68w option 40

Questions and Answers about obtaining an Option 40 Contract and other routes to serving as a Ranger in the US Army.
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bmahler
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Joined: February 7th, 2010, 6:10 pm

68w option 40

Post by bmahler »

I am "trying" to join the military. I have gone through my recruiter to obtain a 68w with an option 40. My recruiter phoned me today and said there are no contracts with the 68w. I am a college graduate, and am graduating in may with a masters degreee. I understand that has no significance, but I have decent scores on the asvab with an afqt score of 97 and gt score of 134. My wife and children have supported through this process over the last two months. I have always wanted to join the ranks of the army rangers. Now i feel like my life is turned upside down because I am unable to wait until ocotber for the new jobs to come open, and I am not joining without the option 40. I am currently a high school teacher and wanted to sign my contract this month so i could resign from my position without putting undue stress on my supervisor. Is there any hope for an option 40.. I contacted another recruiter from and he will not return my phone call. Please any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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al_2ndWolfhounds
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Re: 68w option 40

Post by al_2ndWolfhounds »

Welcome and thank you for your desire to serve.
RLTW

Active service 01/67-12/73
Ranger Class 10-68
2/27 Inf 25th Inf Div Vietnam 01/69-01/70

"In America, anybody can be president. That's one of the risks you take." - Adlai Stevenson (1900-1965)
“The enemy is anybody who’s going to get you killed, no matter which side he is on.” – Joseph Heller, Catch-22
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K.Ingraham
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Re: 68w option 40

Post by K.Ingraham »

The selection process begins with just getting the opt.40.
Good luck , the Regiment needs good 68Whiskies and your education will be an asset. You'll be OCS bound as soon as you're tabbed, I'd predict.

Use every extra moment to get into better shape.
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2d Bn U.D. for 75th Ranger Regt Assn

2d Bn(Ranger)75 Inf 1975-'77
RS 9-76
Former mentor to RANGER XCrunner.

"I am well aware that by no means equal repute attends the narrator and the doer of deedsSallust ‘The Catiline Conspiracy’
RngrDoc75
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Re: 68w option 40

Post by RngrDoc75 »

bmahler-

You are safe in enlisting with a 68W on an Airborne contract. You do not need a Ranger contract. If you are on an Airborne contract, you can either submit a Ranger volunteer packet at AIT which is easily worked because you are already locked in for airborne school. You can also volunteer once you are at Airborne school. Don't take any options without Airborne. If you are locked into coming to Benning for airborne school, then you can get to the Regiment.

You cannot normally submit a packet at AIT until week 6. Contact the Regiment Recruiter and you can get a waiver for that based on your education.

If you wait until airborne school to volunteer, then do it in the first week. The Regiment Recruiters are in the same building where you in-process.
RngrDoc75
Ranger Medic, 75th RGR Regt
1990-1995 at 1/75
1995 to 2012 at RHQ
2012 to 2015 at USSOCOM
2015 to Present CoTCCC/Joint Trauma System

if you can do the math and have been in the Regt medical team in those years, then you probably know who I am...

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RngrDoc75
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Re: 68w option 40

Post by RngrDoc75 »

You can become a Ranger Medic without a Ranger Contract. In fact, the vast majority of Ranger Medics were NOT on option 40 contracts.

Get an option 4 (Airborne Contract) and still get to the Regiment with no problems.

With an airborne contract, you can either submit application at AIT or you can volunteer once you get to Airborne school. Regardless, an airborne contract gets you to Ft Benning. With an airborne contract, you are locked into an ABN school seat and you will be on orders from Ft sam Houston to Ft Benning following AIT.

If you volunteer while at Ft Sam, you can normally only do so after week 6. If your education is what you say, then you can request a waiver through the Regiment Recruiter. The instructors can get you a packet or you can go to the Regiment website and download a "68W AIT application".

If you volunteer while at ABN school, you need to do it in the 1st week. The Ranger Recruiter is in the same building where you do ABN school in-processing.
RngrDoc75
Ranger Medic, 75th RGR Regt
1990-1995 at 1/75
1995 to 2012 at RHQ
2012 to 2015 at USSOCOM
2015 to Present CoTCCC/Joint Trauma System

if you can do the math and have been in the Regt medical team in those years, then you probably know who I am...

Dominatus Comminus Rememdium
"Mastery in Close Combat Medicine"
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Earthpig
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Re: 68w option 40

Post by Earthpig »

Looks like you got some good advice from RngrDoc75, who would know the current info on that particular MOS. Welcome to the site, and best of luck to you in reaching that dream.

RLTW
EP
Always remember: BROS BEFORE HOES.
bmahler
Embryo
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Joined: February 7th, 2010, 6:10 pm

Re: 68w option 40

Post by bmahler »

Rangers,

Thanks for all the advice. I really haven't asked about the option 4, I have only pursued the option 40 route. I am not sure if I will be able to obtain the option 4 now, with my recruiter and his superior not working with me, but I will prevail.

Rangers Lead The Way
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K.Ingraham
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Re: 68w option 40

Post by K.Ingraham »

bMahler,
Your recruiters will work with you. They need to show numbers for them to get their 'attaboys' and to meet their quotas. You come in demanding a hard-to-get Opt40, they see worktime spent on you when they could have enlisted three computer geeks, two truck drivers and an underwater messkit repair specialist with promises of 'learning a trade for big bucks when you get out'. MOSs that sell themselves.
Opt 4 isn't such a big deal, they should be able to get you that without eating into the sales time they need to recruit bunches of lesser beings.

68W is perpetualy short, and is an exception - others shouldn't expect to get to RASP from AIT or jump school so readily & should insist on the opt.40. In fact, you should anyway unless the bozos completely cut you out.
http://www.75thrra.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
2d Bn U.D. for 75th Ranger Regt Assn

2d Bn(Ranger)75 Inf 1975-'77
RS 9-76
Former mentor to RANGER XCrunner.

"I am well aware that by no means equal repute attends the narrator and the doer of deedsSallust ‘The Catiline Conspiracy’
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dcal7
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Joined: May 12th, 2010, 10:28 am

Re: 68w option 40

Post by dcal7 »

Ranger RngrDoc75,

You said that bmahler's education would get him a waiver to submit the volunteer packet early, is this because he will have a graduate degree or will a BA work for the waiver as well?

Thank You,

Doug
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Precision_Hell
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Joined: February 24th, 2011, 8:04 am

68w option 40

Post by Precision_Hell »

Ranger RngrDoc75,

Excuse me if I'm hijacking this thread. I'd rather ask the question here so it will get answered for all future 68Ws to know.

What is the likelihood of a 68W with an Option 4 getting approved for RASP at AIT after week 6?

Is it extremely selective and competitive or is it first come first serve upon the completion of the application?

I ask because at MEPS today I was told Option 40 slots for 68W are non existent at this time and am in a similar situation to bmahler. They made it a point to call the ROC and see what they had all the way out to september.

I'm dedicated to the dream of becoming a Ranger Medic, and I have put a fair amount of time to get to even the point that I am out. I would hate to get to AIT and get trounced out by someone just wanting a change of station and I don't want to sign anything here that's short of giving me the opportunity of getting my foot in the door with the Rangers and giving it my all.

Thank you Rangers for the time and wisdom you have previously shared with me.
"Never Quit"

MOS 68W Ship Date 20120521
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hit_it
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Re: 68w option 40

Post by hit_it »

While it does happen, the best bet is to have it garaunteed in writing. If they called the ROC, then they truly do not have it available to give.

What you do from now until the new fiscal year is on you. Remember what it si you truly want and if you decide to go another route then that is on you.

Personally, if you financial situation dictates, the few months of physical training, reading, school and learning from this site will do you good.
MSG Hit_it

@Bragg
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Precision_Hell
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Joined: February 24th, 2011, 8:04 am

68w option 40

Post by Precision_Hell »

MSG Hit_it,

Sir, Thank you for the wisdom. That answers my questions. I saw Ranger Goon175s post from earlier today concerning the closing of a lot of MOSs and it makes the most sense for me to wait it out until the next fiscal year. I've gone too far already to have the rug pulled out from under me, I can just keep up with college, train even harder for the next 8 or so months and make sure my recruiter doesn't drop me or forget about me.

Bmahler,

Thank you for opening the topic.
"Never Quit"

MOS 68W Ship Date 20120521
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