Introduction from loganp

[loganp]

Hello Rangers and servicemen,
My name is Logan and I am currently a student at UC Santa Barbara. I heard about your website from a Ranger on campus who said I should start here if I was interested in the Regiment. While searching the website the first thing I noticed was how similar the Ranger Creed is to the tenets I was sworn to as an Eagle Scout. After two years in college it is obvious to me that academia and integrity do not go well together and I'm looking toward my way out.
I am here to learn from the men who have already made the big leap and specifically I want to learn how available the OPT40 is these days. The issue I am deciding on now is whether to wait out college for the degree or just get out now and finish my degree when I need it (if I need it). This decision has to do with how accessible the GI Bill is. If I get the BS degree I will still go enlisted with the OPT40 (probably 11x) because I'm not interested in being an officer.
I look forward to hearing from you Rangers and other board members.

Thanks,
Logan

[Ranger Bill]

Welcome. Your interest in Army Rangers is appreciated. Regarding the availability of Option 40 enlistment contracts, it seems that just about every week, a young man visits here and tell us he was told none are available and is talked into signing up for something else. It also seems that just about every week, another young man visits here and tells us he just signed his contract. But one thing is always certain: Those young men who qualify for a Ranger Contract, who stick to their guns, act professional and polite with their recruiters, and make it clear that they will accpet nothing else, and that if there is not one available at the preent time, to call them when one is available, generally always get the contract, though it might mean enlisting now but not shipping out for several months or more. Only you will know if and when the time is right to visit a recruiter. Should you do so, let us know how things go. In the meantime, read and heed the ROE PM I have sent you.

[Ranger Ron]

Welcome to ArmyRanger.com, young man. Personally I would suggest that you finish your education while you are at it. What you are doing now is learning to learn. As you might suspect, as an Army Ranger you will need to continue to learn forever. Good luck with your decision.

[Jim]

Well, Logan, a man has only one opportunity to make a favorable initial impression. So far you are on track. Please tell us a little more about yourself. What is your major in school and what is your status (freshman, etc). In addition, please self administer a PT test so that you can establish a fitness baseline. Please complete this task NLT midnight, Sunday 5 July 2009. Never, never quit!

[loganp]

Ranger Jim,
My major is Financial Mathematics and Statistics. Although I am a second year student I have Junior standing because I have extra credits. I chose my field of study because I enjoy the rigor and logic of math and because it is an absurdly high-paying degree even when compared to more challenging BS degrees. I am in school to learn how to learn as RangerRon said and not to learn how make money in a corporate setting.
I tested myself in the AFPT format and scored 256 overall in the 17-21 age group with 60 rep push ups (85 pts), 64 rep sit ups (78 pts), and 13:25 run time (93 pts).
It is worth sharing that regardless of my decision to stay in school, I will go to Germany and Eastern Europe this summer on a four week bike/hike/train journey. I am minoring in Russian Language and I will get a chance to see Ukraine and possibly Georgia as they endure the tug-of-war between NATO and Russia. I expect this to be the peak of my college years and afterward I'll be justified in making a big commitment either to school or soldiering.

Thanks,
Logan

[Earthpig]

I am always impressed by the caliber of young men and women in these trying times who continue to step up to the plate and show an interest in serving this Nation. Pretty damned cool. Thanks for providing an intelligent intro, as well as showing an interest in our elite Brotherhood of Warriors. Welcome to the site, and good luck with whatever you choose to do with your life.

RLTW
EP

[rgrmerc]

Logan,congrats in your interestonbecoming one of the finest fighting force onthis planet!!! The fraternity amoung Rangers who served in operational ranger units is unbelieveable!!!! One of the greatest feelings was when I was at the the RGR RENDEVOUS in 07 and a young Nco came up to me and called me SFC Mercer i was puzzled at first cause I only served with CSM MERRITT of their unit ,he told me that he was in my guard unit in Orlando and he approached me at o dark 30 when all the other guardsmen were asleep in their sleeping bags and makeshift hooches.The old batboy in me kept me up pulling security and made me sleep with just a poncho liner even in cold weather,he said that he had asked me what it would take for him to serve in regiment,he said i blurted out that if your as hard as a footlocker full of woodpecker lips, your heart is as big as this Ao,and you push your balls in a wheelbarrow then you can make it in Regiment funny I never dreamed that this guard cadet would come up to me eight years later and thank me for motivating him made me proud !!!!! Good luck RLTW RGRMERC

[loganp]

Hello Rangers,
Since my last post I have been focusing on PT and taking full advantage of the information on these forums. I cut my 2 mi to 13:02 from 13:25 but I'm down to 45 push-ups and 62 sit-ups after learning proper form. I've been running hard every day, doing intervals, long distance, and other things I picked up on these forums. My first goal is to score 100 on the run (I'm at 99 now) and then to score 300 overall as judged by someone who will give me an honest and educated grading.
So far I've had no luck contacting the local recruiter but once I get a call back I'll be well on my way to bargaining an OPT 40. I expect the recruiter to try to deter me and I'm ready to stonewall all day, I've got time. In the meanwhile I'll be getting my family on the OPT 40 bandwagon and running my ass off.

Thanks,
Logan