I need some advice...enlisting, ROTC...

[Dave16]

Hello,

I am 18 years old and fresh out of high school. This year I accepted a 4-year ROTC scholarship, but I am still uncertain about where exactly this will take me. I have a strong desire to serve in the armed forces, specifically in an elite unit in the army. I want to serve with the best, and be the best. I do not know if I will be able to do this as an officer in the army. I have heard that as an officer one can go to Ranger school and earn the Ranger tab, but that it is unlikely that, as an officer, one would actually be assigned to a Ranger unit. I have also heard that even if an officer works very hard and eventually gets into a Ranger unit they will only be there for a short period of time before being reassigned, possibly to a staff position. Would it be possible to be reassigned to a SF unit after going through the SF school? If it were possible, how long would one actually be out in the field?

I am very motivated, and I work out several times a week. I have recently begun running 5 miles a day.
My physical condition is as follows:
2-mile run - 12:45
2-min situps - 84
2-min pushups - 70

And I'm still working out, improving a bit every few weeks.

I am also fairly intelligent. I was in the top 90% of my class in High School, and after I took an ASVAB pretest it was estimated that I would score in the 90's. I am also a leader; I was captain of my hockey team.

I am actually considering enlisting. The recruiter said he could hook me up with a Ranger contract if I would like. I wouldn't mind getting into the action right away, going off to the various schools in the next year or so.
I have talked with some of the ROTC cadets and ROTC sounds a bit slow, like it takes a long time before you actually are allowed to do anything cool. Plus it seems that cadets are looked down upon.

My parents really want me to go to college, get my degree, have the benefits of being an officer, etc. I mentioned enlisting and they said I was crazy, that I would waste my talent. However, it seems that when one goes to college, they train for something that they really want to do as a career. (Or to have better parties...) As of right now, I am thinking I may want to have a career in the army. My parents have been asking me, "What if you don't like it?" etc.

I am just really uncertain of what to do. I want to have a career I enjoy, and to be out doing fun stuff. But I also don't want to blow my chance at a full ride scholarship.

Based on what I've said so far, what do you guys think?

[Bravo57]

Based on what I've said so far, what do you guys think?

It's not up to me. You need to make the decision, you alone. Whichever way you choose, you are the one that has to live with it. Not me, not your folks, not your family etc... Search your soul for what you want. Don't settle, and never quit.

[Dave16]

Yes, I realize that the decision is up to me, and that it is me, not my parents, who will have to live with it. That being said, my main question is whether as an officer you can serve in the Rangers for more than a few years, and if you can't, if they would let you transfer to SF afterward. Also, if they did let you transfer to SF, what would you be doing, and how long would you be doing it? What would you be doing as an officer in Rangers or SF? (Leading troops in missions, briefing troops on missions and then sitting by the radio, etc.)

[Dave16]

Sorry Ranger Zonk 1/75. It won't happen again. The thing is, I really don't want to be stuck behind a desk. I realize most jobs have unpleasant duties that go along with them, and that sometimes you just have to grin and bear it. However, the reason I wish to join the army is to be out in the field doing work, not relaxing in some building a few miles away looking a maps. As far as future options go, my second choice besides being in the army would be working as a police officer, which I don't think requires a degree. Of course, my ideas may change as I get older and obtain more experience...

[PocketKings]

Dave,

The whole 'driving the desk thing,' it happens for enlisted guys as well. Staff duty, police calls, becoming an armorer, crap like that. Less so in Ranger Regt, but it's still there.

But I never sat in an office looking at maps while my boys were in the field. I had 3 platoons as a PL. I was right there in the mix with them. Even as a company XO and even on BN Staff, I was in the field with them. Could I have sat in an office? Perhaps. Officers have more of a choice in the matter. But no self respecting Infantryman chooses to drive a desk.

I went to school on an ROTC scholorship. I'm happy with my route and wouldn't have done it differently in retrospect. I can't speak for the enlisted side, but being an officer was very rewarding and chock full of field time.

[Dave16]

Thanks for the information Ranger Zonk and Ranger Pocketkings. Ranger PocketKings, you said as an officer you are able to be right in the mix with them. Does that mean you're able to be up front kicking in doors with them, or merely out in the field watching your men and giving them orders? I appreciate the help Rangers.

[PocketKings]

Unlike the movies, or third world armies, American Infantry officers LEAD from the front. You need to do some serious research. In fact, go look at the life and death of 1LT Brostrom and report back.

[Dave16]

Ranger Pocketkings, I researched information regarding Platoon leaders and I also looked up 1Lt Brostrom. Being an infantry officer sounds like a great career, however, during some of my research I found that cadets don't always get their branch choice, even if they are towards the top of their class.

I am very close to maxing the APFT at the moment, and am certain that I would be able to max it this fall in ROTC. I don't want to sound arrogant, but I believe I would be towards the top of my class, if I continue to work hard.

Is it likely that I would be able to branch infantry?
I realize this is probably looking too far ahead, but is there anyway I could remain in a field position throughout my entire career? Not to sound stupid...too late, and I know this is really far away, but what about being a SF officer? Are they out in the field all the time?

I have attempted to research these issues, but have found little results. Thanks Rangers for helping out this wannabe...

[Dave16]

Ranger JLTW,

When I said I looked him up, I meant that I read a number of articles, around 7 actually, that discussed his life and death. I didn't merely dismiss Ranger PocketKings' advice. As far as what I've learned... I have obviously learned about the life and death of 1Lt. Bostrom; about how he died with his men, where a good platoon leader should be.

[PocketKings]

You need to talk to the military instructors at your university. You're getting way, way ahead of yourself. Your comments and questions show that you have done little research or critical thinking on the topic. Go to college on scholorship, get some education and experience, get involved in ROTC and see what it's all about, then evaluate where you want to go in the military. Stick around this site and read for a while.

The thing with LT Brostrom is this; he was acting as any platoon leader should act. He was a warrior, but one that is representative of most members of the Army. His is an example of what the norm should be for an officer. Nothing special, nothing super human. Just a typical Infanty leader who lived and died by a code: Lead your men, die with your men. If you can't grasp that concept than you need to look for another line of work.

But go easy on the comments geared for/against officer or enlisted. People who make them are ignorant and myopic.

edited for horrific speeling and graemer

[Silverback]

See my sig line and PM me if you need ROTC questions answered.

[PocketKings]

That quote is stunning in it's accuracy.