14-89. Be in shape - more of a gut check. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it. Great experience. You will carry it for the rest of your life and you will always be proud of yourself for the accomplishment.
We were in the same class together then! My ranger buddy was CSM Johnson…he was our class honor graduate. Do you remember the night movements during swamp phase? Lol
@@cbennett88 I remember one that went on for what seemed like forever; guys were falling asleep and walking into trees, and one very tall lanky guy that began mumbling to himself at about 0230 and other guys around him kept telling him to be quiet; “I gotta get outta here” (guy was in a mental haze for about a day after that walk).
@@russream3732 I’m glad you replied! I have run into 1 other of our classmates. Didn’t know him during class, but during a completely random coincidences, we met while he was visiting Vegas (where I live). I’m going to let him know I have “met” you. His name was Ranger Radovich…ring any bells?
So…the particular event in swamp phase happened late one night as the class was attempting a stream crossing prior to the rubber boats. It was so black you couldn’t see anything! But…the entire class was attempting the movement in separate “lanes” about 50 yards apart. As you said, everyone was exhausted, wet and cold. Remember the “wait a minute vines”? Made moving quietly impossible but that’s what the RI’s demanded. Anyway…suddenly you hear this student start screaming “F#%k this sh$t!! I QUIT! I QUIT!!” I think even a white light flashlight came on (Which of course was forbidden). 😂 RI’s started shouting “WHO SAID THAT?!?” Luckily for me it wasn’t someone from my platoon, but one in the next lane over. RI’s started to swarm that group from everywhere. You could hear them all shouting as they tried to figure out who was quitting. Never found out anything more about what happened to that student, but it did help us out because all the instructors were focused there! 😂
I went to the last hard class Feb-April 85. LOL. Similar experienced, Our cycle went City/Benning, Mountain, Desert/Bliss, Florida, back to Benning. Good memories - thanks. DOL
I was a Medic. I went through class 6-86 and made it through the 1st time. My 1st Sgt. told me...don't come back without that black and gold tab. If you do...don't come back. I loved being in the 3rd Range Bn. at Fort Benning. The soldiers I served with were the best of the best! The best of the best! I was honored to be their Medic!
Graduated class 1-95. I was in 3/75 as a PFC when I attended. I’d say it was 80 percent mental but by no means easy. You do NOT want to go back to Ranger Battalion without your tab. We went through Darby phase at Benning. Afterwards took buses to Mountain phase. From there jumped into Ft. Bliss (for those airborne qualified) legs took buses. I believe we all took buses to Florida for some reason. My ranger buddy was an SF Captain and he was the honor grad. Great guy. Luckily I went straight through. Also I think the class that had all of the drownings in FLA was a couple classes after mine.
In the 82nd 2/504 Recon Platoon. Everybody in our platoon was required to get tabbed in order to stay in the platoon. I went to Ranger school 1 year after you did, when it was real. You are speaking truth! My Ranger buddy was better than me, so Darby Queen was not that bad for me. God, the memories are flooding back! I miss those days!
Fort Benning, 1989...I remember it well. I was in Airborne school right out of AIT as a pv1. They rushed us through for Winter Exodus so we jumped 4 times in a single day at the end of the second week. Then it froze solid as we were prepping for our final jumps the next day but...no planes available, rangers and SF dudes are showing up and preventing us from jumping. Saw my one and only Air America jetliner land at Lawson Army Airfield. They marched us back to the barracks and the next day we watched the Panama invasion on the Day Room TV. Waited two or three more days to get planes and final jumps. I think I flew home on Dec 22 or 23 for XMAS.
Went to ranger school in summer of 1970. Had already completed the Q course and was on an ODA in 10th Group. Had a 10 year break and came back in as an 11B because I had been an O5B4S and 18E had replace it . Was in 82nd LRSU got sent to Dugway as an RI 88 to 89. I loved putting spot reports on front sights. I was an ALFA Co " ALFA RAT". went back to SF in time for "STROM" and many middle east tours. Thanks for your service. 18E4VW8.
Interesting video. Rangers have a long history with in the military going back to the Seven years war, aka French and Indian war. Never forget 12/20/1989. Thank you Karl for your service.
It's not just a gut check. You have to lead patrols while you are exhausted, starved and stressed. So learn what an operations order is and how to give one before you go. I was able to handle the physical aspect, but I struggled to do anything technical (mission planning) while only half-aware due to physical stresses. I graduated, but it was the mission leadership that was the challenge (many thanks to my batboys for the support). The two primary tests are 1) can you endure and hang in there physically on 2-3 hours of rest and few calories and constant stress and 2) can you plan, lead and execute missions while suffering a massive sleep and calorie deficit. In the beginning, candidates dropped from physical failure, later they failed leadership roles. Both are critical.
Went to Ranger School about 6 months after Desert Storm. Started class 1-92, graduated 2-92 (Florida phase twice). Still to this I’m am still wondering how i did it. 1/325 AIR, 82nd Airborne
IN officer who flunked in 1988. When did this Ranger not a Ranger controversy start? When you graduate from Ranger school you are a Ranger. Everyone knows/knew the differences between a school Ranger and a Batt boy. Both are Rangers. One of the most disolusioning things I experienced was 3 Batt Boys who intentionally went to school as E4's to flunk so they could leave their battalions. Not going back was a mistake (as was not being prepared in the 1st place).
Right Sir, this is a stupid comparison. Ranger school originally was to train small unit leaders to be farmed out to the Infantry units and bring the confidence of graduating Ranger School with you and bring the standards up in the unit you are assigned. Ranger units are that, an organic unit. Ranger Course graduates are Rangers by the definition of the original intent that pre-dates Ranger Battalions.
Excellent story time Karl! And oh the memories! - 2/75 Ranger Battalion - Ranger Class 11/76 Like with most classes, we started with about 120 and about 80 graduated. Then feasting on the "Ranger Special" = 7 course meal (7 complete meals)!
Great presentation. Ranger school was different in many, many ways in the winter of ‘63-‘64 (to be honest, probably easier - less chicken-). Way too many stories to tell, but the bottom line in Vietnam was: that was how to lead a patrol. Good training.
Simple, identify as a Wooman and the standards will be lowered. You will get shower days more rest , chow, guaranteed goes when the whole patrol fails, major plusses for fuk ups...It will be in the bag.
Be in shape, have some intestinal fortitude and conduct your patrols as you are taught in Ranger School. I spent a few years as an RI in Florida and I can’t tell you how many NOGOs I gave because failing to do simple patrol base activities. I was shocked how easy it was from the time I went(winter 91) and the time I was an instructor(08). The gut check was non existent.
Don't they even provide a girl, or if lucky a couple, for them nowadays? Sorry, could not resist. If the ladies can match the guys, then more power to them.
My son got his tab a year ago so I love hearing all the Ranger stories. Any idea when they stopped doing "desert phase"? He was done after "swamp phase" and went back to Benning for graduation then.
The school today is far different from the course we went through when god was a sergeant. Utah phase gone. Left and right limits during swamp operations. And now females can attend which speaks something is a bit off im thinking. Just different. If you dont mind the suck it doesnt matter
Don't quit, when in charge be in charge, don't be a spot light ranger, support your leadership, and don't be a dick....if you get a major minus don't sweat it just do better next time...oh and knots are dumb lol
Class 2-14…i got a major minus for refusing to turning my ir off during yohna…the guy behind me’s nods sucked and he couldn’t see Got a major plus and sent to Florida at the board for the same event, the co asked what happened…called my ranger buddy in an he explained he couldn’t see Went straight thru…that school sucked
Class 12-85 here...spot on about being in better than good PT shape...it will save you. While everyone else is exhausted you will be fine...and they won't screw with you if you act like more PT doesn't phase you. Fun hint...not sure they do it anymore...but I always volunteered as a road guard...sure you had to run ahead but once you got there you could catch your breath and run in place..but better still you didn't have to run in formation. We also weren't allowed to sit down to eat...grab your tray, pile it with food, walk to the window to put your tray away...you wolfed down your food...as a matter of fact...right after Ranger school I went home for Thanksgiving...we are sitting around the table, plates piled high with good mama home cooked meal...tons of family...say the prayer and I hit that plate and am done in seconds...I look up and no one else has touched their food...they are all just staring at me. I just said...um...are there seconds? I also got a major minus...Night Ambush...Me and my Ranger Buddy David Calhoun (Dave if you see this give me a shout) are on left side security. Well...they keep pushing us further and further out as they adjust this vehicle ambush along a road. When the ambush initiates we see it...its way to our right...we are nibbling our MRE and waiting for the signal to collapse back to the ORP...next thing we hear is a noise behind us..."Halt...who is that?" They answer..."Dutch, Calhoun is that you? Then in a shout...Hey!!! They are over here!!!" We are like.."dude why are you shouting?? They say, "Man, we been looking for you guys for over an hour!!" Meanwhile the RI's are on the road yelling, "Where are those two cocksuckers?!! Yep..we fell asleep and in such a deep sleep we didn't know it just went from awake to awake...maybe we were kidnapped by aliens...I'll never know cause it's all blank...I do know that Calhoun and I were doing possum pushups against a tree until they got the next leadership ready for the next mission...fun times.
You gotta....learn a better way.....to tell your drawn out and totally real story....that isn't so....annoying and insufferable....did your.....family not.....know you were just.....coming back from Ranger....or something
If your peers like you and you don’t quit you will make it. Now all sorts of branches and foreigners can go to Ranger School, so many may not understand Army A.I.T. Airborne and get butt hurt.
@@RealJeep - I'm no apologist, I'm a defender of freedom, that's why I fought over there. There are still real men in the world who are willing to risk things for freedom but you wouldn't understand that hiding behind your keyboard. 🐈
Do Muslim soldiers get time to pray everyday to accommodate their religion? Do the biological male soldiers who identify as females get to shower everyday for their hygiene needs?
Dutch Chris Moyer talks about it on his interview with Mentors for Military. He said one guy was so close to land but quit without knowing how close he was.
Crazy how you body remembers frost bite. It overreacts for the rest of your life. I wasn't in the military but suffered frost bite many years ago and still suffer from it. Hands and feet but mostly feet.
My friend who went with me to the Philippines a couple of months ago was in the 2nd Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment. He told me that he didn't think the 75th was that hard. He said to me that it only takes two and a half months to become a part of the 75th. He said to me that he thinks that maybe Ranger School is harder. Also, one of my martial arts instructors, who is now deceased, was in 2nd Rangers of the 75th Ranger Regiment during the Vietnam War and he told me that it took 5 months to become a part of the 75th, so the Army has changed a lot. He also told me that during that time period they were called 1st Rangers, 2nd Rangers, or 3rd Rangers and they were not referred to as Battalions during that time.
You train once in batt. LOL rasp is just a selection process. Also you do realize that their PL are sometimes CPT or senior LT. They already held a plt prior
@@ssad47 My friend did 4 years in the Second Ranger Battalion and did two tours in Afghanistan. I believe he was a part of Echo Company because he was a weapons mechanic. The thing about him though is physically he is extremely strong and built like a tank, so it doesn't surprise me that he found RASP easy. He's unusually strong.
02-20 crazy to hear there was live fires in desert phase. Guess it really was harder once upon a time. The biggest stressor for me was 2 recycles and I would miss the birth of my child. Luckily made it straight through.
Yes sir. The mantra was to instill the the “Ranger” way into the force: train as you fight. Live fires were critical. We called Desert/Dugway the graduate phase.
It was the fourth phase aka the graduate phase. Live fire missions. The real deal. This phase was meant to instill the “train as you fight” mantra of the Rangers throughout the conventional force. It was tough, but there was more food and sleep as we were doing live fires.
If you're a woman in ranger school survival is easy. You get to go back to the barracks for "Hygiene reasons", get to make several tries at each obstacle and are coddled and encouraged the whole time to not give up. Diversity, isn't it great?
Not even tabbed but long SERE course .. you can always quit .. quitting is easy .. just go ahead and quit shit bag .. it all stops now if you simply quit . They aren’t looking for quitters
If Ranger School is a leadership school, what benefit does a SF soldier gain from going? They already been through BNOC and have small unit tactics and SERE and other deprecations in the SF pipeline, so what do you learn in Ranger School that you can't in SF? Prestige? Promotion points?
