Not sure...

[Cingeto970]

Hello, all. I'm new to these boards, and I didn't know where to post this, or if it had already been posted, but since it pertains to the Army, I figured that this is as good a place any. I'm 17, and am dead-set on the Army, but have no idea as to how I would go about getting where I want. My goal is to be a Ranger, and anything past that is just a bonus. I would like to know how I should go about all this. I know that I have to take the ASVAB, go through BCT (Or OSUT[?], if I go infantry), AIT, Airborne school, and RASP, but that's all I know. I would like to know about this contract that I see being mentioned, and about recruiters (as in, do I need to go to one to enlist?). Sorry if this has been posted before, or is in the wrong section. Cheers!

-Kyle Waite.

PS. The formality will dissappear, the longer I am here.

[ClutterbusterNY]

Welcome to the Forums Kyle,

Thanks for your desire to serve our great nation. I'm sure someone
who can answer your questions will add a reply soon.
Best of luck to you,

[USMC Chuter]

Hey Kyle, welcome. I'll start by inviting you to explore the forums a little, as I'm sure you'll find that many of the answers you're looking for are already here. By all means, ask away if you don't find what you're looking for and somebody will step up to the plate to help you.

I will start by answering one question up front. Yes, you will have to go through a recruiter to enlist in any branch of the military. Recruiters are very professional service members who are there to help you get the job you want as long as your are qualified and there are openings in the field you're seeking. Don't be bashful about visiting ALL of the branches, even if you're leaning Army, and about asking a ton of questions. Do your homework before meeting with them, and make sure that you're getting what YOU want, and not what sounded good in a sales pitch. It's your life and potential military service experience at stake, and only the best-informed decision will do. Good luck!

[Cingeto970]

Hey guys. Thanks for the quick replies! Thanks for the info, Chuter. At my school, occasionally, there will be a booth for the Army, run by a couple of guys in ACU's; would these guys be recruiters, or just some guys who got picked to hand out fliers?

[TheLastBlackjak]

Kyle usually those gentlemen will be recruiters however they could be selected guard and/or reserve troops on a volunteer detail. Asking is the best way to find out though.

[Cingeto970]

Alrighty. I'll make my way to them, the next time they show up. Thanks, Blackjack.

[USMC Chuter]

They wouldn't be a bad place to start, but my advice would be to call the local recruiting offices and make appointments. That way you have each other's undivided attention.

[Cingeto970]

Alright. I don't take my ASVAB til next year though, so it'll be a while. :\ I'll keep that in mind, though. How long does it take to get your ASVAB results after taking it (on average)?

[ScreaminChief]

They come back very fast. I wouldn't worry about that. If you really want Ranger school you can get it in your enlistment contract. You have to be dead set that you want it though. Traditionally, recruiters have tried to turn people away from having it in their contract because there are only a few slots available. They'll tell you you can get it after you're enlisted, which is true, but you may wait a long time. Don't take whatever they throw at you. If you want Airborne and Ranger school and they say they can't give it to you, tell them you'll come back when a slot opens up. Stand firm, be patient and know what you want and you should get it.

[Cingeto970]

I'm ABSOLUTELY dead-set on being a Ranger. Thanks for the advice on holding my ground! The Ranger Contract is an "Option 40", right? Is that only for 11x, or is it possible to have that in your contract if you want to do something else, say, 68W?

[Army Lifer]

The Ranger Option; "option 40" is available with other jobs besides 11x. (You can even be a cook and get "option 40". The mos with option 40 has to be available on the system at the time you enlist and you have to qualify for it.

[Army Lifer]

Originally Posted by ScreaminChief

Traditionally, recruiters have tried to turn people away from having it in their contract because there are only a few slots available.

Traditionally recruiters DON'T turn away people from having it in their contract. When the qualified applicant sits down in the recruiting station to select his/her job the recruiter pulls up all the available jobs on the FSR2S. (Future Soldier Remote Reservation System) Either the ranger option is there or it isn't. Most recruiters WANT to put someone in the Army so they will call "The ROC" and see if they can get a slot overfilled or loaded. IF they can get it they will get it. IF they have to turn away an applicant it was because the job wasn't available...but they don't "TRY" to turn away people....

[Cingeto970]

Okay, so we've got two conflicting stories. Anybody else got something to say on the issue?

[Brad]

I don't know Armylifer, but Chief's been around for awhile and has seen alot - he usually knows what he's talking about. Having just been through the recruiting process (again) recently, I would say both are right. Recruiters don't want to turn anyone away. But they are under pressure to make mission every month and they want to do the fastest, easiest thing. So, if they know there's going to be paperwork, delays, hassles over clearances, schools, etc., They WILL try to steer you another direction if they can.

Do your research, know what can and can't be done, and be firm with what you want. If you're patient you should be able to get it.

Brad

[Cingeto970]

Thanks for the advice. I've still got a while yet, but it's good to hear this sort of thing at any time.

[RR691983]

Recruiters can and will lie and tell you there are no slots available to try to get you into another shortage MOS. It is a fact and I went through the rodeo myself.

Short answer is to get it in your contract. If it's not in there, it doesn't matter what they tell you because it won't happen. It has to be there. Get it in writing or walk.

When I enlisted they told me I couldn't get Airborne OR RIP in my contract, they also said my only choices for duty station would be Alaska or Korea. I said "Ok, no problem I'll be back when you have what I'm looking for". I got up and walked back into the lobby, called him and left a message to come pick me up.

The MEPS career counselor came back out shortly after I left the message and began trying to backpedal saying well they have a slot for Airborne, blah blah. I told them it wasn't good enough. My recruiter called asking what was up, I filled him in and he got pissed and said he was on his way.

He showed up and we sat in the lobby for another hour or so and the CC came back out saying "I had to call in some favors, but we found a slot you just have to wait a few more months". Mmmmhmm, right.

So I got what I want, I just had to play their game. With the current OPTEMPO and deployment cycle they will try to push you to a unit that is getting ready to deploy, but the fact is every unit in the Army is short and you can get to any duty station you want. You just have to stick to your guns and not settle.

Feel free to PM me if you have any more specific questions.

[Cingeto970]

Thanks! So, I guess the gist of these stories is: Stick to your guns, and don't back down. Correct?

[Bullet]

A good site to look into is Armyranger.com click forums, register, and your FIRST post is in the introduction thread. Make sure to read all the rules first, use the search feature before posting anything.

From there I've learned if you want to become a ranger, look for a job with a option 40 contract. Make sure its a job you want to do. If its what you truly want do NOT accept any contract with out the option 40 because with out it there is no guarantee that you will get to go to rasp or ranger school.

option 40 gives you BCT, AIT, Airborne, RASP.....if you pass all of these then you will get to regiment and eventually you will go to Ranger school as it is required to become an NCO in Regiment.

If you are unsure about becoming a Ranger, do not get the option 40, leave that slot open to someone who really wants it. Because if you get to airborne and decide to get out of going to rasp then you've wasted a slot for someone who really wants it. And make sure your inshape prior to going to basic training or OUST.

and simply remember NEVER, NEVER QUIT. If your recruiter says there is no option 40 contract, do not sign if its what you want, wait it out till you get one.

[Covertness]

yeah, have fun with that.

[ClutterbusterNY]

Great to see you back Mike.