Introduction

[GnomeEze]

Hello, my name is Nick and I am currently 17 years of age. I just graduated from high school and will be attending college next year. I came across this website around March or April, and lurked until I finally created and account in June.

Over the past year I have been exploring my options for joining the United States Armed Forces, and have jumped between all three branches. At first I wanted to be a Navy Corpsman, then a Marine, and then a Ranger medic, which is what got me interested in this site. After much deliberation between myself and I, I decided to abandon hopes of fast-tracking simply to be a Ranger, and go to college (this is partially, but not totally, because my parents refused vehemently to signing a consent form for me to enlist). At this point in time I am going through the enrollment process (just completed the enrollment form; LTC is supposed to be requesting my medical exam rather soon, I hope; will be applying for four-year scholarship ASAP) for Army ROTC (I convinced my parents to agree to sign a consent by trapping them, explaining to them that I am doing it either way, and that they would only be holding me back by refusing: kind of harsh, but the situation called for drastic action). I desire to be commissioned as an Infantry officer, and wish to be Airborne and Ranger qualified, if not serving in an Airborne or Ranger unit.

My 2-mile run (from what I guess is two miles on my 1.5 mile neighborhood loop; haven't tried on a track yet) is 14:35; my push-up score is rather low (I can do around 35 without stopping on a good day), and my sit-up count is 55. I have a long way to go for Ranger School. I think push-ups are going to be my biggest challenge, as my physical strength has never been horribly outstanding.

My high school record shows six Honors courses, eleven AP courses, one foreign language (German, which I am horrible at), a weighted GPA of 4.19 (unweighted: 3.67), composite ACT score of 33 (out of possible 36; 34 on Math, 33 on English, 32 on Science, 31 on Reading), and a combined SAT score of 2040. I didn't play any sports in High School, much to my detriment, as instead of physical activities I engaged in numerous experimentally social encounters with a drug known as marijuana (10-15 times), as well as with a liquid known as alcohol (never habitually). I no longer smoke or drink, mostly due to a deep desire to serve and fight for my country, which precludes me from such harmful activities.

Though serving in a Ranger battalion is no longer my first priority, I now aspire to shape myself into a person fit to lead men into combat. I figure there is no better place to learn this than here, and no better group of people to learn from than Rangers. I must thank everyone here for providing such an enormous well of information for the uninformed, such as myself. I am all ears (well, technically, all eyes).

[Silverback]

It appears as though you have the 3 most important steps to life figured out.

1. Know where you are
2. Know where you are going
3. Know how you are going to get there

[42L5V]

Welcome, Nick.

1. Stay off dope.
2. Don't be one.

[Ranger Bill]

Welcome and thank you for your desire to serve your country. That is a fine ACT score and demonstrates that you have academic ability and the potential to do well in school. As you recognize, your physical condition is lacking. Now is the time to begin a physical conditioning program and in your case you should concentrate of strength training and that means weight-lifting. Maintain a good attitude and follow the rules of this site and you will get help and assistance from the members of this site.

[Rico]

What school are you applying for a scholarship at?

You stated that you wanted to branch Infantry, are you aware of how importang your GPA is in this process??

When you get to school, STUDY!!!!!!!!!!! Have a goal and remember why you're there in the first place.

[GnomeEze]

Ranger 42L5V and Ranger 'Ranger Bill':

Thanks for the advice. I should be getting a one-month pass to a gym to tide me over until I get to school and can use their facilities. Also, as I see it, being a successful leader in four years time is more important than smoking dope to make me feel nice now. I am never touching the stuff again.

Ranger j.rico:

The scholarship I am applying for stems from the ROTC program at Rochester Institute of Technology, and will count towards the University of Rochester, which I will be attending.

I was not aware how important GPA is for an infantry commission. I will keep that in mind, though rest assured that I need to keep it as perfect as possible, as med school is my fall back and chosen path after the Army, and I need an extremely high GPA to even be considered at any med school.

[Oto-Man]

Welcome here.

DEPS,

Listen up...this has got to be one of the best DEP intro's since CDWDirect.
(and this kid WAS a pot head ...go figure ).

Punctuation, spelling, grammar...wow...just frigin' wow.
(Speaking of spelling...who added the spell check and when.?...I just noticed it).


Good luck in all your endeavors young stud.....

[Bikkstah]

Gnome,

Keep it up. Only the best are selected for Infantry branching from ROTC. Your GPA and APFT are critical to receiving Infantry as your first choice without "buying" it as your branch. ABN and Ranger schools are freebies for Infantry officers so you don't need to really worry about receiving them once you get Infantry. It's quite possible if you keep your grades up and demonstrate good PT that you'll be sent to ABN through your ROTC program after your MSI or MSII year. Volunteer for everything they have to do (Ranger Challenge, Rifle Team, any stuff like marching in parades) to demonstrate your commitment and you'll do well. My advice to you is to attend the PT sessions intended for MS3's/4's and not the BN-wide PT. It will be more challenging and you'll see more improvement. As Ranger Bill said, get into strength training at the gym to improve your push-ups and sit-ups. Stay off the dope for good and if you must drink, drink in your dorm room. One underage violation of any kind regarding alcohol will terminate your ROTC scholarship.

[GnomeEze]

UPDATE:

I am now enrolled in ROTC, and I just finished week of Ranger Challenge PT (I have never been so sore in my life, though it did get better as the week went on and I pushed through all those muscle tears). The culmination of the week of really intense PT (by ROTC standards) was a PT test. I did 61 push-ups, 76 sit-ups, and ran the 2mile in 14:21. If I am not mistaken, that is a score of 264. I didn't make the team, but I am definitely in better shape for doing the extra PT (five days this week instead of the standard three).

As a piece of advice for any new cadets going into ROTC, DO RANGER CHALLENGE. Though I assume it's not up to par with Ranger School, it will work you a lot harder than regular PT will. And it's definitely a good time; the other cadets will respect you a lot more for putting yourself out there and busting your ass, even if you don't make the team.

[Kilted Heathen]

UPDATE:

I am now enrolled in ROTC, and I just finished week of Ranger Challenge PT (I have never been so sore in my life, though it did get better as the week went on and I pushed through all those muscle tears). The culmination of the week of really intense PT (by ROTC standards) was a PT test. I did 61 push-ups, 76 sit-ups, and ran the 2mile in 14:21. If I am not mistaken, that is a score of 264. I didn't make the team, but I am definitely in better shape for doing the extra PT (five days this week instead of the standard three).

As a piece of advice for any new cadets going into ROTC, DO RANGER CHALLENGE. Though I assume it's not up to par with Ranger School, it will work you a lot harder than regular PT will. And it's definitely a good time; the other cadets will respect you a lot more for putting yourself out there and busting your ass, even if you don't make the team.

Gnome you don't give advice here.


Bikk...you need to be fucking careful about the advice you give too.
I'm getting a tad bit tired of you straying out of your lane. You don't give advice here, Bikk...whatever the fuck, because you are only one step up the ladder from this kid. You've been nowhere and you know only two things. Jack and Shit.
Bottom line Bikkie...you're not qualified to mentor here so stick your advice up your ass.

[GnomeEze]

Sorry Ranger Kilted Heather, it won't happen again.

[Kilted Heathen]

Sorry Ranger Kilted Heather, it won't happen again.

Sure it will...when you get your shit.

[Jim]

I apologize for being late, Nick, but a man has only one opportunity to make a favorable initial impression. Given your age and candor, you seem to have done well. One of the things you need to recognize is that if you truly want to gain a commission in Infantry, you must be very competative. Thankfully, we are blessed with a great number of very competent young men who want to lead American Soldiers in combat. You have already been exposed to a number of hard charging Rangers who will point you in the right direction. Work hard. Lay off the booze and dope, and Never, never quit.

Now, for your initial task: Please tell us in 250 words or fewer, why you think you want to be a Lieutenant of Infantry. I'd like you to complete this task within the next 48 hours or so, NLT midnight, 12 September 2007.

[Ranger Ron]

Welcome!

[Bravo57]

Welcome to the site. Don't fuck up.