Introduction-Clapper

[Clapper]

Hello everyone. Wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Ethan. I am a 30 year old proud husband with two boys (5 years and 18 months). I recently signed my contract as a candidate for OCS in the US Army. I ship to BCT on 20100928 and am scheduled to start OCS on 20110103. It is my goal to branch IN with AR being my second choice. It is a goal of mine to earn the Ranger tab and become Ranger Qualified and perhaps serve in the 75th if God is willing. It is my understanding that Rangers are the most elite fighting force on the planet and thus produces some of the most effective leaders ever. I strive for the best and it is for this reason I want to pursue the path to becoming a Ranger and an Officer.

Allow me to give just a bit of background about myself. I have a BA in Social Science from Western Carolina University and am finishing up a MA in Indigenous Studies from Kansas University this Spring. My family and I live in a small Native American community in western North Carolina. My wife and boys are Eastern Band of Cherokee Nation. They are very supportive and want me to be the best soldier I can be. I am honored for the opportunity to get to discuss and tap into the great wisdom of all the Rangers on this site. I know that this journey will be the hardest thing I have ever done in my life but nothing good comes easy. And the harder one has to work for something the more meaningful it will be to him and the ones who already accomplished it. Thank you again Rangers for allowing me to introduce myself and I look forward to learning from all of you.

[al_2ndWolfhounds]

Welcome.

Thank you for your desire to serve. Family support and understanding is very important. Make sure you wife takes advantage of this site.

[Clapper]

Ranger al_2ndWolfhounds,

Thank you for the welcome. I have shared the site with her and we are both looking forward to the journey.

[Slowpoke]

No wonder you want to go into the Army, you can't do shit with the degrees you have. What the hell were you thinking? That is a lot of time and hard work to put in, not to mention the expence. It does show that you do have the determination to reach your goals.

Welcome here and good luck in your quest.

[Clapper]

Ranger Slowpoke,

I sometimes ask my self what the heck I was thinking? It boils down to me being a history buff and then taking that and turning it into how our past shapes our socioeconomic and political future. The degrees that I pursued were extremely focused as I wanted to work in the tribe's museum and then I took a job working for the tribe's foundation where I got to give away money. Beyond that you are exactly right, my degrees are about as useful as sandpaper for tp.

[Jim]

Welcome to the first step in becoming a warrior.

[Clapper]

Ranger Jim,

Thank you. I am looking forward to it.

[snafu]

Welcome to the site, college option. Do your very best in OCS. Your branching depends on it and IN is always the hardest slot to get. Good luck.

[Clapper]

Ranger snafu,

I have been told that PT counts heavily into the OML at OCS. It is my goal to be close to the top of the class so I can get one of the highly prized IN slots. Having such a long delay before I ship should give me ample time to get prepared. No excuses!

[Ranger Bill]

Welcome and congratulations for enlisting for OCS. Be sure to read and heed the ROE PM I have sent you.

[Clapper]

Ranger Bill,

Roger that.

[snafu]

Yep,
PT, grades, eval reports...all go into the OML process. Branching occurs mid course so it's best to excel early. I graduated last May but they've instituted some changes since then with the entire BOLC program so I'm afraid I can't give you any additional imput as I could just be setting you up for failure. Sounds like you have the right idea though so keep it up.

[Clapper]

Yep,
PT, grades, eval reports...all go into the OML process. Branching occurs mid course so it's best to excel early. I graduated last May but they've instituted some changes since then with the entire BOLC program so I'm afraid I can't give you any additional imput as I could just be setting you up for failure. Sounds like you have the right idea though so keep it up.

Ranger snafu,

Sir congrats on completing OCS. You are correct about the BOLC program. While I am still trying to learn about all the Army programs and processes, it is my understanding that BOLC II has been either done away with or rolled into BOLC III. I am not real sure what BOLC III entails or or if this would be the same as IBOLC if I were to be fortuanate enough to branch IN.

[Clapper]

Ranger snafu,

Congrats on completing OCS. Sir, you are correct the BOLC system has changed from what I have been told. It seems BOLC II has either been done away with or rolled into BOLC III. I am still trying to learn the ARMY processes and systems but was wondering if BOLC III was an officers branch specific training such as IBOLC or are they 2 different things?