75th Make Good SF?
 

Hello, I am currently a senior in high school about to sign a Ranger (Option 40) contract with the active duty Army (E3 pay grade) as an 11B. I am confident that I will be able to be a successful Ranger candidate. However, it has always been a aspiration of mine to join the SOCOM community, and I think I may perhaps wish to try out for Army SF someday.
However, I was wondering if former Rangers make good Special Forces soldiers, or are they really two different aspects of SOCOM that usually just stay separate? I have asked soldiers this, and they really can't answer since they aren't SF. I was hoping some QP's on here may have been former 75th that could answer this. Thanks in advance, and I hope I'm worthy enough someday to serve alongside those who dedicate their careers to the welfare of this great nation.

Since you enlisted to be a Ranger, just worry about being the best Ranger you can.
TSBIYF:D

Hello SPECTRE1,

Nicely articulated post. What you are asking is not really a question that plays one into another.
More likely, you can associate those who are motivated enough to do something that is difficult (and do it well) as being successful in doing other things that are also difficult - and doing THEM well.

The Rangers are part of SOF, but they do different things than Army Special Forces. Additionally, if the Rangers and Special Forces were both tasked to do the same thing, they would go about it very differently.

There is an old joke about Rangers and SF being ordered to take a hill....
The Rangers gathered their Battalion, planned their operation, laid on additional firepower, ran battle drills non-stop for 72 hours, refused to eat, did additional physical training and honed their marksmanship capabilities. Then they charged and secured the objective with 100% enemy killed and minimal friendlies wounded.

On a neighboring hill, a Special Forces A-Team was tasked with taking another hill...they went to their hooch, lit up cigars, drank some local hooch with the indig chief, and called up the Ranger BN. Mission still accomplished, just in a different way :D

Focus on your 25 meter target, enjoy cheerleaders, do well in school, keep yourself physically fit, remain mentally straight, and enjoy the experiences of learning to be a Soldier when the time comes.

THEN, learn to be an expert infantryman as a successful Soldier in the Rangers / Infantry / whatever you so choose. You may enjoy that lifestyle and mission profile. Should you find yourself wanting something different, then Special Forces may be an option for you to explore.

Bottom line, it isn't the unit you came from that makes you an exceptional choice for Special Operations, rather it is much the opposite...simply stated, Special Operations is made up of exceptional men who happen to be Soldiers.

HTH

Eagle

2nd post, FAQ, and no rebuke? What is this, the 'kinder, gentler' PS.com that I've heard about??? ;)

Hey, it's the holiday season..."We're gonna press on, and we're gonna have the hap...hap...happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny fucking Kaye."* ;)

As for Post#1 - there are many threads within this very Forum which already have the answers to that queston. Bottom line is - it depends on the individual. Now, enjoy the readings.

And so it goes...

Richard :munchin

* Clark Griswold

well MERRY F-ING X-MAS to you, too. I SHOUTED all the letters in "The Search Button Is Your Friend"!

Have you used the Search button yet, and read the threads there, or are you asking for personal attention?

TR

I think he wants some personal attention.

SPECTRE1 -

One of the finest SF soldiers I ever knew started his career as a cook. That's what I said, a simple cook. Was a fine cook, respectful to his pears, a job well done each and every day. When he went to the SSG/E6 board, the board Pres./SGM asked, "Sergeant, what would you have changed about your career thus far in the US Army?", His answer was, "Nothing Sergeant Major, my career so far has been everything I expected from the US Army."

"Sergeant. Is there anything you would like to ask the board before we conclude this review?" "Yes Sergeant Major, I would like the opportunity to attend the Special Forces Qualification Course conducted at Ft. Bragg, NC before my time in the United Stated Army is finished."

"Very well Sergeant, dismissed."

"Thank you Sergeant Major. Thank you board members."

Be the best you can be in all you do. Don't worry about finding us, if you possess attributes and attitudes that are in line with Special Forces, trust us, we will find you.

Its also cool, when a Special Forces soldiers leaves the regiment, finds himself as the BN SGM in the 25th Infantry, Hawawii, and sits as the board/pres for young NCO's coming up in the ranks.

What makes a good SF soldier
 

And I, Dusty and some others know a former Army trumpet player who was a shit hot commo sgt in SF and spent at least twenty of his years in service in SF.

I, myself, started my career in 1/75 and I believe it made me a better soldier.

It takes all kinds.

IMO an outstanding training regimen for an SF aspirant to undergo in order to ingrain proper combat patrolling habits as well as raid and ambush techniques is Ranger school; this will facilitate the performance-oriented training you may give to your students one day. You'll also learn whether you're tough enough for Selection in some areas such as mental and physical discipline.

In those aspects, and maybe more, I would say "Yes; Rangers can make good SF soldiers."

The sooner you learn that your body will do what your mind says to do the better whether Ranger school, band, cooking classes or wherever...

I, too, started out as a Ranger before going SF. The Rangers are & were the premier Infantry in the entire World. That being said, they are not Special Forces!

Start out as a Ranger and learn all that you can. Then if you still have a burning desire to be the best that the Army has to offer, try out for Special Forces.

Yes sir, I have used the search button and read the forum rules. It didn't appear as if this question was already asked when I looked. It appears that was a mistake, my apologies. No, I am hardly looking for personal attention, just an answer. My mistake, sorry.

And thank you to all who answered, I appreciate all of the information. Also, thanks for your service, we wouldn't be where we are without you.

First of all - pink font not available! - Hey! I don't want crap from someone who PAYS to have his Christmas lights put up!

Secondly, mea culpable for NOT knowing that TSBIYF meant 'The Search Button Is Your Friend'! I thought it meant 'Team Sergeant Brings It, You Fu#*ers!'. Cripes! I'm only a former enlisted man. We depend on you ossifers!

SPECTER,

Would a good high school football player make a good high school wrestler?

Does that help you relate?