Gentlemen,
First off, I'm a long time lurker here, this is my first post as this topic is really the only thing I've been qualified to address in this forum.

Atilla,
I'm an 11A in the pipeline at Benning. I would recommend grabbing up an ABN slot as a CDT. Currently, there is a HUGE backlog of LTs coming out of IBOLC due to the addition of BOLC II stressing the Army's personnel system and causing LT's to wait months for basic school slots post-commissioning. I had to wait until OCT to get into BOLC II after commissioning in MAY, I didn't start IBOLC until late NOV. As a caveat, I would add that this advice may be irrelevant if the Army decides to drop BOLC II and/or finds some way to fix the backlog of LT’s waiting for RGR.

RGR this year has been pretty tough, and there have been a whole bunch of recycles and failures. Mainly, there were two classes in which there were a tremendous amount of land nav failures, and it created a huge backlog in the system. The last RGR class to go through admin dropped 140 Rangers the 2nd day of RAP (to include 79 IN LT's) who had already passed the RPFT and CWSA and had not failed any events. This was due to lack of room in the course; squads were standing at around 24 to 26 Rangers for those first few days. This was partly because of the amount of recycles from previous classes. We are now all waiting until 17 MAY for our chance to go again. Obviously, this has pushed everyone else back even farther down the list for slots.

What this means is that right now priority for future RGR slots is going to be given to those LT’s a) going light or ABN and b) who are already ABN qualified. The reasoning is that RGR is ideally the last school to hit before moving on, and they want to make sure that you get as qual'ed as possible before leaving if you do fail RGR. You only have 7 some odd months at the LTO before you must leave Benning, so you need to fit all schooling into that timeline. As of now, LT’s have one chance to go to RGR whereas before it was a 2 chance policy... if you get dropped for performance/LOM /get hurt you will go to ABN and then PCS without your tab. It’s happening to quite a few guys. It sucks, but that's life. Even if you do go to RGR right after IBOLC, with the wait to get into BOLCII/III you will likely be coming up on 1LT as soon as you get to your unit as it is. Getting our tabs is a must but you do not want to wait around Benning any longer than you have to, you want to get out and be a PL. Get your ABN done now, and you will move up the OML for RGR post-IBOLC, bottom line from my perspective here.

Update:
I found out this week that I will be participating in Robin Sage during June as a part of the JFKSW Platoon Leader Program. I am on an alternate list for BAS and AA. I am extremely excited about being given the opportunity to go to Sage, and look forward to absorbing as much as I can in my limited role as a G. For the soon to be QP's who I will have the pleasure of working with come June, I hope I do right by you guys.

On a side note, I also found out that next year I will be the Company First Sergeant for our Company (Should be a BN but our school's program is not that big) during the first LDP rotation, which makes me feel very honored especially since I have only been in the program for one semester. It feels really good to be noticed as a leader. Just wanted to keep you gents updated on my humble but steady progress.

if you have the option take Airborne school as a cadet over all other training, including Robin Sage G time. Going to ABN as a cadet will allow you to go to IOBC and straight to Ranger instead of waiting for ABN then RGR. The Robin Sage Guerrilla thing won't really help you IMHO as a BTDT guy. My G's turned out to be the support guys from the BN I ended up going to in GRP.

Bottom Line... Do Airborne. It's a pre-req. Air Assault is just another badge. Yes I went but it was as a cadet when I didn't really have anything else to do.

Your focus should be: 1. Graduate and get your commission (doing well at Lewis won't really matter in the long run). 2. Get Airborne as a cadet so you don't spend more time at Benning going to schools when you could be at your Unit gaining knowledge and experience. And 3. Focus on being a good platoon leader in your current unit because those are the troopers you will deploy with 1-2 times before you get a chance to go to SFAS.

If you worry about those things everything else will fall into place (with a little extra effort on your part.)

+1. Great advice.

I don't suppose an effective writing course is a consideration. Do you ever consider "Audience" before you post with this "Voice"? After reading your posts I feel like I need a shower. (its too late for the boots, save the watch!) I hope you don't talk like this. And OH lookie, Attila got what he was considering at the start of this thread despite of all the contrary advice offered by the members he beseeched. Attila you’ve never had any other intention, never truly considered the advice offered. You’ve just been waiting to talk. Oh to see you in five years, I wonder what your excuse will be for not going to the DetO course. I wonder what your reason will be for submitting your resignation. Thank you, I have a reason for living. :rolleyes:

Dozer,

As far as my voice, as a non QP on this site I have found that it is better to error on the side of ingratiation rather than on the side of overstepping my bounds which you know is a lesson I learned the hard way here.

As far as the advice, I spent all semester trying to set myself up for Airborne. When the slots came down (we only got two for the whole Company) I wasn't yet contracted so I was not eligible. I then contracted and signed up for summer school and was put on the alternate list for BAC. It was only at the last moment that my Mil Science Prof. came to me with the last hour slot for Robin Sage. Given the choice of doing nothing or doing something I chose something. Believe me I do wish that I was able to do what you gentlemen suggested but I am not in charge and that is not my choice. I am just making the best out of what I got, just like most other cadets and soldiers for that matter. I can assure you that there are some more chances for me to go to Airborne and I will be doing my best to make sure that I attend possibly during winter break after fall semester.

Sorry that to this time I have not met with your approval and I apologize that I did not respond to your earlier email no excuse for that, was just busy with school and what not, that was rude and I apologize. I do value all of the advice I receive from you gents and if it was in my power, I would implement and execute your advice to the T but it isn't.

Respectfully,
Atilla

Just my opinion, but I did exactly that (for different reasons) and in retrospect it didn't have a signficant effect on anything. The three weeks saved seem to get eaten up quickly while waiting for follow on courses to start and finish.

FWIW, I think Atilla did the smart thing by asking a relevent question of those that likely had the experience to give a qualified answer. I still think that given the opportunity, there's much to be gained by taking the training path less traveled and acquiring skills that may be useful in the future. In the end, Atilla's training program was decided for him, but the thread may be useful to others looking for similar advice in the future. It also goes to show that there are lots of roads (and opinions) that can wind up leading to the same destination.

Why do I bother? Oh well,
Atilla ref: "As far as my voice, as a non QP on this site I have found that it is better to error on the side of ingratiation rather than on the side of overstepping my bounds . . . If it were me to choose, I'd make sure I never did anything on the side of ingratiation. Have you ever noticed how similar the words ingratiate and ingratitude are?

Razor: Please don't encourage that ingratiation thing in the young.

Razor,

I agree. The scheduling of follow on schools does not always make sense. I personally graduated IOBC in FEB of 03 and expected to start Ranger in March. I was informed I didn't have a class date until May of 03 (Month delay because of Best Ranger Competition). Instead of just pulling SDO at the LTO office for 3 months I walked over to the Mortar Leader Course and reported for the next class. I didn't have a hard (or even standby slot), I just showed up when everybody else reported and I got into the class. Did the same thing with the Sniper Employment Officer Course once I finished the Mortar Course. Long term result was that I moved straight from my rifle platoon to the mortar platoon after OIF without having to go away to a school to get qualified.

Bottom Line: You can sit around for 3 months at Benning "waiting" for Ranger or you can be a self-starter and just show up for a school and get in. It's the same reason why guys on my ODA show up at SFARATEC and SOTIC and other schools and get in when they didn't even have a slot. Be a self starter and see what comes from it.

"Proactivity is the 1st Habit of Highly Successful People."

Zorro.

Zorro,

I like that advice very much. Will keep it in the tool bag for future employment.

Atilla

I think its a learned behavior from previous experiences; too bad we can't go back and fix them, huh?

But we DO try. It's the least and the most we can do, I suppose.

Gentlemen,

Just returned from participating in Robin Sage yesterday. I found it to be very worthwhile and I learned a great deal from the men I had the opportunity to work with. I know some of the advice i received stressed that I would not receive anything beneficial out of this training exercise, I have to humbly disagree. It helped a great deal from an ROTC perspective in reinforcing the TLP's and also quickly and efficiently drafting and briefing OPORD's. It also reinforced the idea that it doesn't matter how high speed you are the basics are what work. The SF students that I worked with reinforced that brilliance in the basics is what makes American Soldiers and especially Special Forces soldiers great. I also had the opportunity to see where the bar is and where I need to be a couple years from now to be able to live with, work with, and lead such exceptional men. This experience has proven to me that I have made the right decisions so far and that being an 18A in the future as absolutely what I want . I have no doubts and I will do everything I can to reach that end, which for now means soaking up as much leadership knowledge and technical skill as I can to be an effective PL. To the gents I worked with thank you for your example and thank you for confirming to me that I made the right decision. Next step busting my ass for accessions and getting Infantry. Viva la Pineland!

Oh Goodie! He's back.
And posting.
After reading this, I feel like I'm covered in Velvetta. The boots are a loss, save the watch!

Come on now he is still Wet behind the ears and all the sponges in TX will not dry them off........ Have the happy thought "There are a lot of flash floods in TX":D

Just kidding :rolleyes:Or NOT

We are were young and we survived to tell the tales. Who knows he may survive or be eaten in the process......Only the TAC's will know.....

He still has time to open his eyes and come out of his shell and become a Manly Man....Or Not....:munchin

Sometimes I say to myself, "Thank goodness there was no Internet when I was a lad." ;)

I can't please everyone. I will say that I feel like my favorite part of Robin Sage was being so tired that I was sleep walking, I haven't done that on a movement since Iraq and I loved it, made me feel like I am back doing the types of things that make me feel good. Can't wait to do it as a candidate and not just a guerilla someday. Maneuvering for Airborne over winter break. Dozer sorry to disappoint but I'm still alive and unprofessionally over respecting you all again.:lifter

If anyone reading this worked with "Teddy" out there or knows how to get ahold of him PM me please.

Update: Got a slot! Airborne is locked down and in crosshairs for winter break, one more 25m target about to be downed. Hope everyone is having an eventful Fall.:lifter
Also next PFT should bust 300, last one was 290 for anyone who cares, I quit smoking and I am hoping this will boost my run time as well as my overall health.

He's back, he's back! My life is complete!! (Sell my clothes, I'm goin' to Heaven)
Atilla, there is NO way you could ever disappoint me. You ALWAYS live up to my expectations.
With any luck there will be an snow and an icestorm. Hey, it delayed the inevitable for the Phillies!:p

See, Christmas came early this year!

TR

Dozer,

I am always happy to make your day more complete. I hope you having an especially good personal and professional fall season.

Always my best,
Atilla

P.S. Snow and Ice are no deterrents, have to be at least a class 5 natural disaster to make me blink.

And MY BIRTHDAY! All rolled into one.:D

Class 5 disaster? Don't be such a wuss. ;)

I said blink not flinch Dozer. Although interestingly enough i thought of a quick story that you may enjoy.

This summer i watched the SF candidates do some god awful stuff and not even bat an eyelash in pursuit of their tabs. Long movements with no sleep and no food while us G's were snacking on hidden supplies. Covering the watch cause we were to "stupid" to know how after their hellacious infil, which made us all immediately feel sorry for them. Smelling like amonia in the heat as their bodies ate themselves. No complaints, no gripes just a motivated attitude and a desire for their goal. As i said never batted and eyelash just embraced the suck and drove on... that is until the cadre TS decided to make a point to the guys.

He had an order sent down from "higher" stating that all personnel were to have clean shaves and high and tights so as to fit in with the local populace better. I tell you it was the funniest thing i have seen in a long time. They all damn near mutinied right there, they tried to wait him out hoping he wouldn't follow through or would forget about it. No dice, the G chief had me (do to my intimate experience with H&T's) administer said sentence while also instructing us G's to be insulted that the SF team was too good for haircuts like ours (all ROTC cadets). I felt so bad for them but it did reiterate something they eventually realized too. It is just hair and it that is what you have to do to complete the mission that is what you do.

I just thought of that thinking of someone standing in the face of hell and carnage and not batting an eyelash but losing their s*** when high an tights are ordered.

The things we hold onto for comfort, I know this was a bit off topic but I remember we used to be like this with hair too in the Marines, why do people get so attached to hair when they get a little salty, I have been guilty, just funny to me why it is always hair.

Back to HW and PT.

You post and all can hear is a dog whistle.
Proof read.

If you are reduced to telling your best Robin Sage story, we have indeed, sunk to a new low.

TR

TR Sir,

Sorry to disappoint, should have remembered there is no quarter given here but I suppose I'm not asking for any either.

I was trying to share one of my only stories that is pertinent to this site. I am sure I would draw even more fire if I started busting out Marine war stories.

Dozer,

The day I please you is the day the day of the rapture. I took a little literary license and I apologize.

Respectfully,
Atilla

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Atilla

Spare me. Hunter S. Thompson takes literary license. ee cummings takes literary license. One must be capable of stringing words together into intelligent sentences (capitalizing, using proper punctuation, correct spelling, not switching verb tenses) before one can claim literary license. You can't write; and won't even proofread your posts.
Just to be on the safe side, I'm going to switch to Atheism. I would rather be "standing in the face of Hell (capitol letter H) and carnage and not batting an eyelash" at the Rapture (Capitol letter R) then run the risk of being pleased by you.

Is there anyone else who thinks that this "Yo Gabba Gabba It's all about Me, ATILLA!:o Tee Hee" Thread should be closed?:confused:

Yes. It was marginally entertaining, but I have grown weary of it. :rolleyes:
Have to sign off now and go down to the Department of Verbiage to get my literary license renewed.

A request from QPs is good enough.

Done.

TR