[blue02hd]

I'll keep this short and to the point.

Your path will be yours, as will the obstacles you find along the way. No one can tell you the best route as it is long, complicated at times, and personally demanding. As I have posted before, if you want something bad enough you'll find a way.

Now: I am a RGR pvt that found his way from a RGR Battalion, through the regular army infantry, to where I am now. The basic lessons and skills I learned as a private in Rgr Battalion served me very well as I pushed myself twenty years down the road. It was no easy day then, but the pain and work I endured as a private getting my ass smoked set me up for successes I experienced latter. The basic lessons of discipline and teamwork instilled there were unmatched by anything I have experienced since.

IF you make it through basic training at the top of your class, and IF you pass RASP (in my day it was called RIP or Ranger Indoctrination Program), then I think you will be MUCH better off to face SFAS and the Q than any other option out there. (Remember the odds are heavily against you ever donning a Green Beret at this moment.) I've never heard of a Batt Boy (Rgr) failing SFAS or the Q for lack of prior training, attitude yes, but not for lack of prior training.

One last comment; You offered a preference for By With and Through versus Direct Action, right? Even as an instructor and mentor you have to know what it is you are teaching those you will meet around the world. Basic infantry tactics are normally heavily weighted in Programs Of Instruction (POI's) that you will bring to our allies and friends around the world. Would you think a solid background from the RGR Bn would help here? Not Ranger School, not Sapper School aka "I wish I could pass Ranger School", but Ranger Bn? From my point of view and past experience it helped a great deal.

Good Luck with all you choose to do.