Desert Phase

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M60
Ranger
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Joined: February 5th, 2010, 8:25 am

Desert Phase

Post by M60 »

Guys,

When I went to Ranger school there was no desert phase (1977). I understand desert phase was phased out around '95, but when did it begin?

M60
1/75 Co. A, 2nd Plt, Weapons squad. 1975-1977

I still miss my old M-60. She was heavy and could be temperamental, but I loved that gun...
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Jim
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Re: Desert Phase

Post by Jim »

M60 wrote: I understand desert phase was phased out around '95, but when did it begin?
Actually, my class had the initial Desert Phase. 13-71. When Florida was compete, we all returned to Benning and had a graduation ceremony. Volunteers went to White Sands; so technically the first students were already Ranger qualified, Note that 13-71 has two photos.
Ranger Class 13-71
Advisor, VN 66-68 69-70
42d Vn Ranger Battalion 1969-1970
Trainer, El Salvador 86-87
Advisor, Saudi Arabian National Guard 91, 93-94
75th RRA Life Member #867
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M60
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Joined: February 5th, 2010, 8:25 am

Re: Desert Phase

Post by M60 »

Well, when I went to Ranger school in 1977, from 1/75 we had no desert phase. Just the standard three, Benning, mountain and Florida. WTF?

M60
1/75 Co. A, 2nd Plt, Weapons squad. 1975-1977

I still miss my old M-60. She was heavy and could be temperamental, but I loved that gun...
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Jim
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Joined: March 8th, 2005, 10:48 am
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Re: Desert Phase

Post by Jim »

M60 wrote:Well, when I went to Ranger school in 1977, from 1/75 we had no desert phase. Just the standard three, Benning, mountain and Florida. WTF?

M60
I suspect it was a matter of resources (funding).
Ranger Class 13-71
Advisor, VN 66-68 69-70
42d Vn Ranger Battalion 1969-1970
Trainer, El Salvador 86-87
Advisor, Saudi Arabian National Guard 91, 93-94
75th RRA Life Member #867
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Jim
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Re: Desert Phase

Post by Jim »

I went back and looked at my class photo. It looks like less than half the class volunteered. None of the foreign students.

On deeper reflection, 1977 was a time where resources were very low for TRADOC. I was in the IOAC that year, and we had our transportation and fuel supplies reduced. We did not have any weapons qualification due to ammo constraints.
Ranger Class 13-71
Advisor, VN 66-68 69-70
42d Vn Ranger Battalion 1969-1970
Trainer, El Salvador 86-87
Advisor, Saudi Arabian National Guard 91, 93-94
75th RRA Life Member #867
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M60
Ranger
Posts: 30
Joined: February 5th, 2010, 8:25 am

Re: Desert Phase

Post by M60 »

Thanks Jim. It was rather Spartan back then.

M60
1/75 Co. A, 2nd Plt, Weapons squad. 1975-1977

I still miss my old M-60. She was heavy and could be temperamental, but I loved that gun...
User avatar
Jim
Rest In Peace Ranger
Posts: 21935
Joined: March 8th, 2005, 10:48 am
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: Desert Phase

Post by Jim »

M60 wrote:It was rather Spartan back then.
Get ready for another Spartan era unless Congress gets its act together.
Ranger Class 13-71
Advisor, VN 66-68 69-70
42d Vn Ranger Battalion 1969-1970
Trainer, El Salvador 86-87
Advisor, Saudi Arabian National Guard 91, 93-94
75th RRA Life Member #867
User avatar
M60
Ranger
Posts: 30
Joined: February 5th, 2010, 8:25 am

Re: Desert Phase

Post by M60 »

Yeah, fat chance that. Watch for flying pigs...

M60
1/75 Co. A, 2nd Plt, Weapons squad. 1975-1977

I still miss my old M-60. She was heavy and could be temperamental, but I loved that gun...
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Maggot275
Ranger
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Joined: April 16th, 2005, 8:36 am

Re: Desert Phase

Post by Maggot275 »

I was in the very last Desert Phase class 07-95, yeah I know I graduated 08-95 I liked Mountains Phase so much. Guys that recycled went back to Darby day one.
Attack CO 2/75 01/94-12/98
Ranger Class 08-95

I then asked the Lord: "Why was there only one set of footprints?"
He answered: "The terrain was beginning to constrict and our hit time was coming close. So I put us in a Ranger file."

VII
XXII
MMV
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