Well, after years of patience, things are starting to come to fruition. I was told a lot that Ranger School in the Guard was close to impossible. As objective as a person as I was, I didn't want to believe it, but I kept utilizing my options. I tried pre-Ranger in FABOLC and didn't think it was worth it because I had to focus on my studies instead, and they didn't honor slots for Guard guys. It also turned out my class ended up not getting any slots from the school house. I felt bad for the 8 people that sacrificed their off time for nothing (other than getting good PT).
Fast forward a bit, I was with the FIST for a while, so I was attached in infantry units and wanted to be one of the few Artillery guys with a tab, because it was another way for us to gain credibility with the maneuver. I say that because the maneuver unit we were with didn't have much faith in Fires.
Fast forward a bit more, in my deployment, in the garrison environment, we did a pre-Ranger style training to secure slots for the Guard's RTAC program. I made it through, but they gave all the slots to the infantry guys instead. I asked the infantry BC if I could still get a chance to go. He quickly changed the subject.
Now today, back to my organic unit and away from the infantry, I heard with our new budget, they're trying to send more people in my state to go and jumped at that opportunity without much hesitation. My leadership gave me the green light and are in the process of registering me for a class. It'll likely be in Winter, but an opportunity is an opportunity (I don't know what's worse, swamp ass and struggling to stay awake in the Southern heat, or freezing my ass off in the mountains).
I've been pretty patient after 4 years and still need to be more patient because I haven't gotten there yet. I've been trying to highlight my deficiencies and strengths and trying to work with them. My cardio and strength is good, but I need to work on my rucking because I don't enjoy it at all. I'm fine tuning my nutrition and trying to work through my sleep issues, because I need to recover well if I'm going to train hard; I sleep 8 hours a day, but I think I'm developing sleep apnea.
If all goes right, I'll be the only tabbed officer in my battalion and/or this can be a good segway to 19th Group.
If someone tells you that you can't get a Ranger School slot in the Guard, don't listen to them, as it can be possible. Just don't take no for an answer.
Fast forward a bit, I was with the FIST for a while, so I was attached in infantry units and wanted to be one of the few Artillery guys with a tab, because it was another way for us to gain credibility with the maneuver. I say that because the maneuver unit we were with didn't have much faith in Fires.
Fast forward a bit more, in my deployment, in the garrison environment, we did a pre-Ranger style training to secure slots for the Guard's RTAC program. I made it through, but they gave all the slots to the infantry guys instead. I asked the infantry BC if I could still get a chance to go. He quickly changed the subject.
Now today, back to my organic unit and away from the infantry, I heard with our new budget, they're trying to send more people in my state to go and jumped at that opportunity without much hesitation. My leadership gave me the green light and are in the process of registering me for a class. It'll likely be in Winter, but an opportunity is an opportunity (I don't know what's worse, swamp ass and struggling to stay awake in the Southern heat, or freezing my ass off in the mountains).
I've been pretty patient after 4 years and still need to be more patient because I haven't gotten there yet. I've been trying to highlight my deficiencies and strengths and trying to work with them. My cardio and strength is good, but I need to work on my rucking because I don't enjoy it at all. I'm fine tuning my nutrition and trying to work through my sleep issues, because I need to recover well if I'm going to train hard; I sleep 8 hours a day, but I think I'm developing sleep apnea.
If all goes right, I'll be the only tabbed officer in my battalion and/or this can be a good segway to 19th Group.
If someone tells you that you can't get a Ranger School slot in the Guard, don't listen to them, as it can be possible. Just don't take no for an answer.
Last edited: