Introduction-David

[atl456]

Hello Rangers,
My name is David, I’m a senior in high school and I live in the upstate of South Carolina. I have run cross country the past 3 years and am currently running track. I took 3 years of Navy JROTC in high school and I am an Eagle Scout.

I want to be a Ranger because I want to be surrounded by excellence and serve the greatest country on Earth. I’m not really a fan of high school, every day I think about how I don’t belong with these people. I feel like going to a state university would be a continuation of everything I don’t like about high school. Going to a private university would be too expensive and possibly not much better. I’ve read several books about the 75th Ranger Regiment including Violence of Action, Nick Irving’s The Reaper and Way of the Reaper, Dick Couch’s Sua Sponte and I just finished reading Lest We Forget by Leo Jenkins. These books have given me tremendous insight into life in the 75th Ranger Regiment and have definitely made me want to be a Ranger even more. I specifically want to be a Ranger medic because I’m taking anatomy and physiology this year and I find the subject interesting. I also want to have a MOS that could be applicable in the civilian world and I do consider myself a caring person.

I met with a recruiter last Thursday, I took the ASVAB indicator (I believe it’s called the EST) and got a 91 on it which my recruiter said that if I get that score on the real ASVAB I would qualify for almost every job. I went to the recruiter’s office today and my recruiter was able to look through the system but there were no 68W with an Option 40. The recruiters in the office were trying to tell me that I could go to Ranger School once I got to my unit and that I didn’t need an Option 40. From everything I’ve read on this website it is nearly impossible to go to RASP once you’re in a unit. I told them that I really want to be a Ranger and that I wouldn’t sign without an Option 40. My recruiter said that he would call higher up in the hopes of getting me the Option 40 once he received my high school transcript which he said would probably be early next week. The head recruiter asked me if I would settle for an Option 4 if the contract was available because being recruited into the Rangers while in Airborne School. I told him that I would definitely consider it.

My main question is would I be able to get a slot in RASP with a 68W Option 4 or should I hold out to get a 68W Option 40? The recruiters were telling me that 68W Option 40s are rare and I may never get that contract.

PT Scores:
Push Ups- 57
Sit Ups - 76
2 Mile Run – I’m pretty sure I have Achilles tendinitis from increasing my mileage too quickly. My friend was nice enough to let me use his brother’s sports club membership so I can swim. I ran about 4.5 miles yesterday and my Achilles tendon was still hurting so I’m probably going to take at least a few more days of running.
I will post my 2 mile time as soon as I can given my injury.

Thank you for taking time out of your day to help me,
-David

[Jim]

David, If you want to earn a place in the 75th Ranger Regiment, you came to the right site. We take pride in the fine young men who pass through armyranger.com in their life journey. Please begin by reading the FAQs as well as selected threads and stickies. Most questions you might have are already addressed. The search feature, located on the top right of this page is your friend. Look forward to your recovering your foot and completing the AFPT. If you want to earn a 68W Option 40, I recommend you PM Ranger Grimm666, as he is our 68W expert. Never, never quit!

[cams]

Welcome. If you want and qualify for 68WOPT40, stand your ground and train until you get it.

Recruiters are not your friend, no matter how friendly or helpful they may seem.

Talking to a recruiter is very much like talking to a used car salesman.

They have cars on the lot which the NEED to sell, much like recruiters having certain slots they NEED to fill. And although the used car salesman or the recruiter can get whatever "vehicle" or "contract" you want if they wait and actually try, they will lie to your face to get rid of what they have on hand.

Be patient, be firm, don't be fooled, and keep working on your PT.

If your recruiter says he can't get Opt40 for you, he's not trying hard enough, again be patient, or just leave and find a recruiter that will work with you.

I second Ranger Jim's advice about speaking with Ranger Grimm666 here on the site. Be patient, he'll be around sooner or later.

[atl456]

Thank you Ranger Jim and Ranger cams for the advice. I will PM Ranger Grimm666, not accept any contract with out an Option 40, keep working on my PT and read the stickies and selected threads as well as use the search function.

[Grim666]

PM Inbound

[CharlieRanger1FFV]

Welcome to the site, David.


RLTW!!!

[atl456]

SITREP:
I felt as though the recruiters at the recruiting office I originally went to weren't being honest with me and were kind of pressuring to join without the contract so I called the two next closest recruiting offices. The first one told me that I was looking for a unicorn and that he couldn't help me. The second person I called, whose office is about 40 minutes away, told me that it would be difficult but he could help me. I met with him yesterday and it turns out he is a tabbed Ranger and was a sniper with the 101st and he later served with the RTB, really great guy. He told me immediately that he wasn't going to bull shit me into anything and he considers himself a soldier on recruiting duty and not a recruiter. Many of the other people in the office had done the combat deployments as well, all of them seem like good guys.
They finished my packet and found that the other recruiting station had accidentally reserved a contract for me which used up one of my two times I can reserve a contract. I came back today with my social security card and birth certificate. They looked the at available MOSs with Option 40 but they were all support MOSs. The only one that interested me possibly was 92Y(Supply Specialist). I'm not going to rule any of them out, my ultimate goal is to serve with the 75th Ranger Regiment. They told me that the fiscal year started in October and it might me until then that more Option 40s are put out. The called "ROC" (US Army Recruiting Command) twice to see what they could do but none were available.
The senior NCO texted me just after I left saying "Look at the those jobs that the Ranger option is available in and I will check the system daily for one of the jobs that you really want(I also said I would take 11x or 13F with Option 40 if they were available), if the option 40 comes I will call you asap. I have someone working to get you one of those jobs with 40, will let you know if successful"
I think I'm in a lot better hands now. Any advice or comments would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

[Jim]

Excellent SITREP. I am encouraged that you have someone looking out for your best interests. Never, never quit!

[atl456]

SITREP:
I took the ASVAB yesterday and scored a 95 with a 129 GT score. Today the recruiters were able to pull some strings and said they went all the way up to the Department of the Army. They said that if I go to MEPS I am guaranteed either 68W, 13F, 11X, or 15W which were the MOSs I said I would take. I'm definitely going to push for the 68W though. They said the OPT 40's people drop in training don't go back into the computer system that recruiters can see but they will be able to get me one at MEPS if I can pass the airborne physical. I am going to MEPS Thursday and will get back Friday afternoon. Obviously if they try to pull anything on me at MEPS I'm going to stand my ground but it's looking good.

[atl456]

SITREP:
I went to MEPS Thursday and Friday. Thursday was pretty relaxed, I only took the personality test. It honestly felt more like a school field than processing into the military. Friday I took the physicals and all the tests and passed the airborne physical. I went to the Army liaison after that and told him that I was promised one of a few contracts with the option 40 if I passed the airborne physical. He had me sign a few papers basically saying the information was correct and I consent to the secret security clearance. He then told me that there was nothing in the system for me so he called the "ROC" and they were unable to get me anything. I then called my recruiter telling him the situation and he said he wasn't sure what went wrong. I told the liaison that I wouldn't take any other contracts. He didn't seem upset at all and pretty much told me to wait for what I want. I got a call about 20 minutes later from an E-8 from Columbus Georgia telling me that no Option 40s for those MOSs were available and to make sure I have a contract reserved next time, so I think the recruiters were trying everything because I have no idea why the guy called me.

[Jim]

Great SITREP, David. Continue to be patient. The slots are out there, let them come to you. Never, never quit!

[atl456]

Roger Ranger Jim.

[Jim]

Roger Ranger Jim.

David, another week has passed. Anything new? Never, never quit!

[atl456]

Ranger Jim, I called my recruiter Thursday asking to see if there were any new developments. He said he probably wouldn't be able to get me a 68W OPT 40 this fiscal year but he would call me if he saw it in the system. He basically said I could either wait until October 1st or do something else. I told him that I would think about it and get back to him. I think I'm going to wait until October and get the 68W OPT 40 and in the mean time get my fitness level as high as I can and take Anatomy & Physiology, Emergency Medical Care I, and maybe Biology over the summer at the local technical college which would probably help me in the Ranger Medic pipeline. The course schedules come out March 6th for the summer so I will know for sure what course are available and can enroll.

[Jim]

David, please keep us updated on your progress. If your recruiter is looking out for your best interests, you are fortunate. Never, never quit!