RE-re-introduction.

[Columbus]

Hello Rangers.

I have posted two introductions before but I thought posting this one was necessary, which I will explain now.

I haven't really used this site since I enlisted and plan on using it regularly again now. I am an 11X/ABN hoping to get a shot at RIP, but unfortunately I do not have an Option 40. I've been told by some that I will be given the chance to volunteer in either Infantry OSUT or BAC, and some have said I need to go to MEPS and renegotiate my contract. I'm not sure at the moment what needs to be done.

I'm 18 and will be graduating high school in 2.5 months now, and ship out June 24th. It is my sole goal at this point to serve my country as an Airborne Ranger.

Current PT stats:

2-Minute Push Ups: 77
2-Minute Sit Ups: 84
2-Mile Run: 14:55
Max. Chin Ups: 15

Just wanted to let everyone know where I am now, what my contract looks like, and that I'm still going. I'll hush up now.

Thanks Rangers,

Columbus

[K.Ingraham]

None of this ground is new.
Reneg at MEPS is in order, but should that not work out, there will probably be opportunities at OSUT and jump school to volunteer for RIP. Guys drop their Opt40s almost from the moment they arrive at Benning, creating slots for go-getters on the spot.
Just don't count on it.

[Disinfertention]

There is a liaison for the 75th that works at the 507th. I'm sure he briefs each class looking for volunteers. If not ask your black hat. He goes TDY a lot but no doubt he'll be there at some point during your stay. He's helped multiple memebrs of this site on their journey without option 40's.

[Jim]

All right, Columbus, a year has come and gone. Your PT has improved, and you are getting closer to reporting for duty. Please tell us some of the things you have learned since you have been here. Has it been a worthwhile experience for you?

[Ranger Bill]

Please explain again why you did not enlist with an Option 40 contract.

[Columbus]

Ranger Jim: It has indeed been a worthwhile experience for me. There is so much information on this site that there is virtually no necessity in asking questions, for most of them can be found with a search. I have been privileged enough to read about what Infantry OSUT, BAC, and RIP are like from those who have recently been through them. I have been able to read a great wealth of fitness info by those who have proven themselves physically. And Rangers on the site have helped to square me away, showing me to pay attention to small details and when it is ok to speak. I think it is a good introduction if you will to a more military environment.

Ranger Bill: When I first enlisted on June 24th, 2008, I was told I could not get BAC or RIP in my contract and to do it later. I decided to agree for the time being on an 11X contract, knowing I could quit the DEP at any point if they would not meet my requests. When I went back to MEPS last week I thought I would be getting Airborne as well as an Option 40. When I got there and finished the Airborne physical they put BAC in my contract, but said they couldn't give me an Option 40 without what they called a "reno form". And that's where I am now.

[Earthpig]

Play it safe and get the "reno form." If they won't do that, make sure you talk to the 75th liason at BAC. Your PT scores llook a lot better, but your run time still needs to drop. You have time to get it down, just keep at it. If you can rise well above your peers during OSUT and BAC, I think your cadre will assist you in finding the liason.

Keep up the good work, and welcome back.

RLTW
EP

[Ranger Bill]

Get that renegotiation done ASAP. Be polite and be respectful, but get it done. I am assuming you already have a signed contract and have taken the enlistment oath, is that correct?

[Columbus]

That is correct Ranger Bill. Anything is just added to my current 11X contract. Well, 11X/ABN contract now. I think I have a little strength in this though because I'm pretty sure you can drop from the DEP at any time before your ship date. Maybe if I threaten that they will be more likely to give me an Option 40.

[Ranger Bill]

When you are in the DEP, you are assigned to the Individual Ready Reserves and you do have an obligation. If you do not show up on your ship date, you can be ordered to active duty and punished under the UCMJ. But in practice, and as far as I know, the Army has not done that to anyone. You could also be discharged from the Army under less than honorable terms, but generally the contract is just torn up like it did not happen and the person is barred from enlisting again for a year. Recruiters are barred from threatening UCMJ action with anyone in the DEP who backs out.

Do not threaten anybody. Re-negotiate your contract. Do not be a smart ass know it all when you do. At this point, you are the one who screwed up and signed a contract that was less than what you wanted and the recruiter is doing you a favor with a re-no and it will require some effort and explaining on his part. Be sincere and tell him that you really want a Ranger contract and why you want one. As a very last straw, you could tell him you do not want to go unless you get an Option 40, but again be sure your tone is not threatening or wise-ass-ish. And if he calls you bluff, then you can decide whether to go with the Airborne contract and bust your ass at OSUT and BAC PT-wise and every other way to be the best and try to earn a long shot at RIP. Or you can not ship and hope nothing happens to you. It's time to act like a grown up and make some grown up decisions. Keep us posted.

[Columbus]

Ok Rangers, I talked to my recruiter today and I now have a decision to make.

He said that if I want to, I can have the renegotiation done. However, that will momentarily kill my current slots for Infantry and Airborne. I will lose my job, and if the job doesn't come up as an option again when I go to MEPS well... tough luck. Same with Airborne, and it's not even guaranteed an Option 40 will be there. Also, my current bonus money (18k) will be gone and there it's likely it will be either reduced or gone. My ship date will also be bumped back... probably a couple months.

I could get lucky and get the Option 40. Only questionable things then are my ship date and bonus. Not that important though.

Or I can keep my current slots for Infantry OSUT and Airborne that I already have, and try to perform my best to earn a shot at RIP, which once again is not guaranteed.

I know this is my decision and I have some thinking to do. Do any of you Rangers have any advice though?

Thanks.

[Jim]

There is a liaison for the 75th that works at the 507th. I'm sure he briefs each class looking for volunteers. If not ask your black hat. He goes TDY a lot but no doubt he'll be there at some point during your stay. He's helped multiple memebrs of this site on their journey without option 40's.

I think that question is answered here. You pay your money and you take your chances.

[Disinfertention]

Ok Rangers, I talked to my recruiter today and I now have a decision to make.

He said that if I want to, I can have the renegotiation done. However, that will momentarily kill my current slots for Infantry and Airborne. I will lose my job, and if the job doesn't come up as an option again when I go to MEPS well... tough luck. Same with Airborne, and it's not even guaranteed an Option 40 will be there. Also, my current bonus money (18k) will be gone and there it's likely it will be either reduced or gone. My ship date will also be bumped back... probably a couple months.

I could get lucky and get the Option 40. Only questionable things then are my ship date and bonus. Not that important though.

Or I can keep my current slots for Infantry OSUT and Airborne that I already have, and try to perform my best to earn a shot at RIP, which once again is not guaranteed.

I know this is my decision and I have some thinking to do. Do any of you Rangers have any advice though?

Thanks.

I love being able to say all I got was a kick in the ass and a brown towel for joining the Army. If you want to make bank, go to school and get a PhD in some knowitthefuckall course and earn bookoo money. If you want to be a Ranger and want your shot guaranteed... You know what you have to do. Fuck the bonus, and if you have to wait 6 months for a slot to open do it. If you take what you have now and roll to Jump School there is a chance for some reason you won't be able to volunteer for RIP. I can't imagine what would prevent you from doing that, but it is possible.

If the 75th Liaison is at work tomorrow I'll go over and ask him about this.

What is your timeline looking like? As in, when are they wanting you to go do this renegotiation?

[Columbus]

Ranger Disinfertention, my recruiter didn to give me a specific timelime. However with my leaving in June and wanting to have RIP line up soon after Airborne, I would assume I should have this done no later than the end of April if I'm going to get my slot.

If you could ask a liaison about this for me that would be a tremendous help. So if you're not able to it's ok too, but thanks a ton if you can, that would really help clear things up for me.

[Disinfertention]

I spoke with the liasion this morning. He said with you having an opportunity to renegotiate your contract you should do it. He said that by the time this summer rolls around Aug/Sept/Oct timeframe is the busiest. Your best bet would be to do all you can to get ahold of the Opt 40.

That's the short of it. If you want more details or have some questions just shoot me a PM.