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Stare Master
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Last Login: Today @ 6:34 AM
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Steve, I think you have a very valid point. I believe that NCOs and officers who want to go should be given the opportunity. But I don't think it should be emphasized to the extent that careers are ended because the individual doesn't want to go(going and quitting is another matter). My post wasn't meant to endorse the way things are, just a commentary on it.
Like RedDevil, I don't think I ever saw a tabbed NCO who had been to Ranger School but had not served time in a Ranger unit, 1st or 2nd Battalion or a company in Vietnam. However, officers routinely went through Ranger School, although it was not stressed the way I understand it is now. In the 509th I had at least one platoon leader who was not tabbed and one company commander. Most of the tabbed officers I knew wanted to be assigned to one of the battalions but had not been(this is when a 2Lt could still be assigned).
Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American GI. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.
"History teaches that when you become indifferent and lose the will to fight someone who has the will to fight will take over." COLONEL BULL SIMONS
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Trooper
 
Group: Registered User
Last Login: 2/1/2008 9:39 AM
Posts: 956,
Visits: 31
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quote:
Originally posted by 509Trooper
Steve, I think you have a very valid point. I believe that NCOs and officers who want to go should be given the opportunity. But I don't think it should be emphasized to the extent that careers are ended because the individual doesn't want to go(going and quitting is another matter). My post wasn't meant to endorse the way things are, just a commentary on it.
Like RedDevil, I don't think I ever saw a tabbed NCO who had been to Ranger School but had not served time in a Ranger unit, 1st or 2nd Battalion or a company in Vietnam. However, officers routinely went through Ranger School, although it was not stressed the way I understand it is now. In the 509th I had at least one platoon leader who was not tabbed and one company commander. Most of the tabbed officers I knew wanted to be assigned to one of the battalions but had not been(this is when a 2Lt could still be assigned).
Ranger school is a leadership school. So I can understand why the officer corp wants its younger officers to be tested and pass the course. It is like a War College for young officers.
The Ranger Batts were set up to be the best light infantry in the world but also to help train the rest of the army. The thought was that the NCO's of these Batts would become the best soldiers possible and then be spread throughout the army to help train the rest of the army. It hasn't always worked that way as many of the ones who left the Batts left because they got into trouble or where forced to leave because of time served. The idea is still a good one though. Just think if you have a E-7 SF tabbed Platoon SGT or a SF medic assigned to your unit.
Personally I would rather have a SF medic than my personal doctor. They are squared away medics and soldiers.
Aren't most of the NCO's in the 82nd tabbed?
Ranger2
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Anti-social
Group: Past PNET Supporter
Last Login: Yesterday @ 7:16 PM
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My very first SL was tabbed, SSG Bonds (I believe he was in 2/75) and he was the most squared away soldier and best NCO I met in the Army. Made us always go the extra mile on everything and expected 110% always, especially in the field but at the same time was calm, soft spoken, and hardly ever raised his voice. Everyone had so much respect for him that he didn't need to. Left us for recruiting duty after I'd been there about 9 months... My PSG when I was in the Scout Plt., SFC Ramsey, was also tabbed and ex-75th(not sure which bat.). He was also ex-SF and had served time on an A-team (this was before the SF tab though). He even tried out for Delta at one point prior to my knowing him (but didn't make it). A couple of times he had some of his ex-SF buddies come and give us a foriegn weapons class. They would bring over a whole bunch of different stuff, UZI's, HKs, AKs, the works...
1/508th Abn Inf, 82nd Abn Div 81-83 1/4th Inf (Mech), 3rd Inf Div (USAEUR) 83-84 SGT\EIB\Recondo "Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies." - Groucho Marx
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OIF Veteran
Group: Past PNET Supporter
Last Login: 11/16/2008 11:01 AM
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I'm at IOBC now [I graduate in 13 days] and from the last group of 2LTs sent to the RTB from here more than 70% came back as RAP week failures. The commissioning sources have plenty of blame for that. They need to do a better job of getting young LTs ready before they get here, a college degree is not enough. They are hoping that IOBC will square them away for Ranger school but 4 months for a great number of new LTs is not enough time. We jokingly call this place the "officer Pre-Ranger course."
As for this topic here at Benning the 3/75 and RTB seem to be happy with tan. No loser will be able to question their heraldry in the future. The other day I saw a reservist with a gut wearing desert cammies and an INE black beret pass two 3/75 studs at the PX wearing ENI tan berets and I can tell you the Rangers still stand out as they always have.
Unfortunately the black beret is no longer what it used to be. It is now just Army 'headgear.'
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Seasoned Vet
Group: Past PNET Supporter
Last Login: 6/24/2008 1:49 PM
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First off-"Hooah" Rey.Now you can truly start kickin' *ss and squaring things away...You're comment on the issue is quite telling.My own reasons for never having volunteered to go through Ranger School are quite simple,actually:I just loved the 82nd,and was happy there with what I was doing.All my EER's had the same recommendation:attend Ranger School and be assigned to a Ranger Battalion as a squad leader.It was tempting often times.I had a few of my friends go through and make it,and I was as mentally and physically capable as they were.I can't quite explain it,but I was happy,and content.My career was on track,made E-6 in almost 6 years,and got selected for DI School as I was getting out...Anyway,point is:Both of my friends are now CSM's.One is Ranger-qualified.The other is not,as far as I know.So,theoretically,I could be a CSM now,had I stayed in....Man,hindsight is a beautiful,and also DEADLY thing...the "what-if's" are a killer....[ ][82nd][E6][uswingsr][infantry][scout]
"Stand....in the door"
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OIF Veteran
Group: Past PNET Supporter
Last Login: 11/16/2008 11:01 AM
Posts: 3,697,
Visits: 24,626
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K-Dog, thanks for the support. I can tell you it has been an "experience" earning my blue cord for a second time.[ ]
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Seasoned Vet
Group: Past PNET Supporter
Last Login: 9/7/2005 7:22 PM
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| Good to hear from you Rey!! I'll be coming down for your graduation and to buy you some beer.[thup]
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