Introduction- Charlie

[Jim]

Get your priorities straight. PT, PT and PT.

Right!

[Sleepy Doc]

To reiterate what Tough was saying, "HALO" is a very specific discipline, and that unless you have gone through the Military Free Fall parachuting course, then you are in fact not "HALO jumping". You may be using a civilian, ram-air (read "square" style) chute and jumping from altitude, and doing so with men who have been qualified as such, but a "HALO" jumper you are not.

As far as the shooting goes. when you get to OUST you will have to un-learn everything you have been taught, with the possible exception of don't point a weapon at anything you aren't prepared to shoot, and keep your finger out of the trigger well till you are ready to shoot (assuming you have learned those rules..) Once you get to RASP you will have to un-learn again so you can be taught how the Regiment wants you to shoot. Trust me when I say, this will be based upon years of practical experience in what is effective, and what is not. One of the things most civilians don't realize is that the times when you will be using "rock & roll" full auto, hollywood-style are very, very few indeed. (if ever)

If I may, I suggest that you DON'T do anything to risk serious injury before you ship out. (ie-"HALO" jumping, rock climbing, ruck-runs.. NOTHING) There will be a time and place for that nonsense, and you haven't even signed up yet. PT is your friend. Good, well rounded PT that includes running short and long distances, and pull-ups.

All in due time, grasshoper.. all in due time

[IvoryCharlie]

Thank you for the clarification, Rangers.
From now on all I will do to prepare is PT and not worry so much about the resume that I assumed I would have to compile. Sorry for asking such a stupid question!

[Jim]

Thank you for the clarification, Rangers.
From now on all I will do to prepare is PT and not worry so much about the resume that I assumed I would have to compile. Sorry for asking such a stupid question!

Have you been using the search feature to answer questions? Never, never quit!

[IvoryCharlie]

Yes, Ranger Jim.
I have done some more research on my medical conditions, and my antidepressant prescription doesn't seem like it would be disqualifying since it was for insomnia. One thing that did bother me was seeing a thread where somebody was PDQd because of a clavicle plate. I currently have this plate, and it doesn't interfere with me in anyway, but a recruiter whom I have talked to informed me that this disqualification would still affect me. I am in touch with a surgeon, and may get this plate removed in March, but I am really worried about losing my PT scores... I just maxed out my situps and pushups for the APFT with 90 situps and 86 pushups in 2 minute intervals and my run times haven't changed in the past week. Didn't take me very long to achieve, but I am worried if I take 2-5 weeks off of pushups (the recovery time of this procedure) will I lose everything? I don't need an answer, because I assume I will. Oh well, when all is said and done I will have another year before I plan to ship out.
Thanks again for allowing me on to this forum and answering my questions, truly eye opening and I don't know how I could ever hope to succeed in enlisting for RASP without it.

[Jim]

Yes, Ranger Jim.
I have done some more research on my medical conditions, and my antidepressant prescription doesn't seem like it would be disqualifying since it was for insomnia. One thing that did bother me was seeing a thread where somebody was PDQd because of a clavicle plate. I currently have this plate, and it doesn't interfere with me in anyway, but a recruiter whom I have talked to informed me that this disqualification would still affect me. I am in touch with a surgeon, and may get this plate removed in March, but I am really worried about losing my PT scores... I just maxed out my situps and pushups for the APFT with 90 situps and 86 pushups in 2 minute intervals and my run times haven't changed in the past week. Didn't take me very long to achieve, but I am worried if I take 2-5 weeks off of pushups (the recovery time of this procedure) will I lose everything? I don't need an answer, because I assume I will. Oh well, when all is said and done I will have another year before I plan to ship out.
Thanks again for allowing me on to this forum and answering my questions, truly eye opening and I don't know how I could ever hope to succeed in enlisting for RASP without it.

UPDATE? Never, never quit!

[IvoryCharlie]

I got the surgery on March 10th, so I'll be eligible for enlistment on September 10th (6 months post op). Everything healed up, and I don't have any currently disqualifying medical conditions. I recently spoke with a Springfield recruiter, and he informed me that my prescriptions would not be an issue after he looked at my medical records (which stated directly that I was not depressed, but rather an insomniac in dire need of a knockout drug). So, the MEPS CMO holds all the cards for me.
My PT is not that bad, as I maintained 90 situps and built back up to 89 pushups... my run time has suffered thanks to a broken toe (didn't go to a doctor, but it is quite crooked and I don't want to risk another disqualifying condition being on record), causing me to adjust my running form, and the last time I tried a two miler i barely irked out a 13:54.
Started a marching routine, and I worked up to 12 miles in 2 hours 45 minutes with a 50 lb ruck.
I recently plateaud on pullups, as I haven't been able to get past 22 for a month, so I'm going to do more barbell rows and deadlifts to even out my back strength again.
Other than that, I'm just hoping that everything works out, and studying for the ASVAB. I'll update on the results of my MEPS visit soon after September 10th.
Thanks again for your help and advice.

[Jim]

Good SITREP. Please memorize the Ranger Creed and begin living your life by it. Post an update on your progress every two weeks. Never, never quit!

[IvoryCharlie]

Sorry for being so late on an update, internet connections are hard to come by where I live.
I haven't ran a pft in quite some time, due to a lack of a timer, but the one time I had I buddy time me for a ONE mile run i cracked 6 minutes, with a 5:58. I don't know how this will translate to two miles, but if I had to guess I would be somewhere in the 13-13:30 range. My toe is not an issue anymore for running, but it could still screw me over at MEPS if the swelling doesn't go down (looks quite inflated and red, and there is still a small malunion).
As for pushups, I got 91 2 weeks ago, and I am not in a state where I can time myself currently due to a lack of tech and a convenient hornet sting on my right tricep that makes it impossible for me to extend my arm. Should be cleared up soon enough.
Situps didn't budge when I tested them.
So, it appears that I have plateaud, and I am going to divert my energy towards a powerlifting cycle to gain some raw strength to hopefully build on my stagnant muscular endurance.
I probably won't be able to post in the coming weeks if this coming tropical storm is anything significant.

[IvoryCharlie]

Two weeks ago, I realized that I was 5 pounds overweight to enlist. 190 is the limit for those at 6'0. So I decided to crash diet and lose 10 pounds, to be on the safe side. Now I'm at 179, and I have maxed out the PFT. I am still surprised at the difference that ten pounds made. It wasn't water weight either; long distance running with PT combined with 100 calories every two days made a visible difference in my body.
I don't know the exact time, but on a cross country 4 miler the first two took me 16 minutes, then i booked it back at mid 12 minute. PT wise, I think I am in good enough shape now to succeed at RASP, if I can get a contract.
If the Pentagon rescinds this no-waiver policy for the Option 40 soon, I would certainly be grateful, and I would not quit no matter what.
Thanks again for you help, everyone, and for allowing me access to all of the information on this website.

[Jim]

Are you scheduled for MEPS on 10 September? Any other developments? Never, never quit!

[IvoryCharlie]

Ranger Jim, I will be taking the ASVAB on September 10th, and shortly after, I am told, I will be able to go to MEPS. As soon as the 15th.
Otherwise, I am studying for the test, running quite a bit (40-45 miles per week), and trying to improve my completely-plateud upper body PT. A little while ago, before my 15 pound cut, I did 107 pushups in two minutes, 95 situps in two minutes, 26 pullups and then followed that up by completely screwing up a 2 mile run (5 minute 40 something seconds first mile, 9 for the second), probably because that day I ate McDonalds. I've actually developed into a good cross country over the course of the time that I have been training (since I was cleared after my shoulder Injury back in November), but I am finding that running such high mileage is starting to corrode my upper body strength.
From what I've gathered, 25-35 miles is what is usually ran every week for SFAS and Ranger School, so when the fall athletic season is over I plan to regress to those distances, and develop more speed than endurance.

[IvoryCharlie]

Just got back from taking the ASVAB.
90th Percentile. My recruiter told me my GT was way higher than what I need for an Option 40. Kind of hoping that this helps me get an option 40...
Also, ran a pft yesterday:
102 pushups
96 situps
26 pullups
12:45 2 mile run
Despite this, it still seems that I would need a miracle to get in.
I'm considering medic now that I qualify for it, and I will be researching more on this website and others to prepare for the possibility of getting the option of signing a 68w Option 40, even though I feel I would be more suited for an 11b role.

[Jim]

I'm considering medic now that I qualify for it, and I will be researching more on this website and others to prepare for the possibility of getting the option of signing a 68w Option 40, even though I feel I would be more suited for an 11b role.

From a professional development viewpoint. 68W Option 40 is worthwhile. After AIT, BAC and RASP, you will attend the same training that SF Medics attend. Go up on the site and read letters from school and you will have an idea of what a great opportunity it offers. Never, never quit!