Posted on Oct 20, 2014
Guidance and packing list suggestions for Ranger School during winter season?
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Before S3 gets me my ATRRS slot, I need to have my packing list. I figure while I'm shopping for those items this week I should start making a list and start adding some of the recommended items as well. For those who have went through Ranger School during the winter, what would you suggest I bring on the recommended list and which items could I do without? Specifics appreciated.
As for guidance; what is some wisdom outside of the norm that a young enlisted soldier should know? Hoping to hear personal experiences from those who have recently gone through and those who are graduating in the coming cycles. Thank you Rally Point.
As for guidance; what is some wisdom outside of the norm that a young enlisted soldier should know? Hoping to hear personal experiences from those who have recently gone through and those who are graduating in the coming cycles. Thank you Rally Point.
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Ranger School
Ranger School
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 5
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Socks are going to be very important....best socks I've found are the "darn tough - Vermont" socks...you can get them in several colors (to include black and olive)...they run about $26 a pair but well worth it. Don't skimp on the headlamp either, go ahead and spend the money to get a good one with a good o-ring seal. Also, for what its worth, Ranger Joe's & Commando's (off Victory Drive) both keep a current packing list and most kit you'll need if you happen to get there and need something.
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CMSgt James Nolan
CSM Michael J. Uhlig Cannot speak to Ranger School, but can absolutely speak to DARN TOUGH socks. Love them. Best socks I have ever had. Period.
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You won't hear from those who are graduating in the coming cycles because if you're on your eight hour pass after Darby you're too busy stuffing your face and trying to sleep- and that's your only pass until two days before graduation.
I'm not sure how your class is going to handle this (because even my class didn't have one standard) but bring the ninjas, the silkweights, whatever you want to call them. When I was in Darby they told me I had to put them in the unauthorized bag, never to be seen again. The other companies didn't have this restriction so later in Mountains half of my buddies would sneak the silks on when the RIs weren't looking. Maybe it was better that I didn't have them anyway... get caught doing that and you can recycle/drop.
Learn the Creed. Now.
Never, no matter how strong the temptation, never rat-fuck your MREs. Just don't do it. Don't sell MREs, don't buy them... just do what you're supposed to do.
Bring at least four watch caps.
Bring exactly 70 pieces of gum. Even if you don't chew it, you will at school. It took me about 2-3 weeks after graduation to stop chewing gum (I've never been a big gum chewer).
Okay, now that I've mentioned the important things, let me look at the packing list on RTB's website... updated 18 August...
You can never have too many map markers. Yours will disappear. Keep them secret, keep them safe.
Trash bags- I was a hero for bringing the only legit contractor bags in my platoon. During the run to CWSA everyone else's bags were dropping shit everywhere. Try searching Husky 42-Gallon Contractor Bags on Amazon.
A leatherman would be extremely useful. I had my Gerber multitool 550 corded to me the whole school- that way people could borrow it but only if they stayed within 4 feet of me.
Q-tips- went through a lot of these when cleaning weapons.
Liner, field jacket- AKA Smoker's jacket- this thing will be your best friend in the winter. You must acquire one.
Terrain model kit- if you want to be the go-to guy for TMK during the OPORD process, bring one of these. Lots of colored yarn would be useful. Be creative.
As for guidance: as a young enlisted Soldier you probably won't be made squad leader on your first few patrols in Darby or PL in Mountains and Florida, but that doesn't mean you should ignore the orders process. I saw a number of E-4's get made PL or PSG after they failed as SL. The RI's like to challenge you on your second or third patrol to see if you can handle the pressure.
When you're PSG, don't get crazy on the LOGPAC. Nothing is worse than having a shitty PSG at night because the next morning you'll be carrying a whole combat load of 7.62 in addition to what the previous weapons squad didn't expend.
For God's sake, pass RAP week. Just know that once you pass that 12 miler, the fun really begins. But take solace in the fact that the zero-tolerance-for-failure events are over.
Find someone at your current duty station who can teach you one rope bridge. You can be that guy in Florida who saves your squad from looking like jackasses because your bridge rehearsal took two hours. It's easy, really- learn a slip figure 8 and the rest is cake. Just learn it now when you're not dead tired and droning. Hell, learn all the knots- figure 8, re-routed figure 8, Swiss seat, clove hitch, square knot. There are more but I learned 15 at Jungle School so I don't want to tell you the wrong ones.
If you have any other questions don't hesitate to ask.
As payment for advice given I expect a full SITREP as soon as you graduate or fail. Let me know how they dealt with females in the course, if that in fact has happened by the time you go. Also I expect a full report on whether you preferred blueberry pancakes or French toast more. You'll know what I mean later. Good luck, God speed, RLTW.
I'm not sure how your class is going to handle this (because even my class didn't have one standard) but bring the ninjas, the silkweights, whatever you want to call them. When I was in Darby they told me I had to put them in the unauthorized bag, never to be seen again. The other companies didn't have this restriction so later in Mountains half of my buddies would sneak the silks on when the RIs weren't looking. Maybe it was better that I didn't have them anyway... get caught doing that and you can recycle/drop.
Learn the Creed. Now.
Never, no matter how strong the temptation, never rat-fuck your MREs. Just don't do it. Don't sell MREs, don't buy them... just do what you're supposed to do.
Bring at least four watch caps.
Bring exactly 70 pieces of gum. Even if you don't chew it, you will at school. It took me about 2-3 weeks after graduation to stop chewing gum (I've never been a big gum chewer).
Okay, now that I've mentioned the important things, let me look at the packing list on RTB's website... updated 18 August...
You can never have too many map markers. Yours will disappear. Keep them secret, keep them safe.
Trash bags- I was a hero for bringing the only legit contractor bags in my platoon. During the run to CWSA everyone else's bags were dropping shit everywhere. Try searching Husky 42-Gallon Contractor Bags on Amazon.
A leatherman would be extremely useful. I had my Gerber multitool 550 corded to me the whole school- that way people could borrow it but only if they stayed within 4 feet of me.
Q-tips- went through a lot of these when cleaning weapons.
Liner, field jacket- AKA Smoker's jacket- this thing will be your best friend in the winter. You must acquire one.
Terrain model kit- if you want to be the go-to guy for TMK during the OPORD process, bring one of these. Lots of colored yarn would be useful. Be creative.
As for guidance: as a young enlisted Soldier you probably won't be made squad leader on your first few patrols in Darby or PL in Mountains and Florida, but that doesn't mean you should ignore the orders process. I saw a number of E-4's get made PL or PSG after they failed as SL. The RI's like to challenge you on your second or third patrol to see if you can handle the pressure.
When you're PSG, don't get crazy on the LOGPAC. Nothing is worse than having a shitty PSG at night because the next morning you'll be carrying a whole combat load of 7.62 in addition to what the previous weapons squad didn't expend.
For God's sake, pass RAP week. Just know that once you pass that 12 miler, the fun really begins. But take solace in the fact that the zero-tolerance-for-failure events are over.
Find someone at your current duty station who can teach you one rope bridge. You can be that guy in Florida who saves your squad from looking like jackasses because your bridge rehearsal took two hours. It's easy, really- learn a slip figure 8 and the rest is cake. Just learn it now when you're not dead tired and droning. Hell, learn all the knots- figure 8, re-routed figure 8, Swiss seat, clove hitch, square knot. There are more but I learned 15 at Jungle School so I don't want to tell you the wrong ones.
If you have any other questions don't hesitate to ask.
As payment for advice given I expect a full SITREP as soon as you graduate or fail. Let me know how they dealt with females in the course, if that in fact has happened by the time you go. Also I expect a full report on whether you preferred blueberry pancakes or French toast more. You'll know what I mean later. Good luck, God speed, RLTW.
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Bring extra of just about everything and especially boots. And all the other stuff I said.
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