Women in Combat Arms/ SOF Discussion

[Florida173]

but if you're only training them for Ranger School and not to lead a platoon

Ranger school is a leadership school..

 

[ThunderHorse]

I graduated TBS on a Friday and took the IOC Combat Endurance Test the following Monday morning. I don't think much has changed since I graduated. They normally time IOC course start dates to follow right behind TBS graduations.

Interesting side note, while IOC is a solid kick in the nuts, we are seeing a very high attrition rate in officers, all of whom are IOC graduates, failing the Basic Recon Course.

My ABOLC classmate said failing the E Course was an indictment on the Marine Officer's individual preparation because they had IOC Prep which consisted of a month to six weeks of reporting for PT in the morning and then having the whole day to work out after that.

 

[Marine0311]

If only you had some weight that you could throw around to change that, @Ranger Psych

Fleet life is different from ITB. I dreaded boot drops not because they were green and inexperienced, but because they were more often than not the physically weakest. In my humble opinion, ITB needs an extra two weeks added to it to allow more time to integrate a PT regimen. Every day is spent training from 05 to 1900 or later if in the field. We only PT'd twice if I remember. Boot camp had at least a few obstacle courses and movement courses that sucked.

I would make ITB about 12 weeks. You spend the last week doing paperwork and the first week doing nothing which kills 2 weeks. Plus there needs to be more patrolling.

 

[Teufel]

Yes. I don't think officers and lat movers are required to attend pre-BRC but that may have changed.

 

[Teufel]

My ABOLC classmate said failing the E Course was an indictment on the Marine Officer's individual preparation because they had IOC Prep which consisted of a month to six weeks of reporting for PT in the morning and then having the whole day to work out after that.

I know the female officers were given time to work out and prepare themselves for IOC. We never used to get that when I went through. They may have changed things when they started sending female officers through.

 

[HOLLiS]

I know the female officers were given time to work out and prepare themselves for IOC. We never used to get that when I went through. They may have changed things when they started sending female officers through.

The Corps has changed a lot over the years. A friend and I talked about those changes last night. The Corps seems to be changing away from it's grunt heritage. The current Sgt Major does not have a CAR, was a example. Marines are warriors first, but PC attitude is changing that.

 

[Ooh-Rah]

The current Sgt Major does not have a CAR

I was initially surprised by this, but then did a little Googling and found it not to be as uncommon as I had expected. Prior to Sgt. Major Green (who does have two degrees in cyber warfare) , earning a CAR seemed to be a prerequisite up until 1999 when Sgt. Major McMichael was appointed. Following him was Sgt. Major Estrada (no CAR and hand picked by President Obama Bush), then Sgt. Majors Kent and Barrett, who did have one.

I won't go so far as to say a Sgt. Major of The Marine Corps cannot be effective and relate to his Marines without that particular ribbon, but it does stand out to me that General Amos, former Commandant of the Marine Corps , did not have a CAR and was (un?)arguably the most disliked and out-of-touch CMC in recent Corps history. <think Pee-Gate, issues w/his resume/battles with the Marine Corps Times, ect>

ETA: Sgt. Major Estrada was nominated by Bush, not Obama. He stepped down in 2007 - no reason given, but he immediately began campaigning for Obama over McCain - Thanks Deathy for the note.

 

[Gunz]

I am just going to say that I took a screenshot of all the Marines talking about how hard it wasn't.

None of those candy-asses had to do mess duty. Nothing like a week in the galley to separate the men from the boys.

I won't go so far as to say a Sgt. Major of The Marine Corps cannot be effective and relate to his Marines without that particular ribbon, but it does stand out to me that General Amos, former Commandant of the Marine Corps , did not have a CAR and was (un?)arguably the most disliked and out-of-touch CMC in recent Corps history.

The flag-raising on Iwo Jima epitomizes to me the heart and soul of the Corps: five Marine riflemen (one of them para-qualified) and their Navy Corpsman. Marines are shock troops, first and foremost, and the other elements and MOSs have always been in support of that infantry spearhead. We are all about engaging the enemy on the ground with whatever organics we can carry on our backs. No disrespect intended to non-03 Marines, all have critical support functions...but grunts are the lifeblood of the Corps. A Commandant or SgtMaj of the Marine Corps, in my biased opinion, should be blooded, or at least share the MOS of the majority of those in his command.

 

[mac21]

None of those candy-asses had to do mess duty. Nothing like a week in the galley to separate the men from the boys.

This candy-ass spent a few weeks on mess duty.

 

[Gunz]

This candy-ass spent a few weeks on mess duty.

Good for you. Did you get your KAB...Kitchen Assault Badge?

 

[mac21]

Good for you. Did you get your KAB...Kitchen Assault Badge?

With gold star in lieu of second award.

 

[Marine0311]

Good for you. Did you get your KAB...Kitchen Assault Badge?

I did multiple tours.

 

[Centermass]

The final tally for April 19th:

The fourth and final coed RTAC class has just a few more days left.

61 women started this last RTAC iteration, and 7 passed.

The last 'drop' event, the 6 mile foot march, was this morning.

Of the 138 female soldiers that attempted RTAC, 19 passed all requirements and were granted a seat in Ranger Class 6-15.

Of the 19, 1 (from the original 5 from the first class) has reportedly VWd, leaving 18 to report to Ranger School on 19 April. Class 6-15 starts 20 April, and graduates on 19 June.

Recycles could be in school through October. Each Ranger student can recycle each phase for peers, sports reports or patrols.

RAP week takes the biggest toll in RS. Current standards: 49 PU, 59 SU, 5 miles in 40 min, 6 chinups, 15m swim, slide for life, log walk rope drop, 4 of 5 points in 5 hours w/1 retest, 12 miles w/ 45# in 3 hours.

 

[ThunderHorse]

Link for source?

 

[Centermass]

Link for source?

Another Ranger (Ret CSM) who is overwatching the entire program.

Good enough?

 

[Teufel]

Another Ranger (Ret CSM) who is overwatching the entire program.

Good enough?

apparently www.rangerbuddy.com

 

[ThunderHorse]

Another Ranger (Ret CSM) who is overwatching the entire program.

Good enough?

Not when I'm wanting to use it as evidence in a discussion.

 

[AWP]

Not when I'm wanting to use it as evidence in a discussion.

Do what you want, but Centermass is either a former RI or knows many former cadre....maybe both. I don't believe anyone on this board has found an instance of the man talking out of his ass where Ranger School is concerned.

 

[x SF med]

apparently www.rangerbuddy.com

Sir, Lancelot Link is a Secret Chimp, and so is the link in your post

 

[RetPara]

I get the feeling centermass and I are in the same group in facebook or another board. I served at Regt with the CSM in the over watch mode. He will raise the BS flag if needed.