Getting a 300 on the APFT is not a requirement to be in SF or the Rangers. It won't hurt, but not getting it doesn't mean you are already done. Also, being able to run 5 miles at an 8 minute per mile pace is not necessary right off the bat. Once he makes SF or Rangers that 8 minute pace will probably put him finishing pretty far back. :)MamaK wrote:Whats your GT score? WOuld you score a 300 on the APFT? Can you run 5 miles in under 8 minutes per mile? Can you pass the combat water survival test? Are you red/green color blind?x007x wrote:. I want to be a marine and a Army Ranger.
I did talk to the recruiters and I've been told what I need to do first. Which is get in better shape.
Here, I am just writing out my feelings needing to talk about this. I am 25. I want to tell the parents, but I still don't feel its time yet.
If anyone else is in this type of situation; join the conversation and post how you feel too.
Once you earn E4, you can toss in your hat to be an 18X. You will go through several schools, and you will not go SF straight out of boot. You might get RASP and if you pass you might get attached to a Ranger Battalion but you won't be a Ranger (yet). They say RASP is the easy part. Work out, run a lot, and be patient. Also, find what MOS they do take - they don't take every MOS.
Marine's special force is Recon.
Feel free to tell your parents because until you have that 18X behind your name, you aren't special forces. You have to earn that 18X, which is why the community is so small. Consider researching Don Purdy - he's iconic. Study the Ranger book, and run a lot. Run with gear, in gear while sopping wet, run in gear while its hot and humid. You will need a clearance. (Know your life from birth to present, where you lived, where you worked, what you did - crime to include juvi records that were expunged. Document everything because you will be filling it out on an SF86. )
Research Don Purdy, he's iconic.
Considering that all branches pay the same, why not look at doing intelligence for the Air Force? Once you get it, you will be thankful for the better conditions and you can also apply to be a Paratrooper.
Since he is 25 already, as long as he meets the other requirements, he can enlist with an 18X contract. There is no need to wait to hit E4. That will get him Infantry OSUT, Airborne School, the SF prep course, and a slot at SFAS. If he passes all of those then he can start SF training.
If he would prefer to be a Ranger, he can try to get an 11X Option 40 contract which will get him Infantry OSUT, Airborne School, and a slot at RASP. If he passes all of those he will be a Ranger and will be assigned to one of the Ranger Battalions. He will be sent to Ranger School some time later when his CoC feels he is ready. As you pointed out, he can get an Option 40 contract with other MOSes. There are quite a few that are eligible. 11X is just the most common.
Best of luck to the OP whichever path he ends up taking.