Should I volunteer for RASP unprepared, or decline the offer and train up?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Dec 2021 12:59:25 -0500

It may seem like a potentially obvious answer, but I just need some help. Here’s the background for this question:

Recently, to any of you that have been keeping tabs on me through RP, my request to transfer from reserve to active duty was approved. In January, I will be attending 92Y AIT. I found out that Fort Lee has recruiters for the 75th Ranger Regiment, and that they host daily PT to prepare those soldiers for Ranger Assessment and Selection (RASP). I decided I would volunteer when I got there to challenge myself as much as possible. I spoke briefly with the Ranger LNO this morning about this, and here is what he outlined.

Because Ranger PT is only for soldiers going to RASP, I would have to attend a RASP brief and sign a volunteer statement to volunteer for selection. He would then screen it, and tell me if I qualified. Now, this was my goal, to begin with, but I was planning on volunteering for airborne school, getting to my unit, and training up from there. But now the opportunity is right here in my face, but I’m not as prepared as I could be. The humility of it burns like a branding iron. I’ll make sure I never forget this feeling.

I might not be as prepared as I could be now, but after 8 weeks of PT focused on helping candidates, as well as using the time I have before I report to AIT, I *at least* stand a chance. The worse thing that happens is I get hurt, or not selected. That’s a lot better than the regret of not going at all, or not even trying. Right? Anyways, here’s my question:

Should I show up unprepared at my own peril? With the risk to reward being, at a minimum, I get to say I went through some of the hardest training the army has to offer? Or, do I decline and invest the time when I get to my duty station in becoming the best candidate I can be? Am I looking at this the wrong way? Is this the wrong mindset to have? Am I a complete soup sandwich?

Thank you all for your precious time. I look forward to learning from your answers.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2021 1:00 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Dec 2021 13:00:15 -0500

error in the title. It's supposed to read:

Complacency: The Plague to Greatness

Should I volunteer for RASP unprepared, or decline the offer and train up?

Sorry about that!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2021 1:24 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Dec 2021 13:24:59 -0500

Train up for it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2021 1:35 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Dec 2021 13:35:49 -0500

You'll never be ready. There's no such thing as being ready for RASP. The whole point is to push you past your breaking point and see who quits. You'll never be prepared enough and if you wait to be prepared you'll never go.

Response by CPL Nicholas Foley made Mar 16 at 2022 2:31 PM

CPL Nicholas Foley — Wed, 16 Mar 2022 14:31:53 -0400

Prepare as much as possible with long rucks and long runs. You will be tested on 5 mile run and 12 mile ruck but that level of endurance is needed to get through RASP in general. Land navigation and morning PT will test your endurance so if you are not comfortable completing those events in respectable times , then you are probably also not ready to endure the many other events that come along the way.