSG-Former 3/75 Rangers, 2/334-95 USAR at present
US Navy 1960-1966 Submarine Service, Navy Diver-UDT 21
US Army 1980-2001 Airborne Infantry,G3, Army Instructor, Commo Instructor Company 1SG
Retired 1SG/MSG
I was a Soldier. I am a Soldier. I will always be a Soldier.

Don't show up making only 60% on the PT test, you won't be passing RIP if you do. You better be making a 100% if you want a chance .. and don't count on basic to get you into shape.

Just to add for the stary eyed badge hunting kids that may be lurking, the courses MSG Glenn has mentioned are availble to those in the 75th Ranger Regt., however, less than 1% will attend Free Fall or Combat Diver. Somewhat okay chances at getting the conventional sniper course at Benning .. slim chances of getting the SOTIC course at Bragg.

Air Assault school is lame, and the Ranger Regt. will teach you how to rappel from a helo in a day. It's a badge hunting school .. same with Pathfinder.

There are different tiers to the Regt. Depending on your super secret sneaky status of your section, depends on your schools.

my friend and i have been training and i have a good amount of time to get in good shape but even if i dont get 100% on the pt test that won't at all stop me from getting through RIP. I wont let that ruin it for me. I believe that determination is most important thing.