What is the best way to prep for IBOLC and Ranger?

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Dec 2020 12:17:42 -0500

I recently branched AD Infantry. I am in already in good physical shape and can run the <40 5 miles. I was wondering how do I prepare for the academic side and which FMs I should browse. I am also female and was wondering if that made a difference.

Response by SFC Raymond Verduzco made Dec 26 at 2020 12:23 PM

SFC Raymond Verduzco — Sat, 26 Dec 2020 12:23:27 -0500

Get yourself a Ranger Handbook. Thats the publication you'll be living by in school.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2020 12:57 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Dec 2020 12:57:05 -0500

There is no female standard, all the standards are the same. But as a female you're at a higher risk for stress fractures in the femur and hip area so start rucking heavy as far out as possible and load up on calcium. The idea is to build your bones up as much as possible because your body will start eating your fat, muscle, and bone when you go into starvation mode. Think, female athlete triad, at its most extreme for at least two month, longer if you recycle.

The ARTB website has the skill level one tasks you'll be tested on in RAP week. Study those because if you don't pass RAP week, you don't get in. Statistically, most failures happen at that point.

Rucking... You need to be able to do the EIB standard ruck. But it will be in sand and you'll have two hours of sleep. There are gates they close at certain periods so you have to keep ahead of the pace, you can't fall back and catch up later. You should be walking at a 12 min mile pace normally if you want to pass. Same thing for the 5 mile run. It's down hill then back up and you'll be on zero sleep and very little food. You need to be able to pass your 5 mile at around 35 minutes or less normally.

Ruck heavy and start now. You don't have to walk fast but there are days where you'll be carrying 120 pounds all day, up the side of mountains and through swamps with mud that goes up past your boots. In practicing rucking heavy you're trying to develop your tendons and ligaments, not your muscles. Don't go up more than 10% in weight or distance in a week. Preferably about 10% a month. I would recommend that you're rucking at least once a week with at least 65 pounds every week, for six months before your ligaments are ready for Ranger school..

Academically, as an officer you're going to be familiar with OPORDS by the time you get to Ranger school. About the only academic thing that might help is if you can call for fire. Everything else is in your Ranger handbook which is physically on you at all times.

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Dec 26 at 2020 1:13 PM

LTC Eugene Chu — Sat, 26 Dec 2020 13:13:37 -0500

1. Find recent IBOLC graduates and talk to them about their experience for insight
2. Watch some reputable YouTube clips on preparing for Ranger School

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Dec 26 at 2020 3:44 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sat, 26 Dec 2020 15:44:52 -0500

Lady you will meet the standards of those courses or go home. Not sure at IBOLC, but get a Ranger Handbook for Ranger school. Covers almost everything, and works will in the IN.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 26 at 2020 5:12 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 26 Dec 2020 17:12:49 -0500

Understand OPORDs.
Understand various movement techniques.
Understand contact drills.
Understand Troop Leading Procedures.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2020 11:01 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Dec 2020 23:01:11 -0500

You will have classes on everything you are expected to do at Ranger school, but you will be receiving those classes on 1-2 hours of sleep each night. The majority of your mental stamina in the classes will be spent just trying to stay awake. KNOW THE RANGER HANDBOOK BEFOREHAND!

If you have the option, go through the Warrior Training Center (WTC) Ranger Training Assessment Course (RTAC), or a similar post/unit pre-Ranger course. When I went through RTAC, the cadre said students that passed RTAC had an 86% pass rate for Benning phase of Ranger school. This first phase is typically where you see the most attrition, so clearing that hurdle will ultimately set you up for success.