I have spoke with a recruiter about joining the Army and going into the Infantry. More specifically, completing Airborne, RIP, and Ranger schools. I was told that I could sign it in my contract where I would be gauranteed a spot in the 75th Ranger Regiment (if I passed the courses) as long as I passed the ASVAB and MEPS. I want to make sure that I can get Airborne and Ranger schools in my contract and was wondering if anyone knew about this or had any thoughts?

Your recruiter knows best, but yeah thats the deal, there are a couple of things your should know about. Obviously Ranger training is hard of course and you have to be sure its what you want. Everyone says to start working out before you go and so I will join the choir, if you go to basic training and make it a point to pass the 50 percent PT standard and barely make that goal you will not make it in ranger school. It doesnt take someone with the tab to tell you that its the hardest thing you will ever do. But it be the most bearable thing you have done, and being in good physical shape will help you. But as for just joining, study for the asvab, study, study, study. That test will make or break a career with regards to what jobs you want. You can get either of those in your contract just make sure its in writing. Dont fall for the "When you get to basic training ask your chain of command." excuse. You will fight a uphill battle from there if you do. As for MEPS dont worry about it. Just make sure you give the right information, if you go back on it at reception or training you will be a hold over. God help ya if you are, When you get to 30th AG (your reception station for Ft. Benning) imagine being there for 6 months or longer.

What do mean by this:

"As for MEPS dont worry about it. Just make sure you give the right information, if you go back on it at reception or training you will be a hold over. God help ya if you are, When you get to 30th AG (your reception station for Ft. Benning) imagine being there for 6 months or longer."

I have heard that the training for basic is not even a comparison to Ranger school so I am going into Basic with the intent to pass the Ranger scores not just the basic scores. I am extremely excited about the challenge and am taking the ASVAB today.

Do you need a particular score to get into Infantry or to be a Ranger?

Thanks again for the info!

Meps is a no brainer really, just go in and let them do the work all your really do is stand around. But if you say something at meps about your health and then you change it when you get to your reception batallion they hold you until you are clear to ship. When i got there some guys have been there for 6 months. I cant really explain to ya how it is just that when you get there its your first taste of the military and alot of people dont like it, but once you get settled in its not that bad. Except if you have to stay there longer than about 2 weeks. You sounds motivated enough to pass ranger schoo, ill give you that. Basic training is cake, you shouldnt have any problems there. Ya know to be honest i dont know the entery level requirements that are required to get in and im not going to start giving you false information but you should be ok as long as you just try to get the best score. anything over a 60 should get you infantry and ranger.

Best of luck to you,

and once you go through MEPS and are cleared, whatever you do, stay out of trouble. you don't want to get into any trouble with the law. i knew one person who joined, his contract garunteed a spot in airborne school, and a place in the 82nd Airborne. he was all good to go and he was stupid and was arrested for breaking into a closed sporting goods store. now, he is back at Mcdonalds and obviosly not going into the Army anymore.

Thanks for the advice. I got an 81 on my ASVAB. I guess that should work for the infantry. I am looking forward to getting through this process and into the army.

My concern for MEPS is that I have a scar on my knee from a motorcycle wreck and was wondering if they are going to go crazy about it? It is not that noticeable. Everyone has told me that the Dr. and MEPS only knows what you tell them. Is that what you were talking about when the person got held at the reception battalion? Or did the person change something at the battalion at his own request. Either way once I get a clear bill of health, I will be ready to go.

Thanks again for all of the info.

So long as it doesn't look like a surgical scar you're good. But they will take note of it for identification purposes if nothing else.

I was under the impression that the doctors didnt examine you that closely and only looked into things you disclosed. Other than the duck walk I havent heard of anyother tests performed that would make a doctor question something that was not disclosed.

The scar is just straight and maybe like 3 inches. I have been advised just to see if they notice it and then if so tell them what happened. I just want Infantry so bad that I cannot afford any medical problems.

I wouldnt even worry about it. Hold out until they notice it and if they ask dont make a big story about it just say what happened. There not in the habit of kicking people out for scars. Unless it was surgical. Now if there are problems with your knees you will have a problem. If they are weaker than normal or sensitive, if they dont blow ou in basic training they will prolly get you in airborne. Its also true they dont examine you under a microscope.

Thanks for the info! We shall see the results next week on Friday.

You are doing what I want to do except for one thing. I am joing the Reserves and doing the Split Option where I do basic training before my senior year of high school. Then after high school doing AIT then transfering to the Army for Airborne School, RIP, and Ranger Schools. I hope you make it. Good Luck.

Tim Marchiorello

Thanks. Just got back from MEPS and everything went okay. I have to get an ortho for my right wrist that has a little trouble supinating...but other than that it went okay and they didnt even say anything about my knee. So that was good news. Thanks for the help and I will let ya'll know what happens after the ortho visit.