Life Question for ex military members [Archive]

Otter

07-14-2016, 10:11 PM

My nephew is hell bent and determined to try to get into the Army Rangers after college. He graduates once summer classes are over.

A little background: he’s a comp sci major which is the same thing I graduated in so he kind of hit me up for advice. I have no military experience what so ever. I’ve never served so I don’t know what to tell him from the military standpoint. He wants to pursue the intel path.

I know firsthand IT is a really competitive field right now for a lot of reasons and I honestly don’t think he’ll pull through the training then will be stuck into what the Army assigns. What happens if you go Army Ranger route and fail? But for the sake of argument, let’s assume he does.

How would an intel background in Army Rangers translate into finding a job four or five years down the road after receiving your BS in comp sci? I know a couple guys who were rangers and spec ops and would say about 50% said they were glad they went that path. And all of the 50% are glad they did it for the adventure. Those guys had a background of sports and adventure however. I’m not sure this kid could keep a hacky sack up for three kicks. No sports background what so ever.

I know we have quite a few ex-military guys here so I’m just seeing what feedback I can acquire. My gut feeling says “no.”

Any input?

Abba-Dabba

07-14-2016, 10:25 PM

Ranger contract and fail? 11B Infantryman

Intel background in the Rangers? What do you mean? Rangers are infantryman at the basic skill set.

'Hamas' Jenkins

07-14-2016, 10:27 PM

I played as a Ranger quite often in Modern Warfare 2. PM me for advice.

Discuss Thrower

07-14-2016, 10:31 PM

Not Army, but here's something that seems informative. (http://www.goarmy.com/ranger/joining-the-rangers.html)

The Franchise

07-14-2016, 10:34 PM

What's his reasons for wanting to be a Ranger?

Otter

07-14-2016, 10:37 PM

Ranger contract and fail? 11B Infantryman

Intel background in the Rangers? What do you mean? Rangers are infantryman at the basic skill set. Dude, you might as well be asking me what it's like to give birth or have a period. I'm taking his word for it that there's intel path when you join the rangers or there's a path down the line.Thank you for the fail option however.

Otter

07-14-2016, 10:39 PM

What's his reasons for wanting to be a Ranger? I'm guessing about 10% to help pay college and 90% something to prove. I didn't ask. He's 24 years old and still full of piss and vinegar I'm guessing.

raybec 4

07-14-2016, 10:40 PM

I was Army, 11b infantry. My advice would be to apply as an officer. He will get to chose a career field and then he will get the opportunity to apply for Special Ops at a later time. If he washes out of Ranger school then, he doesn't get stuck as 11b. If he goes enlisted and has Ranger school on his contract and washes out that's automatic 11b with the rest of us dummies

Abba-Dabba

07-14-2016, 10:42 PM

Best advice I can give. If he is looking for opportunity after the military. A Ranger contract, which sends you to Ft. Benning for Infantry OSUT. After graduation you will go on to Airborne school at Ft. Benning. From there you will be assigned to a Ranger Regt. You will have a period of of time in the unit before you are slotted for Pre-Ranger. If you complete Pre-Ranger, your next step is Ranger school. If you complete that, you are a true tabbed Ranger. Not until you complete Ranger school are you a Ranger. And then back to your unit. If you fail, the Ranger Regt. has the option to send you back through when a slot opens again or send you to a 11B unit.

Either way Infantry in any shape or form does not give a broad spectrum of opportunities in the real world.

Go medical. Helicopter Turbine mechanic. Something, anything that teaches you an actual skill rather than how to hunt humans.

Become a Warrant Officer. Not Infantry, not Ranger.

Perineum Ripper

07-14-2016, 10:43 PM

http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/careers/army/2016/04/18/army-ranger-now-long-list-job-opportunities/82929492/

I was a Ranger and then on to SF..so I will offer you a little inside advice to pass along

Ranger school fucking sucks..you are completely exhausted, stressed, starving, and then you get pushed way past all that to a new world of fucking suck

If quitting ever enters the brain you are done..the mind is the biggest enemy..almost anyone can meet the basic physical requirements but the mentally weak are gone in a hurry

Otter

07-14-2016, 10:43 PM

I was Army, 11b infantry. My advice would be to apply as an officer. He will get to chose a career field and then he will get the opportunity to apply for Special Ops at a later time. If he washes out of Ranger school then, he doesn't get stuck as 11b. If he goes enlisted and has Ranger school on his contract and washes out that's automatic 11b with the rest of us dummies Thanks. I know there are no definite answers but what's your opinion on how that translates into civilian life 4-5 years later?

raybec 4

07-14-2016, 10:44 PM

Best advice I can give. If he is looking for opportunity after the military. A Ranger contract, which sends you to Ft. Benning for Infantry OSUT. After graduation you will go on to Airborne school at Ft. Benning. From there you will be assigned to a Ranger Regt. You will have a period of of time in the unit before you are slotted for Pre-Ranger. If you complete Pre-Ranger, your next step is Ranger school. If you complete that, you are a true tabbed Ranger. Not until you complete Ranger school are you a Ranger. And then back to your unit. If you fail, the Ranger Regt. has the option to send you back through when a slot opens again or send you to a 11B unit.

Either way Infantry in any shape or form does not give a broad spectrum of opportunities in the real world.

Go medical. Helicopter Turbine mechanic. Something, anything that teaches you an actual skill rather than how to hunt humans.

Become a Warrant Officer. Not Infantry, not Ranger.

Hey! I was more than prepared to be a security guard, or a garbage man! take it easy on us body bag fillers

raybec 4

07-14-2016, 10:46 PM

Thanks. I know there are no definite answers but what's your opinion on how that translates into civilian life 4-5 years later?

It really doesn't in terms of marketable skills. It teaches you a ton of great things like discipline, integrity, sacrifice, and commitment. No hiring manager I ever met wanted those things over experience in the field of the career.

Abba-Dabba

07-14-2016, 10:47 PM

Hey! I was more than prepared to be a security guard, or a garbage man! take it easy on us body bag fillers

I have my blue cord too. I have no regrets.

I am not saying an infantryman can not be more than those things. Matter of a fact. I would have more faith in them to become more than is expected. But you know...

Otter

07-14-2016, 10:50 PM

Best advice I can give. If he is looking for opportunity after the military. A Ranger contract, which sends you to Ft. Benning for Infantry OSUT. After graduation you will go on to Airborne school at Ft. Benning. From there you will be assigned to a Ranger Regt. You will have a period of of time in the unit before you are slotted for Pre-Ranger. If you complete Pre-Ranger, your next step is Ranger school. If you complete that, you are a true tabbed Ranger. Not until you complete Ranger school are you a Ranger. And then back to your unit. If you fail, the Ranger Regt. has the option to send you back through when a slot opens again or send you to a 11B unit.

Either way Infantry in any shape or form does not give a broad spectrum of opportunities in the real world.

Go medical. Helicopter Turbine mechanic. Something, anything that teaches you an actual skill rather than how to hunt humans.

Become a Warrant Officer. Not Infantry, not Ranger. Thank you. How hard is rangers school? I know it's hard but for a guy who's been a computer guy his whole life. I'm actually afraid this guy doesn't know what he's getting into.

Otter

07-14-2016, 10:59 PM

http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/careers/army/2016/04/18/army-ranger-now-long-list-job-opportunities/82929492/

I was a Ranger and then on to SF..so I will offer you a little inside advice to pass along

Ranger school fucking sucks..you are completely exhausted, stressed, starving, and then you get pushed way past all that to a new world of fucking suck

If quitting ever enters the brain you are done..the mind is the biggest enemy..almost anyone can meet the basic physical requirements but the mentally weak are gone in a hurry Yeah, I think I'm going to have to find someone back home with some military experience to meet with him and his recruiter. Good job by the way. I know it's not easy. Green Beret?

Abba-Dabba

07-14-2016, 11:00 PM

Thank you. How hard is rangers school? I know it's hard but for a guy who's been a computer guy his whole life. I'm actually afraid this guy doesn't know what he's getting into.

It is very hard. As said previously, it will bring out the quit in people. Hungry, cold, hot, sweaty, dirty, exhausting. But it is not as hard as it used to be. 20yrs ago several young men lost their lives in Ranger school freezing in a Florida swamp. I know people who have broken their back and legs in ranger school and be done. It is a tough road. But attainable for those who have and know what it truly means to have the heart to do it.

Otter

07-14-2016, 11:17 PM

It is very hard. As said previously, it will bring out the quit in people. Hungry, cold, hot, sweaty, dirty, exhausting. But it is not as hard as it used to be. 20yrs ago several young men lost their lives in Ranger school freezing in a Florida swamp. I know people who have broken their back and legs in ranger school and be done. It is a tough road. But attainable for those who have and know what it truly means to have the heart to do it. Yeah, I'm pretty sure ol' Matt has no idea and his recruiter is talking this up. I'm gonna put him in touch with my cousin Bob back in PA and have him be a consultant on the next recruiter visit.Thanks guys. I really appreciate the input and will re-visit in the morning.

Perineum Ripper

07-14-2016, 11:28 PM

Yeah, I think I'm going to have to find someone back home with some military experience to meet with him and his recruiter. Good job by the way. I know it's not easy. Green Beret?

Yes I got my Green Hat

RobBlake

07-14-2016, 11:45 PM

Yes I got my Green Hat

wanna fight?

Perineum Ripper

07-15-2016, 12:55 AM

wanna fight?

http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/453478885498576896/9NBz5jFB.jpeg

Don't you look like this

alanm

07-15-2016, 02:25 AM

http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/careers/army/2016/04/18/army-ranger-now-long-list-job-opportunities/82929492/

I was a Ranger and then on to SF..so I will offer you a little inside advice to pass along

Ranger school fucking sucks..you are completely exhausted, stressed, starving, and then you get pushed way past all that to a new world of fucking suck

If quitting ever enters the brain you are done..the mind is the biggest enemy..almost anyone can meet the basic physical requirements but the mentally weak are gone in a hurryThis. Just tell him to turn his brain off and keep his body moving. He will survive.

ChiefRocka

07-15-2016, 05:26 AM

Tell him go to OCS and get into Army Acquisitions.

BigBeauford

07-15-2016, 06:59 AM

If he will have a degree, he needs to do everything in his power to become an officer. Junior enlisted quality of life can vary wildly, and tends to be poor, especially for that of an 11b.

Bwana

07-15-2016, 07:08 AM

Joe the bottom line is if he is going to spend years of his life in the service, he damn well better pick something that will make him employable when he's done.

Marcellus

07-15-2016, 07:46 AM

Aside from not having to deal with as much as shit as the enlisted guys, officers make WAY WAY WAY more money.

Tell him to try for OCS since he will have a degree. He can still do all hooa shit like Rangers and will get priority for other kick ass military schools.

MIAdragon

07-15-2016, 08:32 AM

Former Naval Intel. Not sure the Ranger aspect will add much unless he wants to join a security team in the sand. His security clearance on the other hand is a million dollar asset. Firms will be throwing money at you as long as you're not a complete idiot.

Red Dawg

07-15-2016, 09:00 AM

Joe the bottom line is if he is going to spend years of his life in the service, he damn well better pick something that will make him employable when he's done.

This is a very true statement that I can personally vouch for. I did over 22 years AF and my trans/logistics career field is almost worthless in civilian life. Pay is crap and management positions are not easy to get because you have no experience other than military.

A Ranger would probably go down the security road path or cops on the outside. Maybe a VA police trainer.

If he can be an officer then go aviation. Helicopters or airplanes. Shiaaaaaaaaaat man Baby! Those dudes role in the money and hot tail.

Dayze

07-15-2016, 11:04 AM

I was enlisted navy, but I tell anyone who asks......go in the military, regardless of branch, as an officer. Your time while In will be better, your pay is a lot better, and IMO you're more marketable in the civilian world as a veteran officer than an enlisted guy (short of having a very specific skill that translates directly to the sender or similar civilian job)

I chose naval intelligence as my MOS, wih the intent of going into law enforcement when I got out. After spending probably 3-4 years trying to get hired on to a department with no avail......didn't work out like I planned. Primarily because departments wanted a college degree.

My $.02 if you already have a degree then try everything you can to be an officer. Looks better on a resume IMO.

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

raybec 4

07-26-2016, 11:19 PM

Any update on your nephew Otter?

listopencil

07-26-2016, 11:27 PM

Tell him to go into the Air Force instead.

Otter

07-27-2016, 03:29 AM

Any update on your nephew Otter?

I haven't heard much since he initially called me and asked my 2 cents from a comp sci backround. Two posters sent me PMs about how to best approach the situation if that's the road he really wants to go down. If they want to chime in on who they are and what they said I'll leave that up to them but they offered sincere advice in confidence and you probably wouldn't guess who the bad asses were if you had 20 tries.

It's always the quiet ones you have to worry about.

My advice was that IT changes so quick once he's done with his Ranger gig the technology is going to have changed so much it's going to be a different world than he was taught in college.

I would never piss on any ones dreams but this guy is a 6' 3" klutz with no sports background what so ever. I don't know much (anything really) about what it's like to join a combat team but I'm guessing you kind of need to be athletic.

I'm actually kind of curious how this pans out and will update. But bottom line is there's no decision yet. But thank you for interest I'll let ya know. The guy seems hell bent and determined to prove he can do it.

tooge

07-27-2016, 07:07 AM

Best advice I can give. If he is looking for opportunity after the military. A Ranger contract, which sends you to Ft. Benning for Infantry OSUT. After graduation you will go on to Airborne school at Ft. Benning. From there you will be assigned to a Ranger Regt. You will have a period of of time in the unit before you are slotted for Pre-Ranger. If you complete Pre-Ranger, your next step is Ranger school. If you complete that, you are a true tabbed Ranger. Not until you complete Ranger school are you a Ranger. And then back to your unit. If you fail, the Ranger Regt. has the option to send you back through when a slot opens again or send you to a 11B unit.

Either way Infantry in any shape or form does not give a broad spectrum of opportunities in the real world.

Go medical. Helicopter Turbine mechanic. Something, anything that teaches you an actual skill rather than how to hunt humans.

Become a Warrant Officer. Not Infantry, not Ranger.

This. As a college grad, he will want to be an officer anyhow. Do something with electronics, engineering, etc. Rangers are awesome and badass, but unless he plans to teach survival or guide camping trips after the army, it's not a real life transition type of position.

BlackHelicopters

07-27-2016, 07:23 AM

I am a college grad and dental school grad. My specific path was set. Officer all the way.

arrwheader

07-27-2016, 08:03 AM

I will say this. Any infantry job isn't going to translate to shit in the outside world. Hell I was an IT MOS when I was in and it was difficult finding a decent, well paying job afterwords. Him having a college degree is what will get him a job after the Army. I think employers look at ex military and are scared they are going to be too "I only follow orders and can't think on my own." Especially Army vets. They have some persona of being some bad ass that knows how to kill people and it blinds them to what they actually are trying to offer in the workplace. I ended up putting less military on my resume and more of my college and civilian stuff and found a really great job. That could just be a coincidence and with the whole economy thing but idk.

If he wants to serve and be among some of the best that's the best route. If he washes out he will probably be stuck at 11B, I would go the officer route if it were me. Better pay and more say in what you do. Like what Otter said.

Fansy the Famous Bard

07-27-2016, 09:10 AM

Couldn't disagree more. My military service has helped me along the way. It simply depends on the company\person doing the hiring.

Otter

12-09-2016, 11:54 PM

Any update on your nephew Otter? Cousin Matt failed out of Ranger School in about 3 weeks and is now in Army infantry with a BS in comp sci.Book smart guy with no common sense. I'll keep the futon warm for him until he gets caught up.I don't know the details outside of 2nd hand but that's the status from what I hear.

Abba-Dabba

12-10-2016, 12:05 AM

Cousin Matt failed out of Ranger School in about 3 weeks and is now in Army infantry with a BS in comp sci.Book smart guy with no common sense. I'll keep the futon warm for him until he gets caught up.

Poor guy. It can be a frustrating road. But 11B might be up his alley more though. You never know. Common misconception on Infantry is that only unintelligent people fill it's ranks. Which is not true. Some of our best military minds came from Infantry. Every officer I ever met worth his salt spent time as an Infantry officer.

Best advice I can give. If he is looking for opportunity after the military. A Ranger contract, which sends you to Ft. Benning for Infantry OSUT. After graduation you will go on to Airborne school at Ft. Benning. From there you will be assigned to a Ranger Regt. You will have a period of of time in the unit before you are slotted for Pre-Ranger. If you complete Pre-Ranger, your next step is Ranger school. If you complete that, you are a true tabbed Ranger. Not until you complete Ranger school are you a Ranger. And then back to your unit. If you fail, the Ranger Regt. has the option to send you back through when a slot opens again or send you to a 11B unit.

How far off was I?

Otter

12-10-2016, 12:19 AM

Poor guy. It can be a frustrating road. But 11B might be up his alley more though. You never know. Common misconception on Infantry is that only unintelligent people fill it's ranks. Which is not true. Some of our best military minds came from Infantry. Every officer I ever met worth his salt spent time as an Infantry officer.

How far off was I? Sounds correct. I have a quiet a few ex-military buds and have no idea what lingo you guys speak but it sounds about right.He should be in good shape when he's done if nothing else. :shrug:

Saccopoo

12-10-2016, 12:52 AM

Thank you. How hard is rangers school? I know it's hard but for a guy who's been a computer guy his whole life. I'm actually afraid this guy doesn't know what he's getting into.

You never know until you try.

Oh, btw, it will kick the shit out of you. Infantry basic at Benning will kick his ass. Airbourne will kick his ass. Ranger school? Exponential kick your ass.

Because they don't want wussy little fucks in the Rangers.

That being said, one of the most worthless fucks I ever met in my time in the military had his wings and a Ranger tab. Fucking fatbody couldn't make it through a once a week battalion run. I had him Article 15'd out because he was such a piece of shit.

Rangers. He could be slogging a 60mm mortar and ammo through cold as shit Georgia rain and mud. Or a 240 and ammo.

I fucking loved hearing little pussies cry like babies because the couldn't hack shit in even infantry basic let alone Airbourne or Ranger.

There was one kid who tried to eat a box of Tide to try and get out of his signature.

You never know though...the kid could end up being fucking Audie Murphy.

You don't know how you will turn out until you try. If he wants to be GI Joe, let him try it.

However, my brother earns $160k a year playing World of Warcraft from his house doing IT shit for the government.

Sounds better than an E6 with a bad attitude putting a boot up your ass so far that you can use the laces for dental floss.