Posted on May 5, 2019
What is the likelihood of getting Ranger School in the National Guard?
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What’s the likelihood and how can one in the NG in a infantry unit get a spot for ranger school, does it usually ever happen?
Ranger School
Infantry
Ranger
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 14
It is possible but extremely rear. It also depends on what type of unit you are in and your commands willingness to send you. In my 10 years in the guard I have heard of only one enlisted guy to try and he didn't make. More than not they aren't ready. You will have to go to RTAC first at Benning to even get a shoot at Ranger school. Also, you should come with a functioning knowledge of infantry operations. That is pretty rear to find the Guard.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
The chances depend on the state and the unit and if that unit is associated with an active component. Back in the 90's, 73 Brigade in Ohio was a Round Out Brigade for 10th Mountain and they had slots available for Company Grade Officers and Senior NCO's to attend Ranger School. Indiana has an LRS unit and Texas has an Airborne unit, both of which gets Ranger slots, so they are more common than you think, but as you pointed out, very unit specific, although some states use Airborne and Ranger school as a reward for Soldier of the Year. This soldier is Artillery, so that decreases his chance a lot in the Guard.
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CPT (Join to see)
CPT Lawrence Cable - The Guard is trying to increase the number of Ranger qualified Guardsmen. I worked for the National Guard Bureau trying to address. I was the Senior Trainer for the National Guard's Ranger Training and Assessment Course at Fort Benning. Just about all of the LRS units are gone now. TX does have Airborne but so does a few other states. What it really comes down to is if the State is willing to pay. The NGB is now trying to send Soldiers from Basic Training to Ranger School now. They are staying at Benning and training up for a few months for it. They know the States really don't try to send anyone and don't value it. I had an Ranger Qualified commander when I first commissioned in the Guard and went to Ranger School. I was the only officer to go from my state that year. I was also the only Ranger qualified LT in my Brigade. My state really didn't place it as a priority and on top of that so few were ready to really be successful there.
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You should have a chance "at some point" over your career to go Ranger. The best gauge of when that might be is with your Chain of Command. The thing with being in the Guard is each state may only budget to send but a handful of people every year, and they obviously want to send someone who's a lock to earn that tab. The best thing for you to do now is make sure you maintain as close to a 300 on your APFT as possible and master your 10 level skills. If you really want Ranger, you'll have to stay in your NCOs ear about it, that may take months, may take years. Just don't disappoint when you get the opportunity. Good luck.
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Lot's of NG get Ranger School slots. In fact, the NG has one of the best Pre-Ranger School programs.
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