Posted on 10/10/2011 5:23:09 AM PDT by panthermom
It has been a while since I have been here but y'all always provide the BEST information!
My son is currently deployed in Afghanistan. He is in a very remote area, no internet and intermittent phone. I finally talked to him on Saturday and he said his Commander has selected him for Ranger School!!!! 1 of 6 in his Company!
He is so excited as it is something he was going to volunteer for after his deployment. His Capt. said he would go to Pre-Ranger training. The only thing he is worried about is the 5 mile run. He has not run in months. Will they pull him off of his COP to get him into shape? He can walk for miles with 80lbs on his back, but there is no place to run, if you have seen Restrepo, that is very similar to what he is doing.
He has excelled unbelievably since joining the Army. In fact they just waivered his latest promotion for his actions in combat, so I know he can do it mentally. We didn't get a chance to finish our conversation because the call dropped and who knows when we will talk again.
Anybody out there that has been through this before??
Thanks!
Actually, any kind of aerobic conditioning should be some help, since that is the keep to being able to run a long distance. Your son surely has the muscle mass in his legs, so it's mostly a matter of providing an ample supply of oxygen to it continuously to support the energy requirements of a longer run. (Disclaimer: I'm not a kinesiologist. But I am the son of a kinesiologist. ;-)
Ping...
He will go through the RAP program, if that is what it is still called...ranger assessment program. Lasted 3 weeks when I was in it in the mid - 90s.
His mountain experience will be the biggest plus because most recycles are in the mountain phase, as it was with me twice ;(.
If he can get an airborne slot before Ranger school, that would benefit also.
Tell him 62 days of mind games, 1 MRE and constantly thrown into the lead decision maker on patrol. His fellow ranger-candidates will rate him, so keeping your mouth shut and completing the mission are a must. Most of it is mind over body, and mind over stomach, and mind over sleep. Tobassco sauce under the eyelids keeps you from getting stuck by the cadre ;)
Good luck!
Like I said, this is 1994-95 info. I don't know how much it has changed. I was recycled twice and never got my tab due to injuries at mountain phase.
My son is starting his Pre-Ranger training tomorrow. From what I understand from him, it is mostly physical conditioning to get candidates in-shape for the more rigorous Ranger training. I would think that the Pre-reanger training will get your son’s 5-mile time where it needs to be.
It kind of blows my mind the change in him since he went into the military. He was like a miserable caged animal before, was not enthusiastic about attending college, had no idea what he wanted to do. He joined the Army Infantry and blossomed. His squad leader, a SSGT. went on r and r and the NCO’s selected him to be acting squad leader, so that is what he is doing right now. Sometimes some guys get to go the the FOB, where there is internet access, he won’t leave the COP, doesn’t want to leave his men, lol.
I am a proud momma!
Is your son deployed? He is going to be on the FOB now, so I am hoping they will push the PT for him. IF he makes the run time, which I am confident he will, it gets him out of Afghanistan 3 mos. early!!!!!!
I told him, put it in your head while you are running that you are running back to the states!!!
My son is currently at Ft Sill, will probably deploy once his training there is finished, second quarter of next year.
I don't know anything about Ranger School, but thank you for raising a patriot ready to defend this great nation.
I find it refreshing he is concerned about being fit enough - the fact that he was selected speaks volumes. He will be pleasantly surprised at how much hiking in the mountains with a full pack does for his overall fitness and running ability - young, fit men can do amazing things with the amazing design God endowed them with.
Not to diminish what your son has accomplished, but this is a familiar story (plus, it happened to me, also!) If anyone knows a young adult (especially a male adult), who is struggling with making the transition into adulthood--maybe someone who has the smarts, but doesn't have the discipline or motivation--encourage them to consider the military.
A common response might be, "I don't want to waste four years of my life in the military!" Listen, but respond back, "Four years will go by, whether you're in the military and doing something positive with your life, or whether you're working menial jobs (or no job), earning minimum wage."
Anyway, God bless your son!
No pre-ranger for me back in ‘84 but different times. My son w/ the 173 went thru pre-ranger with his unit for an August Ranger School Class. The Pre-Ranger is to get them in shape for the real course. His unit will not send him if he is not ready. He should not have a big problem with the run he is getting enough with normal work down range.
1st bit of advice - pass the PT test with a score of 275 or better. Yes, that means running. I know he can hump, but you got to be able to run. If because of his current deployment, he is unable to run, have him start by running in place. If he can run “high knees” for 15 min without stopping or slowing down, he will be doing ok.
If he has leave saved up, see if he can get his CO to let him take 20 or 30 days leave prior to reporting to school. If he can, then when he gets back ... run.
The second thing is to rest. I know it is a contradiction but Ranger school will wear you down mentally. So get as much rest as possible ahead of time. By rest, I mean the no stress kind of rest. Going to be tough coming back from a combat zone but it will do him words of good.
I am interested in the answers too. My son was accepted into the Ranger program as a new recruit, and leaves for basic training in just a couple of weeks. Basic, jumpschool, pre-ranger, some time in the field and then the famous 62 days....if all goes well.
They just moved him from the COP to a larger FOB, I think moving there they are going to get them in shape. He has always had great PT scores. They have a weight room there and he works out daily but like I said, the COP was very small, room for 1 platoon. Outside the wire.......IED’s EVERYWHERE!!!
I lost my chance at Airborne / Ranger / SF in the 80’s when I took an 80ft fall of the side of a mountain and busted my knee, back and shoulder. Tell him to keep his head down and to not get hurt. Our prayers are with him.
Also tell him from a former Infantry squad leader - thanks for his service, head down, eyes open, canteen full.
No. PRC (pre-Ranger course) is a preparatory school (I can't remember how long, 2-3 weeks?) that almost every major Army post runs in order to get candidates prepared for Ranger school. PRC usually has its own PT entrance requirements, but I don't know what they are. I can tell you for sure, though, that he will finish out his deployment with his unit like normal, then, upon return, he'll go to PRC and Ranger school. My advice would be to take that post-deployment leave time period to get in good running shape. I sympathize--the five-mile run is what got me in Ranger school.
No he is not finishing his deployment with his unit. They selected 6 out of his Company, They are pulling them out of Afghanistan to attend Ranger School. I was surprised as well. If he can get past the Pre Ranger Course he leaves his unit 3 mos. ahead of everyone, he will finish Ranger School as his unit returns from deployment.
He did not drop a Ranger packet, he was planning on doing it after deployment, his Lt. was urging him to do it. They were selected by the Commander to attend.
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