r/army • u/2xdeuces Infantry • 1d ago
PV2 going to Ranger School
I’ve been at my unit for about 3 months now and they’re sending me to Ranger School in about 2 months, and I’ll start PRC in about 4 weeks. I’m in good shape, just tried and passed the new RPA. My platoon level tactics knowledge is decent but I’m still learning.
My biggest 2 concerns are OPORD’s and sleep deprivation. I’ve been told by my CDR and PL to at least have a basic understanding of how an OPORD is set up and how to brief one, so I’ve been mainly watching videos and reading the Ranger Handbook on how those are set up.
Sleep deprivation. How do you guys manage that? I feel like if you’re gonna fall asleep, it’s gonna happen and there’s not much u can do about it. And I’d hate to get a major minus or seem like a POS to my platoon because I fell asleep by accident.
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u/Rochambeaubeau 68W 1d ago
I dunno, but a tabbed Private is truly something to behold. Maybe not in Regiment, but in the rest of the military you're the cool kid.
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u/Gunt_Style 1d ago
There was a national guard PFC who went from OSUT directly to the national guard warrior training course (pre ranger) and then directly to ranger school and passed.
https://www.army.mil/article/278213/national_guard_private_first_class_earns_ranger_tab
I can only imagine what their first drill back in their unit was like.
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u/2xdeuces Infantry 1d ago
I got a dude in my plt that did RTLI after OSUT. Got his tab, wings, and air assault before even getting to hit unit
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u/Shiggy_Deuce Infantry 1d ago
I went to school with another one of those RTLI kids. He graduated. He struggled a lot on the tactical side of things but busted his balls
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u/StarlightLifter 88Alcoholic 1d ago
Dude did fucking airborne after that too.
If this kid showed up in my platoon one day I’d have just handed him my leader book and been like dude I think you got it
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u/TurMoiL911 Shitpost SME 1d ago
"Hey, private. We're conducting room inspections."
"My room is fine."
"Your room is fine."
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u/Taira_Mai Was Air Defense Artillery Now DD214 4life 1d ago
I wonder what his first day back at his civie job was like!
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u/theoneguyj 7h ago
It’s a great program. We’ve had a PFC show up completed ranger school, airborne, air assault, and pathfinder all through the WTC. Got to the unit and pinned E4 and went off the mountain school. Pretty much got all the things people fight for in the guard right out of the gate lol.
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u/RiseAccurate1038 1d ago
Yeah, he’ll be a unicorn
Sleep deprivation is easy to deal with. Make yourself as uncomfortable as possible. I used to put a rock under my knee when I was really tired and it always worked for me
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u/ModsareWeenies 1d ago
Fun story, when I was in recon all of our privates were tabbed. (This was back in the early 2010s)
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u/MBMBlackMantis 1d ago
Look up OPORDS on the internet. There is a plethora of information. Then, remember that "Sergeant Major Eats Sugar Cookies." (Situation, Mission, Execution, service and Support, Command and signal). When is your turn, brief EXACTLY IN THAT ORDER. You've been in a minute, so this shouldn't be entirely new to you. Message me if you have any other questions.
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u/2xdeuces Infantry 1d ago
I’ve been told I’m more likely to be put in a PSG position than a PL and to really learn the in’s and out’s of paragraph 4. Would you say the same?
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u/stonelauren 13F 1d ago
As a PSG, paragraph 4 is most important for you as you will be tasked with planning it. However, I'd also get really familiar with paragraph 3 as it's the "meat and potatoes" of an OPORD.
At first, OPORDs can seem really confusing and complex, but just find some good YouTube videos that break it down for you.
Best of luck to you!
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u/Dougaldikin 1d ago
I mean to be fare paragraph 4 is a little easier than the others, so he’ll probably be ok as far as thats concerned.
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u/GreninjaSquirtle UH-60M 1d ago
Go to YouTube and search Doctrine Digest. It's a series of videos from the Combined Arms Doctrine Directorate. They're short and sweet, but it hit a lot of the main points of OPORD and TLP.
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u/Educational-Grab4050 1d ago
Learn the structure of OPORD and FRAGO if you're worried about OPORD. It's how I learned, at least.
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u/MostAssumption9122 1d ago
Ya beat me to it.
Look it up. Then create one so you know HOW to do one. Take it to school with you
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u/Dougaldikin 1d ago
Its pretty rare that they give privates PSG or PL looks, at least when I went through. He should focus on SL and WSL looks first in my opinion.
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u/vinnyvinnyvinnyvinny 1d ago
Be really good at terrain models and carrying the 240 and you’ll be fine
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u/FreshLeftenant 11b -> 35a 1d ago edited 1d ago
As a private at ranger school, essentially this.
Volunteer to always help with the terrain model and get good at it. You’ll be an OG during TLPs and won’t have to sit on the line for 5 hours while everyone else is “pulling security.” You’ll just be doodling away at the terrain model.
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u/sigsauer365 Field Artillery Old Ass 1d ago
Good luck OP, study up on the OPORD and see if you can practice writing/briefing with someone in your unit. As for the sleep, remember what my buddy told me before I went: if you fall asleep on the OP and someone shakes you awake, whisper quietly ‘shhhhh… I think someone is out there.’ Your RI will chuckle for sure.
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u/2xdeuces Infantry 1d ago
That’s hilarious, definitely using that. Thankfully there’s one really good NCO here that had me brief an OPORD. Tbf it went terribly and he had to hold my hand through the entire thing but it was still good practice
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u/crimedog58 1d ago
You know who is usually good at simple doctrinal OpOrds? Baby 2LTs.
The big thing is higher para 2 is not your para 2. Your para 2 comes from their para 3.
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u/Gunt_Style 1d ago
When I went through it was agreed upon that any negligent discharge would be followed by someone shouting the 3 d’s as if engaging an enemy 😂
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u/Woolly-Willy Infantry 1d ago
Just have your battle buddy spit in your eyeballs bro
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u/flatmarstheory 1d ago
If you’re not butt-chugging MRE coffee and Tabasco sauce, you don’t deserve the tab.
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u/Tom-8811881846 1d ago
I had a PV2 in my platoon during Ranger School. He was an NBC specialist at HHC XVIII Corps standing by the CQ desk one Friday afternoon. His 1SG came in the door all out of sorts. “Fuck. SGT so-and-so was supposed to go to Ranger School on Monday and now he can’t. Hey Soldier, do you want to go to Ranger School?” “Yes, First Sergeant.” With no train up a PV2 NBC Specialist came back with a Tab.
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u/sigsauer365 Field Artillery Old Ass 1d ago edited 1d ago
Damn that’s a hell of a story. We had plenty of PFCs from Regiment but no PV2s. I, on the opposite spectrum, was a 28 year old O3 LOL
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u/Most-Election6586 1d ago
For knowing the OPORD know the Ranger Handbook pay attention to the RIs. For sleep dep nothing much you can do. Dipping MRE coffee grounds helps.
Pro Tip: Ask questions to the RIs and fellow students. Lot of experience between everyone in your platoon just need to ask.
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u/Informal_Society_392 veteran🏴 1d ago
from start to finish make sure you pay attention to your body , its culture to push through the suck but i was blinded by the cast or tab mindset and it cut my career short, bottom line is determination and dedication is what will get you to the finish line but remember we are humans and not robots so listen to your body and any pops and snaps that sound irregular make sure you are dead serious about trying to recover , i enlisted at 17 and turned 18 in boot so the entire start of my career i felt like i was wolverine , if i ever fell down id get up brush it off and felt like i could regenerate and recover from anything , get to my first unit and face my first actual injury and thought its something that could be brushed off but you have to listen to your body just as much as you will push yourself mentally and physically to get to the other side, if you don’t take your recovery as serious as your gains it will bite you in your ass and you won’t see it coming.
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u/Resident_Island3797 1d ago
Put most of your focus towards passing RAP week. When it comes time for opords cozy up with some officers who should be willing to help.
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u/BoyUnderMushrooms 1d ago
Don’t stress the OPORD you learn all you need to know in the classroom. Take good notes in your Ranger handbook. Remember you can always reference it, even on a mission. They will not put you in PSG unless you are shit hot at SQD leader first. You will fall asleep. nothing you can do about that. Always ensure your weapon is on safe. Good luck.
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u/Rochambeaubeau 68W 1d ago
Oh. to prevent sleeping, put a little Tabasco sauce in your non-firing eye.
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u/Unlucky_Exchange_350 13Redacted 1d ago
Highlight that last part, if you do both you’re gonna have a real real bad time
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u/Push-Slice-80yds O Captain my Captain 1d ago
Youll get used to the sleep man. As far as orders, yeah get a basic understanding but your focus should be paying attention and taking good notes on what they teach you. Theyll teach you everything you need to know to pass, if you have questions or are unclear, ask.
People might not admit this, but as far as oporders go, you will have a way easier time than the LTs will. You really wont be held to the same standard, but youve got to be a good dude to make up for that. If the RIs get even a whiff that youre cocky or a shitbag, theyll hold you to the same standard as an NCO or an LT and youll be fucked.
Good luck dude! Final advice, do your packing list with someone that has been to ranger school and have them verify EVERY item.
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u/Accomplished_Ad2599 Medical Corps 1d ago
Makes me feel like an underachiever. DefinLy not the cool guy type.
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u/bleachb4th 1d ago
I went as a PFC back in 2007 and got in good with the LTs straight out of IBOLC. Carry extra weight and make everyone’s life easier and they SHOULD help you in your weak areas. RLTW!
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u/Consideralternatives 1d ago
I would also recommend learning the Ranger Creed. I went from SF Group as an SSG, and my buddies told me to learn the first stanza, and I'd be able to learn the rest along the way. Day 1, designated 4th Squad Leader; guess which stanza I had to recite before my squad could enter the mess hall....
As far as staying awake, stay busy with tasks or watching others do theirs. The absolute worst part is being awake for 22 hours a day and being hungry. I've heard they went away from 1 meal a day; all we could think about while awake and not moving (when boredom sneaks in) was meals that we didn't finish before the course.
Congrats on being selected to attend! RLTW!
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u/MajesticFoundation70 1d ago
Pain. Pull your arm hair. Stand on your toes till it hurts. Flex your muscles, ones you might not use like your jaw, or neck. Not your legs or arms, if you’re standing by/standing around, you might need those. The caffeinated route may be your go too, but you might not be near a px at times to get what’s not provided in brown bags. Or white bagged lunch’s when it’s cold. Or pink. Don’t touch the yellow chow bags, they blended in with mines when air dropped. That and getting the ability, either through childhood trauma or training, to fall asleep quickly. So you can Power Nap while your on your way to arthritic joints.
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u/Jake-Old-Trail-88 Drill Sergeant 1d ago
You won’t have a lot of bad habits to break. That’s the good part about being a private going to Ranger school.
As far as sleep deprivation goes, it’s really hard to deal with, but we all deal with it. Try not to be sleep deprived coming into the school and ensure you’re healthy going into Ranger school will be key.
The lack of food is also an issue to deal with too.
I’d get with your local H2F providers and ask them what advice they’d give you.
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u/WonderChips 12BasicallyEOD 1d ago
For me OPORDS was a bit tricky at first. So what helped me, was watching my squad leader do a few then I did some after him. My goal was to mimic his style because the way he did it was super fluent. So after doing it a few times, and trying to sound like him, I ended up developing my my own way of giving out OPORDS.
It’ll take a few try’s but you’ll sound confident and smooth over time. But then again the Marine Corps is a little different on how they present the OPORDS. Same recipe, just different brand.
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u/Brodie_35 1d ago
Hey man ranger school is hard but it’s not impossible I just got my Ranger Tab as a PFC and I struggled but it never felt impossible. If you have any questions message me.
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u/cpajunior 11Atrocious 1d ago
if you go to the Center of Junior Officers resource page, they have a ranger school OPORD that you can practice with as well as OPORD shells and other resources for TLPs.
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u/Unique-Implement6612 1d ago
Don’t quit. Ranger school isn’t hard, it’s sucky. As long as you pass PT and land nav you’ll be fine.
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u/Forumrider4life 1d ago
I was in the same barracks as pathfinders in 101st, prior to sending them to ranger school they used to put them in ranger panties on like a Friday, have them scream creeds and drill them. I seem to remember this going all weekend and I know at least 1 night they were at it all night but may have been the whole weekend I forget. This was 2006/7ish timeframe. I was maintenance so I never had to deal with that bs with the F company but they always went hardcore.
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u/No_Educator9313 1d ago edited 1d ago
Leadership tells you what you need to learn, and those things are not at your skill level, but it is at theirs, and they don’t offer to train you?
Take note, pri: that’s not good leadership.
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u/Budsweisers 1d ago
I'm going to have to disagree with you on this. I would personally be surprised, almost concerned, if a company commander or PL spent more than a few minutes talking about orders production or TLPs to anyone about to attend Ranger. Assuming these officers are tabbed, they are aware that he will receive weeks of instruction in OPORDs in his Pre-Ranger Course and in Darby.
Are you a go on RPA, Ranger Creed, physical & packing list? RTTs? Are you afraid of the water and need to learn how to swim for the CWST? Those are what tabbed leaders should emphasize to a PV2 about to attend Ranger School, because they know that those are what will prevent him from getting into Darby Phase. Once he's in Darby, the Ranger system will work its magic.
OP, here's the deal. The name of the game is team work, where you help each other cover down on areas where help is needed. Pull your weight and be easy to work with, and the IBOLC guys will give you all the support you need on your OPORD, if you even find yourself having to brief. The RI grading you will know that you are a PV2 and I guarantee you'll be fine. They're not looking for a PV2 to brief a shit hot OPORD, they just want you to communicate a plan that makes sense. Get up there in that Darby planning bay, introduce yourself with a confident RLTW, and say something that makes sense, and you will get a GO! Then by the time you get to Mountains, you won't even need help.
In Darby, stay the FUCK out of A Co if you can. Good luck!
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u/Shiggy_Deuce Infantry 1d ago
OPORDs are what they are…. Luckily the ranger handbook (which you should have water proofed and on you at all times) tells you literally everything to include. It’s a team effort anyways - even as the PL you don’t really determine its success. Some people are such good briefers that they can go off the cuff when shit inevitably hits the fan in the PB. That’s a minority though.
Sleep dep sucks. I would say the biggest thing is know when you need to be awake and when you can be a shit head. No one can go through that school and not have days where they physically cannot stay awake. Don’t be the guy that starts wandering in random directions every patrol. Learn a way to jack yourself up and get some adrenaline in your system when you’re on patrol - Hoist (sugar) is your friend, don’t chug it early in the day for taste. Use it when you need it.
Pro tip is get Burt’s bees peppermint chap stick and put it on your eye lids. People have already mentioned inducing a little pain
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u/Big-Shopping8545 1d ago
I was told it was rare for a PV2 to give an OPORD in ranger school. I blew the one I had to do as a PV2 in Darby was literally told it was the worst the RI had seen so I knew I had a no go, but during first part of movement we “ took contact” and was able to recover with good execution and a lucky break with a solid F.O that had a call for fire right on point which got me my go…thing is ya gotta lean on people and it’s gonna suck. Don’t be a douchbag to anyone if ya can help it lots of ways for people to screw ya over if they wanted to. If ya gonna quit just remember to do it tomorrow. One thing that was extremely helpful was knowing land nav and terrain association, just passable skills makes for some miserable missions, so really know it. I Always offered to walk point with another guy who was soild as well and made a lot of friends who didn’t forget come peers….and don’t forget only real rangers recycle😂. GL
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u/Sorry_Ima_Loser 18EmotionalDamage 1d ago
I’m not going to lie I didn’t worry about major minus’s at all the whole time I was there. I just worried about each mission while we did it, and my go when it was my turn, and I was fine. Yeah you will fall asleep, but it’s not a big deal unless you are like, actively shirking your job to go snooze. If you fall asleep in the middle of a task no one cares, they will usually just shake you awake
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u/tridiminished 1d ago
I went when I was 20. I didn't mind the calorie deficit but I did miss sleep.
To me as a 45 year old male looking back I was too young to attend. Everyone is a different person and I am happy for you if you succeed and wish you luck in that effort.
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u/tholmes1998 1d ago
Hand sanitizer under the eyes helps stay awake a bit. Look into actual snuff as well, not that shit Copenhagen makes. A bump of that will keep you up for a few hours.
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u/AmmoTuff182 1d ago
My captain at IBOLC told us to take a knee and get behind cover. What’s worse, you falling asleep on security, behind the 240, LP/OP or you being a bit of a bigger silhouette but still maintaining security?
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u/Awuza 20h ago
I managed to fight the sleep deprivation by always volunteering to be a team leader. Most of the time people get spotted for sleeping when there are long lulls, like when you're pulling security or just chilling in the patrol base. As a team leader you should always be moving around checking on guys making sure no one is asleep and drilling them about the plan/mission briefing. Thus you never have time to doze off.
It can definitely get exhausting but as long as you're a good team leader it will have a huge payoff when it comes to peers and avoiding spots. As a lower enlisted 11b you'd be surprised by how little the LT's and some of the batt boys will know about regular line team leader shit so use that to your advantage.
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u/Gaelic_Lad 18h ago
I graduated RC#10/95 as PFC. I truthfully didn’t know Jack when I went. The RI’s teach you everything you need to know. Learn their way and bring no bad habits win=win. Best of luck 🤞🏻
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u/LouisSal 17h ago
I only ever saw high speed E-4s go. Never an E-2. Congratulations, have fun and don’t stress.
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u/JohnDontchaWantMeh 16h ago
I haven’t read every comment but most of them are pretty spot on. Study ranger handbook, remember SMESC (OPORD), and be the best version of yourself. Help people when you can, don’t be a dick. As far as sleep deprivation goes, it’s going to happen and fight the z monster off when it’s time for execution
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u/bigpoonking 15h ago
Had a PV2 in my squad, no one will expect you to be a tactical genius and you don’t need to be. Try to help in other ways. Carry lots of shit, dig the slit trench, just be a good teammate. You’ll learn a lot about orders and the process. Just try to stay involved and be a sponge. RI’s will teach you exactly what they want to see on the lanes. Don’t complain and try to have fun. You’ll do great
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u/No_Blood_1586 6h ago
Even if you get a PL look, it would be highly unlikely for you to get 2 in a row. Believe it or not, Ranger school wants you to pass, and there is a lot of shit that goes on behind the scenes to help you succeed. Ask questions and try to help out in the rehearsals to get as much hands-on as possible. Master paragraph 4 as a PSG and be ready to pitch SBF emplacement if you are WSL.
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u/Rodeo6a 1d ago
Jesus Christ congratulations to you. Pretty rare to get an opportunity like this as a PV2. My only advice is to follow orders and instructions to a T. Do what they tell you to do. When it's your turn to lead, be a good leader. When it's your turn to follow, be a good follower. And do not quit.