Joining the US Army Rangers as a civilian?

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milsimbuddy

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I've recently given some thought about joining the Army, but I can't really decide what I actually want to do.
I have great respect for the Rangers and Green Berets, having known a few, and I figure that I might go with one of those options.
But my problem is, I don't know if I can go straight to qualifying for the Rangers or not. I've searched online but can't find any information on it.
If anyone can give me a clear answer on this, I'd really appreciate it.
 
Yes, you can join the Army with a Ranger or SF contract. They'll guarantee you a shot as long as you make it through everything else first. To be perfectly honest probably about 90 % or more that join with a Ranger contract end up giving it up before they actually get there. Don't be one of those guys that gets scared because someone tells him it's hard. It is hard but it can be done. In my son's basic training platoon all of the guys that had a Ranger contract gave up the contract before they even got out of Basic training. You see they're always asking, who wants to quit. A lot of guys get intimidated because of everything they hear about the Rangers and how hard it is to get in. My son didn't have a Ranger contract when he went to Basic. He signed up during Airborne School when they came through asking who wanted to join the Rangers. At first he was intimidated and second guessing himself as to why he even signed up. He kept hearing all of these horror stories which eventually came true. He never gave up though, because he knew all the BS would eventually come to an end and it did. So before you choose, just get your mind right knowing it's going to suck for a while but you'll eventually make it through.
 
That's a good question, not sure I can answer it correctly... but I believe the answer is no you can't... you have to be a military member to be a Ranger. I do believe you can however go straight into ranger training from basic training. Probably best to talk to a US Army Recruiter and get some better information.

Regarding Green Berets, I believe they have a special program called "18X - Special Forces Candidate (Active Duty Enlistment Option)"

Individuals desiring a career in Special Forces who have no prior military service or who have separated from military service may enlist directly into the 18X MOS, and upon successful completion of upwards of six months of initial training be given the chance to be selected at the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course (SFAS).*source Wikipedia
 
Enlist with an Option 40. Guarantees you a spot on the RIP. If you are among the ~45% who pass (aswell as getting through OSUT, Airborne, etc), you will go straight from civilian to Ranger.
 
Nothing worthwhile is easy.....there is no easy quick path to becoming either a Ranger or a Green Beret.... while there are enlistment options that ease the transition.... it is not quick or easy....in the RIP program you must qualify .....pass Airborne training.....be assigned to the Regiment.....and prove yourself to the command before they will waste a school slot on you.....If you can not hack it.....they will re-assign you
....The 18X program is similar....there are no privates on an A-team.... the lowest rank is Sgt ......so until you attain the proper rank you wont qualify for them either.....beyond that you must also have a higher than average GT score (110).....pass a psychological exam.....Airborne school....PT test..... Q course.....etc.....usually A-team members are professionals and are usually on their second enlistment

I am both Ranger and Green Beret.... If you have questions just email me.... BOTH are worth career paths......but both have different missions and characteristics..... depends on what YOU want as to which is best for you
 
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