Posted on May 17, 2018
If I were to branch Armor and become a Cavalry scout, how much of a necessity is the Ranger tab?
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Going into my junior year of ROTC as a contracted CDT so I’ve been evaluating all my potential options. Armor and infantry are at the top of my list of branches. I know the tab is crucial as an infantry officer. Thank for all feedback.
Officer
Cavalry
ROTC
Infantry
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 18
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Unfortunately you won’t become a cavalry scout if you commission. That MOS is for enlisted only. However, you can become an armor officer and get the priviliage to serve as a scout platoon leader. For this position a Ranger tab would be benificial because the job that we do. Scout platoons usually break up and maneuver in sections. If Ranger school is not an option while completing A-BOLC at Ft benning, the next best school for young armor branch officers is the Army reconnaissance course. Keep in mind if you choose armor you spend your entire career on a tank or a Bradley unless you can get the qualifications from airborne, Ranger, arc, arslc, or clc. If you find yourself in a classroom that teaches maneuver tactics like the Bradley or tank commanders course you will be identified by your branch manager as preficient in the HBCT world; plan on being on one.
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MAJ James Woods
He could still become a Scout PL then a Cav Troop Commander responsible for reconnaissance operations of 19D Scouts and supporting mortars. An airborne, Ranger, ARC, ARSLC, CLC are not pre-requisites for getting assigned to an Armored Recon Squadron or Cav Squadron. Those schools are benefits but not essential. Today's AR officer can find themselves commanding troops from an Abrams, Bradley, MRAP, M-ATV, Stryker, and one day the next generation of vehicles (MPF, GMV, and LRV). He's won't be limited just because he was commissioned Armor.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
MAJ James Woods - At battalion level and above, Infantry and Armor Officers are interchangeable in Armored or Mechanized Task Force or Brigade Combat Teams. While there was still a value placed on a Ranger Tab, as a Combat Engineer in a Mechanized Division, there didn't seem to be the emphasis placed on it like in the Light Infantry Units.
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MAJ James Woods
CPT Lawrence Cable You do know that wasn’t always the case. Before Force XXI reorganization, that wasn’t allowed with minor exceptions in legacy brigades. When Stryker BCTs were initially formed line officer positions were coded IN only for a few years. BCT transformation happened again creating 02A positions that allowed combat MOS interchangeability. Bottomline, I served long enough to see the combat brigades doctrinally reorganized four times.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
MAJ James Woods - Yes, I enlisted in 1982 and went through two doctrine changes as Infantry (Light), and I was involved in the major change in Divisional Engineer structure when they a full Engineer Brigade down to the Division. The Force XXI was implemented just after I went IRR. That change in the codes was one of the more logical things that the Army did while I was around. If you are going to fight a mixed Task Force or Brigade Combat Team, you have to know the capabilities and how to use your available Combat Power.
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It isn't. That being said, schools like Ranger put a giant gold star on your resume and you should always be trying to add those kinds of new and valuable skills to your tool bag.
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I can only encourage you to secure that coveted tab. Regardless of you immediate military/political situation a Ranger tab will only add to your credibility. I have personally witnessed Ranger tabs in many different types of organizations. I think the Ranger tab, along with the SF tab, scream competent person here. Go for it.
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