Ranger School in the National Guard

Three phases and 62 days of hell. This section named in honor of MAJ John Whyte who was taken from us on 04/17/05.
MSchrute95
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Ranger School in the National Guard

Post by MSchrute95 »

Rangers,

I am interested in enlisting in the Army National Guard, specifically C co 1-143 Airborne Infantry in Rhode Island. The unit is paired with the 173rd and the recruiter has told me that they receive many slots for Ranger School. I am looking at a 3 year initial contract as an E4.

I was hoping the Rangers of this forum who have served with the unit or are familiar with it could offer a third party non biased perspective.

What is the combat deployment optempo like for the unit? Does the entire company get the opportunity to deploy to warzones whenever the 173rd does or are they solely an augmenting force?

Realistically, what are my chances of getting the opportunity to attend Ranger School in my initial 3 years with the unit? How realistic is it to hope to attend Ranger School in your initial enlistment with the ARNG infantry in general?

Thank you.
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Disinfertention
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Re: Ranger School in the National Guard

Post by Disinfertention »

I think the top question here: What are your military goals? You recently graduated college but you are interested in enlisting in the guard. Why? You are qualified for a bit more than that. What is the endstate here?

I will standby for you goals overall but I admit these questions are a bit outside what I can answer.
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MSchrute95
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Re: Ranger School in the National Guard

Post by MSchrute95 »

Ranger Disinfertention,

Thank you for taking the time to respond. Apart from the overall desire to serve, my main goal in the Guard would be to learn as much as I can and to attend Ranger School. Deploying is a goal too but from what I gather about today's current climate, I should be prepared for the possibility of serving as best I can in the Guard without ever getting the opportunity to deploy overseas. I figured an airborne infantry company like C co 1-143 would be an excellent place to start and learn the basics of soldiering and hopefully achieve my stated goals.

I am interested in the Guard and the reserve components of the military in general since it affords the best opportunity to both serve the country that I owe so much and to also pursue a career of my own.
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Jim
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Re: Ranger School in the National Guard

Post by Jim »

Years ago, The Army Staff supported creating pre-Ranger training for ARNG soldiers. It proved successful, and it has continued. You will attend BCT, AIT, and pre-Ranger before you go to Ranger School. If you have questions, please go to the Fort Benning web page. Never, never quit!
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Re: Ranger School in the National Guard

Post by Disinfertention »

Ranger Jim gives some great advice here - make sure to read into it. I can't give you specific advice as not many who come this way look at that option. But as Jim points out it is definitely possible as long as you strive for that.

When you show up at your unit, declare your goals and what you want to provide. Hopefully they will give you a roadmap to follow to achieve your goals in the Guard.

I would ask you keep us posted to your progress and ask any follow on questions here too. It will be great information for anyone else behind you who wants to do the same thing.
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Re: Ranger School in the National Guard

Post by MSchrute95 »

Ranger Jim and Ranger Disinfertention,

Understood, I will continue to research the Guard's pre-Ranger (called RTAC I believe) and continue to explore this forum to gather anything I may have missed about Guard soldiers attending Ranger School. Thank you both for your advice and time, it is very much appreciated.
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Re: Ranger School in the National Guard

Post by MSchrute95 »

Ranger Vossman,

Thank you for that response, I will check online to see if there is a direct line to C co 1-143's readiness NCO or just call the unit and see how much they'd be willing to answer. Thanks again!
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Re: Ranger School in the National Guard

Post by Jim »

Noticed you were on the site today, what did you learn from the unit training / readiness NCO?
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Re: Ranger School in the National Guard

Post by MSchrute95 »

Ranger Jim,

I apologize for the late response. I've been doing some digging online for C co's readiness NCO but so far could only find the readiness NCO for one of 1-143's mortar platoons in Texas. I will keep looking for contact information for either a readiness NCO or OIC and I am reaching out to my recruiter as to how I would go about setting up a visit to the unit.
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Re: Ranger School in the National Guard

Post by MSchrute95 »

Ranger Vossman,

I'm only a 2 hour drive from the unit and will be in their area this weekend anyway. I'll gladly stop by but does it work like that? Would they even let me in the base or speak with the readiness NCO?
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Re: Ranger School in the National Guard

Post by Disinfertention »

I wouldn't think so. These fine gents may think you are currently in the Guard.

Check your goal priorities and it should answer your question. If it looks like this: 1. Join the NG 2. Go to Ranger School... you are ok. If those are flipped you have the wrong attitude in my opinion. This is like putting your underwear on over your pants. You're going to get laughed at at best and at worst... cussed out.

Talk to your recruiter about it. Let that person generate contact with the NG Unit for you. I know the Guard is a unique beast but I wouldn't think civilians walking into a unit off the street asking to go to Ranger School would fly.
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Re: Ranger School in the National Guard

Post by Disinfertention »

Really great advice right there. Thanks for filling in some of my blanks, Voss.
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