<p>I know this forum is centered on the admissions process, but I also know that many people are interested in life during and after West Point. Having been a grad for almost a year now (how the time flies), I wanted to put my hand on the table for any questions that might be out there about either time at the academy, or the wonderful land of TRADOC that follows. I've been through BOLC II, IOBC, and Ranger School, and am currently getting ready to PCS to Ft. Campbell with the 101st Airborne, so although my experience is very limited, I know I had a lot of questions about what came after graduation that I would have love to have answered.
I hope I can be of assistance.</p>
<p>Do you know if you're getting a platoon yet? I didn't, and most of the LTs here in Korea are doing staff jobs.</p>
<p>What a sweet thread!</p>
<p>Is BOLC II the branch-irrelevant OBC? Like in the Marines, with the whole TBS concept where all the officers go through the same initial training before going to their branch-specific OBC? </p>
<p>How has all this regular-Army training affected your confidence in your ability to lead a platoon? Are you much more confident now than when you first graduated? </p>
<p>Compared to your peers who went through OCS or ROTC, how well do you think West Point prepared you? Not necessarily better, but differently? </p>
<p>Since alot of your peers had a "normal" college experience, how do you think you stack up socially? Can you relate to the other LT's? </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>bzzzt, I have no idea, I'm going to 1-502 so hopefully they'll have slots, but everyone and their mother went to Campbell this year, so we'll see, I'd imagine I'd get one at some point.</p>
<p>yeah, BOLC II is branch irrelevent. It is also stupid and dumb. It was hard as an infantry officer to deal with training that was so basic and, in my eyes, worthless. I had a good time and met a lot of good people, but as far as getting a lot out of the training, I would say I didnt get a whole lot.
As far as confidence in leading a PLT, I think it's remained about the same since I've graduated. Ranger School pretty much destroys any sense of confidence you have, so it might take a while to get back into that. I feel that when I get to my unit, I'll be fine walking in and taking a PLT.<br>
As far as teh OCS/ROTC/WP thing, I'm not all that sure. There are duds from all 3 sources, but my BOLC II/IOBC classes were predominantly West Pointers, so I didnt interact much with the other sources. In Ranger School, I found several ROTC grads to have rather large chips on their shoulders regarding West Point and felt that the school was a waste because we were no better than they were. Most of this was because we had one pretty jacked up guy from WP in my PLT, but it dragged a lot of people's opinions of the academy down. I remember enlisted guys from Ranger Regiment talking about how Ranger School lowered their opinion of West Pointers because we werent all that squared away, but in my honest opinion, Ranger School lowerd my opinion of Ranger Regiment because they had many soldiers that werent all that squared away. Bottom line is there will always be strife between WP and ROTC, and it's the individual, not the institution, that guarantees leadership.
We relate fine with other LTs, but I think they are a bit awkward around us because we all have this strange bond and all these stories and friends in common, that ROTC grads dont relate to. I hung out with plenty of OCS/ROTC guys during BOLC and IOBC though, and there were no issues. It's really only an issue if you make it one.</p>
<p>how does one get selected to attend ranger school, specifically new Lts? is it the same for all branches?</p>
<p>It all depends on the branch. If you're infantry, you have to go pretty much. At IOBC you have to sign a sheet saying you'll go and if you dont you have to talk to the Battalion Commander. The only way you can get out of going to Ranger School and an active duty infantry LT is if you cant meet the minimum PT test standards for Ranger School while at IOBC.
As far as other branches, I cant say for sure for every branch, but my friends from FA, ADA, and Armor pretty much had to say they wanted to go, and then they went into a pre Ranger course at their OBC where they did extra PT and classes and road marches and such. I believe that's how it works for most branches.</p>
<p>You said that "Ranger School lowerd my opinion of Ranger Regiment because they had many soldiers that werent all that squared away"... raised a question in my mind: how hard is Ranger School really?</p>
<p>And to follow up on that question, I thought that getting through something like Ranger School would give you more confidence in your abilities to lead/think in really physically/mentally demanding situations. How did it do the opposite? lol I'm not trying to grill you, just want the opinion of someone whose BTDT.</p>
<p>First, to chackster, Ranger School is the hardest, most realistic training the Army has to offer. With that being said, I felt that the school really wasnt that hard, but it just sucked a lot. However, the school still maintains a 50 percent attrition rate, which is fairly significant. To cut the short and skinny, the school may not be that "difficult," but it is hard as hell, if that makes sense.</p>
<p>Second, to futurewarrior. I did not say that Ranger School did the opposite, I just said that it destroys your confidence. You have to understand that in Ranger School you're being graded as a leader on little to no sleep with little food and with RI's who could care less. No matter what, you're going to mess up and everything you do is going to be wrong. You just need to understand that and drive on and try to complete the mission with the understanding that you're all messed up. In that manner, it's a lot similar to West Point the first two years, where everything you do is wrong for the most part. I did not mean to convey the idea that I was less prepared because of Ranger School. I learned a lot about myself and about others, but it's just different. Ranger School teaches you limits, and yes, you learn to drive beyond those limits, but you end up still running into limits that your mind/body wont overcome.</p>
<p>Ok, thanks for clarifying that.</p>
<p>Hi, </p>
<p>I have been trying to find out some information regarding West Point and Ranger School and I haven’t been able to find much. First of all West Point. I am an 8th grade student and at the top of my class in grades and good physically. My running is pretty good, but not for over 2 miles. My pushups are ok to me, but I think I need improvement. As for pull ups, well, lets just say I suck at them. Ok, now for Ranger School. Did you attend Ranger School while you were at West Point? Also, how can I prepare mentally. I know I will want to quit but I know I won’t. And I consider myself a pretty good leader when it comes to anything. </p>
<p>But in conclusion, I just need to know some info on how to prepare and what to expect.</p>
<p>Thanks, </p>
<p>George Delisle</p>
<p>This is an old thread. You might want to post a new thread on the West Point page. Take your name out too. :-)</p>
<p>George,</p>
<p>I commend your interest and say you have a long road ahead so my advice would be to pace yourself. What do I mean by that? I mean do not focus solely on getting into West Point. I do think goals are good, but do not forget to widen your horizons. No, you do not attend Ranger School at West Point, it will come afterwards. Your running will need to improve, a lot. But that will come as you grow. You have five years before West Point is an option, you will change dramatically in that time, both physically and mentally.</p>
<p>You might begin by starting to read the admissions pages found here: [USMA</a> Admissions: Home](<a href=“http://admissions.usma.edu/]USMA”>http://admissions.usma.edu/)</p>
<p>That’s a great place to start. Then read some of the various books on what it’s like to be a cadet and soldier in the Army.</p>
<p>Feel free to ask other questions as you plan your course. But remember, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.</p>
<p>I know this is an old thread, but I’m hoping someone will see it and be able to answer my question. I am going into West Point in less than 2 weeks and have been looking a little bit into what I want to do in the military. As of right now, I plan on branching infantry and trying to get into the 82nd Airborne division. However, I also want to earn my Ranger tab. I believe I saw that most WP grads who branch infantry pretty much have to go to Ranger school. Is this true? And (once Ranger School is completed and you have become a ranger) can you still go to an Airborne division like the 101st or 82nd? Or do you have to go somewhere like the 75th Ranger Regiment?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>