How to Survive Ranger School | Tactical Rifleman

[@pauld.5222]

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!

[@williamwasserbeck5155]

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.

[@TacticalRifleman]

Awesome. Thanks for sharing and thank you for your service. TR

[@cbennett88]

You were probably one of my RI’s during Dugway. Class 14-89. I remember being surprised by how cold the desert got there

[@Ranger15893bn]

Lol, I was class 15-89, right before you. I was in Be No company. You definitely brought back old memories. I did 26 years with 12 years in SOF.

[@TacticalRifleman]

Awesome. Thanks for sharing and thank you for your service. Strength and Honor, TR

[@altruisticscoundrel]

Yay, Karl and I finally have something in common! I've never been in a Ranger regiment either.

[@EngineersQuest]

😂👍

[@VikingPreparedness]

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

[@PP-uw7kb]

I was B No 2-90, no recycle. I didn’t know the other companies had silverware, ha. I loved it.

[@russream3732]

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.

[@cbennett88]

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

[@russream3732]

@@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).

[@cbennett88]

@@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?

[@cbennett88]

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! 😂

[@cbennett88]

@russream3732 BTW…do you have a copy of our class graduation photo? I found it online years ago. I can share it with you

[@jeffcrawford3698]

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.

[@chrishooge3442]

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.

[@wayashootn]

Why am I watching this I already went to school? Because everyone who has been knows the best stories start with “one time at Ranger school”.

[@TacticalRifleman]

Too true

[@leifleblanc160]

Winter of 89 hmm Panama😅 Tab is an award, scroll is a way of life . RLTW

[@Stoney_AKA_James]

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)!

[@JohnWilliams-wz9vk]

Had some excellent troops..in my squad from Batt

[@gregbailey1753]

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).

[@ChristopherBeard-ru1wt]

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.

[@tor9273]

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.

[@nicowest3249]

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!

[@JohnWilliams-wz9vk]

3/505..class 12-90

[@jamesdelong6401]

😎🤘🇺🇸🍻. My dad was 82nd Airborne for 23 years.

[@RollerPigg]

Even though I was a REMF (Patriot Missile - 'cone head'), I used to Ranger-roll my BDU cap all the time... used to get smoked for that periodically.

[@flyingdutchman7585]

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.

[@kpay7294]

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

[@VictoryOrValhalla14]

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.

[@VikingPreparedness]

That is a shame

[@requited2568]

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.

[@tomyoung8563]

You forgot pull your weight and don’t be a d!ck Guys can peer you out or tank your leadership roles

[@MikeDodds]

Who were you with in the 101st? I was in D Co. 2/502 at the same time you were with the 101st…. Strike Force!!!

[@VictoryOrValhalla14]

@@MikeDodds spent 12 years in different units from LRSD, 2/506 scouts and 1/327 scouts.

[@MatthewODonohoe-of8qk]

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.

[@icterio1]

Very good video. Technical details, personal histories and context. That's quality right there.

[@TacticalRifleman]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@AV131082]

Another military school content, thank you very much! Keep up the good work!

[@eabaendallbeall7959]

Thank you for the video and sharing your experience.

[@FMD023]

I wish I knew more about the army when I first got in. I got denied to ranger school 4 times due to unit getting deployed. If you are new and young just remember “needs of the army.” Try to get all those school in your contract. I was told only way I get the nod is if I reenlist. I didn’t care to go to a ranger regiment, just wanted to go ranger school. Made e5 in 24 months n did the right things most of the time. After that incident, I knew if I wanted any type of army schools, it’s keep signing my life and I said nope, you got the most out of me and I got most out of the army ✌🏽

[@Vince-ml9gw]

Freakin burly. SGM, Thanks for your thoughts, stories, and insights on what sounds like a brutal course but also a course that pays big dividends.

[@scottsmith683]

I enjoy watching your channel I learn a lot from your channel TYVM FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE COUNTRY

[@UsRanger]

Great info. I went to RS as a Pfc from 1/75..Started 10/97 graduated 3/98...I got hurt in Mtns.. Recycled went all the way to the end of Mtns.. I fell asleep looking for my LpOp.. Day 1 recycle.. Went all the way through and got my Tab.. Never Quit. RLTW

[@TacticalRifleman]

Sounds like a tough experience but you made it! RLTW

[@UsRanger]

@@TacticalRifleman oh yea. Could NOT go back to Battalion without it.

[@EngineersQuest]

You went to Ranger School not long after I graduated from AIT. I guess I'm old too? I didn't feel it until now lol.

[@kathybell4878]

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.

[@Davinoadam]

I graduated in Class 04-99. Glad I went, but wouldn’t go again!

[@Bigfezzig]

Really interesting info, thanks Karl!

[@TacticalRifleman]

Glad you liked it!

[@rucksack3755]

Class 3-87 3/75 I was a mail order Spec because of JROTC in HS I’m watching to refresh some memories now that my son has signed his Option 40 contract. Fond memories of Blueberry pancakes rubber legs & blistered feet. Mountain was physically the toughest phase for me. Although Cole Range was worse in RIP IMO, I’ll never forget those tree line strolls & swimming in lake Victory 😉

[@TacticalRifleman]

Awesome. Thanks for sharing and thanks for your service. TR

[@copmedics-gr2br]

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

[@williamtoney2599]

A Ranger told me that it’s changed a lot. It had to in order for females to pass. They get the tab, but not assigned to a Ranger Battalion..,,

[@iyn1911]

Great quote, “they can kill me but can’t eat me”.

[@UCQQdmntLgp7x7tuRZojCwUA]

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.

[@seanmccarthy1135]

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.

[@11C1P]

A couple guys died in ranger school when I was stationed in Germany. IIRC they died in the Fla phase from exposure.

[@darrellshoup]

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.

[@jerryj3047]

awesome story, now i have PTSD frostbite is no joke🤣🤣

[@imdougiejr]

It’s mandatory now that infantry officers go. Now if you do not pass you’ll probably get thrown into a S Shop until you get that tab, at least on the active duty level.

[@OLDSOLDIER6]

Class 2-87 Good times. You can always do PT to warm up, but you can't piss ice water.

[@williamsweet7511]

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.

[@nodaklojack]

As someone who doesn't own any camouflage that fits, I approve this video.

[@JohnSmith-xd8do]

I came in first in land navigation. I used the SILVA 1 2 3 method of map reading. There are KZbin videos, it is better than the Army system

[@RiverCrow_88]

I saw the photo of you at the end of the line and was like "Why in the heck are there so many in this class?!" Ah.. the best of the infantry.

[@jastdi2]

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.

[@TacticalRifleman]

Thanks for the sharing

[@karlalbright2733]

Graduated Sep, 1970 sent to Nam, and since I'm writing this guess I made it back

[@aearnest]

how did you get your head to float like that in mid-air? Only can see your face and hands..so cool.

[@jeffreyjohnson6968]

I never went to ranger school while I was in but I went to sapper school, sappers clear the way!

[@EngineersQuest]

👍👍

[@Jason-cd1we]

My CQ Warrant was first Canadian to top all 4 phases in 1986

[@unvaccinatedmensclub]

Thanks for sharing good Sirr, awesome stuff.

[@TacticalRifleman]

Thanks for watching!

[@jeffreylc]

Didn’t mention peer evals, I mean “spear” evals! Lol.

[@PatrickHuston-o6y]

4/93... when it really sucks and you are ready to quit, tell yourself, "I'll quit tomorrow." Tomorrow will never come.

[@withoutfurtheradoforever]

" Gee, Yogi, what's Ranger school?"

[@a45456565]

Thank you😺

[@TacticalRifleman]

Welcome!

[@randywoolford9418]

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

[@garandjunkie1046]

like the nbloc on the shellf

[@jamesfoster7735]

Great video my man!

[@TacticalRifleman]

Thanks for the visit

[@kingjehukhan8541]

Just dont quit?

[@JamesDavis-jo9tk]

Thank you for saying Fort “Benning” and not Fort Moore.

[@TacticalRifleman]

It will always be Benning to Americans

[@JammyDodger45]

You can't really believe Benning is more deserving of a base being named after him than Hal Moore? You guys are in need of a reality check.

[@RealJeep]

@@JammyDodger45 And coming from a Ukrainian apologist you don't have much room to talk.

[@JammyDodger45]

@@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. 🐈

[@gp-zb6ok]

Norm didn’t die, he just quit comedy and finally started talking about his military experience

[@patrickkelley6212]

Ranger School. A great school!!!😀😀😀

[@michaelreed9805]

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

[@dan96b6]

Karl sounds like Tactical Christopher Walken.

[@ChristopherBeard-ru1wt]

Hey TAC, Darby Queen is right before Darby phase. Not Mountain Phase. CJ Class 3/4-92.

[@TacticalRifleman]

I stand corrected.

[@justinquaid2610]

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.

[@ssad47]

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]

Also they kick a lot of people out within the first year so unless your friend pass ranger and did at least 2 years take it with a grain of salt

[@justinquaid2610]

@@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.

[@Asymmetrical.athlete_]

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

[@TacticalRifleman]

Solid advice

[@andrewmacdonald8076]

Good story. Thanks. Dad took me to see John Wayne in the Green Berets. I think I was aged 10 🥝🇳🇿🥋😎

[@TacticalRifleman]

Very cool!

[@mariagenin4805]

@@TacticalRifleman❤

[@jimmieadams797]

Since chicks do it now, That should be enough to prevent you from quitting.

[@clintstinkeye5607]

Any SEAL has proper respect.

[@matthewsinger4902]

Carl was in CAG? How did I not know this??

[@VikingPreparedness]

He did not say that...

[@pizza7975]

He's referring to CIF. A SMU that has no selection unlike CAG or other SMUs.

[@TacticalRifleman]

I never went Delta. I was in A-1-5, the CIF/CRF company for 5th Special Forces Group

[@matthewsinger4902]

@@TacticalRifleman my mistake. I always thought the SMU was referring to tier 1 units like Delta or DEVGRU.

[@joelpierce3940]

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.

[@paulpalmer5264]

Awesome very cool great

[@TacticalRifleman]

Thanks for the visit

[@jamestallakson8999]

There's no desert phase anymore

[@gavansimkin5685]

My DI. Karl, Is RSM Bill Wolfe?

[@cm-pr2ys]

Why did they take desert phase away? Will it ever/ SHOULD it ever come back? Matter of fact, what was that like?

[@seanmccarthy1135]

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.

[@infitada]

Honestly… just get the tab…

[@chlrsnj326]

Ahh,,, SPOT Reports...🤣🤣🤣 (not a Ranger, but an OCS kid).

[@chlrsnj326]

Actually lived in Dugway for a few years. They still do weird shit out there.

[@Accident_Proof]

Gotta love those OCS spot reports for sneezing in formation

[@wpick]

What's more difficult: Ranger school or SF selection?

[@skintback8211]

"Spot Report" lmao !! Airborne ALL THE WAY !! 17. "Just accept the fact" 07

[@resolute123]

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?

[@TacticalRifleman]

Excellent question. You are only going for the badge

[@UsRanger]

Leadership qualities

[@jimpowell2296]

Pass Buds, ranger school will be a breeze.

[@sg51psd04]

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.

[@rschreck876]

Went to school. Graduated in 99. Women have a tab now. It’s most likely not that hard now.

[@rschreck876]

Seriously though… if you’re a dude, in the infantry and you failed…. there are women who wear a tab now.

[@IGNACY-fp8zo]

Tips for those in non-combat MOSs going?

[@TacticalRifleman]

You can do it!

[@IGNACY-fp8zo]

@TacticalRifleman Are any of the Drills more advanced than something like a squad attack?

[@alfonzioromero8974]

​@@IGNACY-fp8zoim 100% sure they will go over everything you do and set you up for success. I'm thinking of going through it myself. Im an Air Force Raven.

[@triplebbb1484]

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?

[@DucomaVet]

So we're you SF or CAG/Delta?

[@TacticalRifleman]

5th Special Forces CIF/CRF company

[@johnbrady9946]

Karl are you saying as a ranger student. the drill instructors looked at you like you were one step below whale defecation.

[@josephfoster6313]

Easiest way to get through ranger school? Be a chick!

[@RealJeep]

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?

[@MrVodkapowered]

ok, who's skull is that? 😅

[@thedonuteater5474]

Beno in civilian life is making fun of someone because they smell. He man you need to take beno you smell

[@RCAOutdoorsTV]

Play the game

[@nathanhollingsworth413]

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

[@801migs]

RLTW!!

[@mrjones7480]

Embrace the suck

[@garandjunkie1046]

great story.bottom line .embrace the suck lol.........

[@gregorylatta8159]

Embrace the suck!!!

[@camerongunn7906]

It's not prison. You can leave any time, just quit.

[@1982rrose]

Coffee?

[@TacticalRifleman]

MRE coffee

[@11BRelo]

Ranger dip

[@hub82q6t]

You’re info is also 100 years old! Obsolete. You may want to consider removing this video.

[@alfonzioromero8974]

It's not obsolete.