Introduction

Jamacee · Post by **Jamacee** » January 29th, 2005, 6:58 pm

Hello to all, my name is James, and I have recently discovered this site via the OCS portals.

I am 20 years old and a junior at the University of Maryland, where I am pursuing two degrees: a B.S. in Finance and a B.S. in Accounting. I currently work for a wealth management firm and have recently been considering my options as far as what I'd like to do after graduation.

For many years, I have been fascinated with all things military. I have tremendous respect for all members of the armed forces, but as far as seeing myself serve... it was really never an option. Instead, I focused on becoming the successful investment banker/financial analyst/etc that middle-class American children are taught to aspire to. I don't doubt my abilities to succeed in my civilian career, but I've also been wanting "something more."

In the last few months, I have been seriously considering doing a tour of service in the military after graduation for several reasons. First, I am a very intelligent person, but not as disciplined as I would like to be. I would love to be challenged to my physical and mental extremes. Second, I consider service to be a very noble duty that is a good way of saying "thank you" to the country we live in. Third, I am always trying to better myself as a person, and military service is basically the definition of "self-improvement"... but there is only a window of a few years that people are really able to serve.

Based on this interest, I have been exploring my options across the various military branches. My academic qualifications are extremely competitive (3.7 GPA, 1510 SAT) and so I am being recruited by all of the OCS programs. At this point, I've been able to discern that I want to serve in one of two ways: as an officer, or as a soldier who is "above and beyond" (Rangers, Special Forces, etc).

Right now, I am trying to figure out exactly how I want to serve, and what path I want to take to get there. I am naturally athletic and have begun a rigorous physical training program; coupled with my academic ability, I definitely feel that there is nothing that I can't do if I apply myself. Time constraints are really the only thing that liimits my options (i.e., some units require a certain rank and length of service beyond 3 years, or whatever).

I have been lurking on your boards for a few days and reading up. I am very intrigued by the Rangers and this is certainly an option I am considering. Unfortunately, I am still a bit muddy on the exact paths I could take to get there.

If I go the OCS route, it seems likely that I would get a shot at going to Ranger school, because I have no problems with branching IN, and I've heard that quite a few branches get the option to go. However, since only 1st LTs can apply for the 75th (right?), it seems like I might not have enough time to go that route. I would also only be able to join the Rangers in PL capacity, so it seems to me that the slots would be limited and extremely competitive.

The other path would be to enlist and then follow the school progression right into Ranger school. The danger here, as it seems to me, is that if for some reason I am not accepted to a school, or not assigned to the 75th, then I would be just an enlisted soldier. While I completely respect all enlisted infantrymen (please don't take offense to my usage of the word "just"), I feel that my skills and talents could be better applied to military service than in that capacity. So this route seems to be "all-or-nothing", so to speak.

I will continue to lurk on the boards and try to research the answers to the many questions that I still have about the Rangers, and the Army in general. Thank you!

Silverback · Post by **Silverback** » January 29th, 2005, 7:27 pm

Welcome...

Jamacee · Post by **Jamacee** » January 29th, 2005, 7:30 pm

Thank you for the advice.

I don't really like to think of it as "resume building"... that makes it sound as though I'm pursuing the military purely out of self-interest... which is not the case. Your point is well-taken, however.

I suppose an appropriate follow-up question would be: What is the breakdown in the Rangers of career military versus one- or two-tour?

Spartan · Post by **Spartan** » January 29th, 2005, 8:00 pm

Jamacee wrote:I suppose an appropriate follow-up question would be: What is the breakdown in the Rangers of career military versus one- or two-tour?

Jamacee - post follow up questions in the approrpiate areas for such discussions. This assists others in finding material relative to a line of inquiry without being duplicative by burying them in your intro.

Welcome.

Jamacee · Post by **Jamacee** » January 29th, 2005, 8:01 pm

Corrected avatar, and will do, Ranger Spartan.

Steadfast · Post by **Steadfast** » January 29th, 2005, 8:45 pm

Welcome

That is the $10 Million question. This is where you bet your future on both your physical and mental prowess. To quit or fail is not an option. The final decision is yours, no one else's. The proverbial questions linger, "Can I become a Ranger? Do I really believe in myself?"

csforstall · Post by **csforstall** » January 29th, 2005, 8:55 pm

Welcome Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

Kelly-Belly · Post by **Kelly-Belly** » January 29th, 2005, 10:00 pm

Wow, that was a long intro. Welcome to the site and good luck with your decisions.

mipuke · Post by **mipuke** » January 30th, 2005, 2:38 am

Welcome! You seem to be smart Jamacee, so think carefully about your options.

smokn38 · Post by **smokn38** » January 30th, 2005, 4:09 pm

Welcome, nice intro.