Introduction

JB466 · Post by **JB466** » May 1st, 2007, 10:02 am

Rangers, my name is Josh, I am a 19 year old un-contracted Army ROTC cadet. The reason I have not gotten a scholarship and signed the contract is because I am having a hard time deciding between sticking with college and ROTC and going in as an officer, or waiting for the semester to end and work on getting an 11x Option 40 contract. Lots of pressure/encouragement from my dad (retired SF Colonel) and other retired officers and a few retired NCOs to stick with ROTC.

2 mile run: 12:31
Sit-Ups: 81
Push-Ups: 79

Oto-Man · Post by **Oto-Man** » May 1st, 2007, 10:11 am

You have the run time of an NCO...do that.
(No one wants an officer that can run well

)

On a serious note,
Tell the old man to stop living vicariously through you. He did his shit, now it's your turn to do your shit. period. end of story. Think long term.

If you want to lead from the rear and focus on "big picture" planning and strategy.....go for the "O".

If you want to be in the shit-up front, chewing dirt, and driving hard all day, every day, forever....enlist.

Welcome.

RTO · Post by **RTO** » May 1st, 2007, 10:13 am

Welcome and thanks for your desire to serve our country. While you are at it, thank your Father for me as well for his service. Or better yet, have your old man just sign up here as well.

No doubt in my mind. Stay in college and get your degree. Then enlist and try for that option40 or serve as an officer after you complete what you started.

That Guy · Post by **That Guy** » May 1st, 2007, 10:17 am

welcome...you now have two good resources for info, your father, and this site....whatever decision you make, make it your own.

Jim · Post by **Jim** » May 1st, 2007, 10:50 am

Josh,
A man has only one opportunity to make a strong initial impression, andyou get a go at this station. You are the only one who can decide what your course should be. If you truly want to earn a place in the 75th Ranger Regiment, you came to the right place to learn. You are the one who has to live your life -- so do what you think is right. These are decisions that you have to make for yourself. Welcome...

Rangerguru · Post by **Rangerguru** » May 1st, 2007, 10:59 am

Welcome to the site young man.

Rico · Post by **Rico** » May 1st, 2007, 11:34 am

Is it me or is there an abundance of cadets on here lately?

Welcome Cadet, I'm curious about a few more things.

1. What Shool do you attend?

2. What academic year are you in?

3. Have you been offered a scholarship?

4. If so, is it a campus based scholarship of 2 or 3 years?

5. Have you considered the SMP route?

6. What are your motivations for either route, by that I mean why would you want to enlist vs. commission, or commission vs. enlist?

I have an opinion, but it's not for me to decide. You have to make that choice on your own. I'll refrain from saying any more until you answer my questions.

pellett2007 · Post by **pellett2007** » May 1st, 2007, 11:58 am

Welcome, PM inbound.

Ranger Bill · Post by **Ranger Bill** » May 1st, 2007, 12:08 pm

Welcome. You make your own decsion.

JB466 · Post by **JB466** » May 1st, 2007, 1:18 pm

Thank you for the welcome Rangers.

1. What Shool do you attend?

2. What academic year are you in?

3. Have you been offered a scholarship?

4. If so, is it a campus based scholarship of 2 or 3 years?

5. Have you considered the SMP route?

6. What are your motivations for either route, by that I mean why would you want to enlist vs. commission, or commission vs. enlist?

1. University of South Florida
2. I am about to finish my freshman year of college.
3. Yes, I was offered a scholarship during my first semester. I decided against it because at the time I had no idea which direction I wanted to take in my life.
4. It is a campus based scholarship, they offer 4,3 and 2 year scholarships.
5. I looked into the SMP route, but from what I could gather on it, it would mean I would get commisioned into the National Guard or Reserve, I want to go AD.
6. My primary motivation above all, whether I enlist or get a commision, is that I want to be a soldier. Now I don't really know how to explain this, but initialy anyways, I want to be the guy out "getting things done." And it seems to me that the later officer ranks spend more time planning then out and "getting things done." I guess Ranger Oto-Man put it well, "If you want t be in the shit-up front, chewing dirt, and driving hard all day, every day, forever...enlist.

FIST TEAM LTR · Post by **FIST TEAM LTR** » May 1st, 2007, 1:21 pm

I concur with the others; the only guy you have to deal with is the one in the mirror, you cannot lie to him... Good Luck.

RLTW

Charlie 51 · Post by **Charlie 51** » May 1st, 2007, 2:28 pm

Enlisted is the way to go, get your shit then go smoke all the officers in OCS. In the end you will be better for it. Just make sure your decision is for you. Of course you might fail and become a truck driver in Korea. Don't assume you are a go already, remember the Army needs truck drivers too

bmf175 · Post by **bmf175** » May 1st, 2007, 5:45 pm

If I had to do over again i would have got my AA then enlisted into Regiment for acouple years, picked up acouple more credits along the way and when the time was right I would have gone to OCS.
Gone back to regiment as a PL then after my PL time I would have gone to SF Selection.
Not that i have thought about it or anything.....