US

Have the Army Rangers Lowered Their Standards?

Discovery Channel Airs Hell and Back, Special Ops Ranger and Some Question Ranger Programs Standards

(Photo: U.S. Army/Discovery Channel)

Over the weekend, the Discovery Channel aired “Hell and Back, Special Ops Ranger” — an episode shedding light on what it takes to make it through the notoriously difficult 75th Ranger Regiment’s Assessment and Selection Program (RASP).

According to the Army’s press release on the episode issued last week, Rangers’ operations include special reconnaissance, direct action raids, offensive infantry operations, forcible entry operations, and partnering with host nation forces. Those going through RASP are tested physically and mentally on everything from marksmanship and demolitions to Ranger First Responder and close-quarter combat drills. The press release also boasts that in a class of 114 soldiers, only 91 Rangers graduated.

With these hosts of challenges, it would be expected there wouldn’t be a perfect graduation rate. As Jack Murphy, an eight year Army Special Operations veteran, points out on SOFREP (Special Operations Forces Report) this is a “shockingly high graduation rate.” He states RASP historically has a 30 percent graduation rate. So have the standards been lowered, he questions?

Here’s more from Murphy:

When questioned about this disturbing trend the Ranger Regiment’s Public Affairs Officer wrote, “The standards are the same. This happened to be a class full of studs and Soldiers determined not to fail on camera.” This statement however does not pass the most cursory amount of scrutiny. An entire class of rare physical specimens is a laughable impossibility to anyone who has spent any amount of time in these selection programs. Perhaps some students were hesitant to quit in front of the camera but the presence of a camera does not magically grant RASP students with the ability to knock out an additional fifty pushups on the PT test or allow them to ruckmarch 12 miles any faster than usual.

There is also a robust Pre-RASP program that we did not have back when we went to RIP. This is a great addition to help prepare soldiers for selection but even the best preparatory program would increase the graduation rates by perhaps 5% or 10% on the very high end. Pre-RASP does not explain an alarming 80% graduation rate.

Still, Murphy points to some in class 5-12 — those documented by the Discovery Channel — failing certain tests and still graduating. Murphy speculates, “political correctness” for the Discovery Channel may be to blame or organizational changes within command as a whole that may want increased numbers.

“It is sad to see that the Army still plays the numbers game,” wrote Murphy. “Someone, somewhere, wants their quotas and thinks that opening the flood gates and putting a bunch of warm bodies in formation solves their problem by making the unit look like it is at full strength on paper. The reality is that they have made it weaker than ever before.”

Read more of Murhpy’s post on SOFREP here.

Comments (103)

1 2
  • LiveforFreedom
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 11:43am

    The Down Range need for Special Operators is at an all time HIGH!!! The Training has been Modified for the need!! Everyone from Rangers to Seals has seen their Down Range need increase, we are everywhere now look what is going on in Africa!!!

    Report Post »  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 2:18pm

      After talks with a retired former Ranger I often wonder if the changes are due to the change to the new rainbow colored Ranger tab.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 2:32pm

      Unfortunately, we were starting to see the same mess take shape under the Clinton Administration.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • Wojciech W.
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 2:58pm

      What civilians should know, and what Murphy must not know(yes its possible for someone not knowing what another unit does or how it trains) is that more and more soldiers want to leave their basic units and join the Rangers. Rangers are not an ELITE force. Soldiers train VERY hard even before they request for Ranger school. 6 months minimum of training before they ask their First Sgt. or their Capt. They have to take a preliminary test in their own Company to even be allowed to go and take the Battalion test(the EMBARRASSMENT of failing the school is SEVERE). Troops are taught to give everything to pass the school. Slots are assigned to the top 5 or even 10 from the Battalion! It is not unusual after such rigorous training that the drop out rate has fallen. To even suggest that our soldiers have not anticipated hardships and compensated training regiments to match is an insult. Everyone knows what the Ranger school training consist of. They plan accordingly. Like my soldiers know, “Perfect practice makes Perfect”.

      Report Post » Wojciech W.  
    • Wojciech W.
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 3:08pm

      This Murphy guy need to get knocked the F’ out like Gov Ventura for insulting to Determination and MOTIVATION of our troops. Like I stated before that Units are cracking down on Sub-Par Soldiers from even being allowed to go to the school. I would love to see that arm chair quarterback to take on one of those soldiers in hand to hand. I’ll bet those Soldiers would kick his paper pushing A$$ back to his office where that pouge belongs!

      Report Post » Wojciech W.  
    • JackMurphyRGR
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 3:42pm

      Lots of tough talk Mr. Wojciech. I’ll take you up on that offer of yours any time. In the meantime, you might want to pull your head out of your ass because you seem to misunderstand the subject matter of the article I wrote. This has absolutely nothing to do with Ranger School. This article is about the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program which enlisted Soldiers must graduate from in order to serve in the 75th Ranger Regiment. Do you know the difference between the Ranger Regiment and Ranger School? You might want to get your ducks in a row before you start talking about knocking people out.

      Report Post »  
    • JRook
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 3:53pm

      Bottom line is the US is in serious need of military personnel. Active duty and reserves have been deployed at a rate that is higher than any time other than WWII. There should be an active draft. But the military and military industrial complex doesn’t want it because Americans might wake up to what a complete waste of lives and money these two made up wars are.

      Report Post »  
    • Fubared
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 4:02pm

      JrRookie
      No, not so much. We are better as an all volunteer force to keep the libs at home smoking pot and OWSing. There goes your stupidity again but you did manage to work in the military industrial malarkey. Stay home wanker. How can you waste time here when your dear leader needs you funds- even your internet funds and pot funds. Give it up comrade and go work for dear leader.

      Report Post »  
    • VoteBushIn12
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 4:36pm

      @JROOK

      Agreed.

      I am surprised Conservatives are so blindly against National Healthcare and other social benefit programs because it’s a “waste of money”, but are all for blowing hundreds of trillions of dollars on a Military that is just wandering around the globe looking for places to be useful. Cut military spending in HALF and you still have the strongest military in the world with a fraction of the financial upkeep.

      Report Post » VoteBushIn12  
    • Mil Mom
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 8:22pm

      @JRook
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 3:53pm

      Bottom line is the US is in serious need of military personnel. Active duty and reserves have been deployed at a rate that is higher than any time other than WWII. There should be an active draft. But the military and military industrial complex doesn’t want it because Americans might wake up to what a complete waste of lives and money these two made up wars are
      ***
      Bottom line is: it‘s not the 2 wars that’s depleting our troops, it‘s the ROE’s (Rules of Engagement)
      when they’re giving a medal for “excessive restraint” for ignoring threats, and charged and Court Martial- ed for everything that a generation ago was just good training and protecting yourself and your troops, we are losing the good troops, add to that the harassment of any Chaplain or Christian officer who might want to pray before battle, and our troops are not going to be at the level we need. A generation ago, the purpose of a military action was primarily to win a war. Ask ten soldiers not in Afghanistan what our mission there is and you‘ll probably get at least 4 different answers because it’s changed so often that only those actually assigned there could keep up.

      Report Post » Mil Mom  
    • Mil Mom
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 8:25pm

      @Fubared
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 4:02pm

      JrRookie
      No, not so much. We are better as an all volunteer force to keep the libs at home smoking pot and OWSing. There goes your stupidity again but you did manage to work in the military industrial malarkey. Stay home wanker. How can you waste time here when your dear leader needs you funds- even your internet funds and pot funds. Give it up comrade and go work for dear leader.
      ***
      Major “Like” here!

      Report Post » Mil Mom  
    • Mil Mom
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 8:27pm

      @VoteBushIn12
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 4:36pm

      @JROOK

      Agreed.

      I am surprised Conservatives are so blindly against National Healthcare and other social benefit programs because it’s a “waste of money”, but are all for blowing hundreds of trillions of dollars on a Military that is just wandering around the globe looking for places to be useful. Cut military spending in HALF and you still have the strongest military in the world with a fraction of the financial upkeep
      ***
      Don’t worry, I‘m sure holder’s not prosecuting for the stuff your smoking!

      Report Post » Mil Mom  
    • 1947
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 11:17pm

      If the RANGERS had to LOWER the standards it can only be because OBAMA required it for EMPLOYMENT

      Report Post »  
    • MattRoyal
      Posted on July 11, 2012 at 1:32am

      I have two family members in “Special Forces”. The Rangers are considered “Special Forces” as they are a member of JSOC. My son recently went through RASP and after passing every test, was released on the last day with an invitation to try again – he will. I have several freinds that are either in or recently retired from the Rangers and all have told me the same thing – RASP is only the first step with an overall failure rate of roughly 75%. There seem to be a lot of “experts” here – the writer included – that fail to recognize that – however unlikely – it IS possible to have a group of young men that are truly exceptional and capable of passing RASP. Relax, the Rangers have not lowered their standards. IF anyone has, it would be The Blaze for prompting this type of discussion.

      Report Post »  
    • JackMurphyRGR
      Posted on July 11, 2012 at 2:54pm

      Incorrect. Rangers are not “Special Forces”, only Special Forces are Special Forces. An entire class of exceptional students? I guess there is a first time for everything…but what about the other recent classes with abnormally high graduation rates? I guess all young Americans suddenly became exceptional.

      Report Post »  
  • chingachgook
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 11:40am

    The drop out rate depends on what you start with. In many cases the applicant does not even get into the class. They are knocked out in a pre-class physical test. To get a higher graduation rate you only have to bee more discriminating in your selection process. That and let the applicants know what they face. There is a lot to this and in fact many are knocked out by minor injuries during the training. Besides all this you can train as much as you want but the real proof is when the bullets fly. In the end it is obviously best to be in great shape but with some good leadership and courage you would be surprised at what you can do. Having attended some of this type training we all have seen men who were cut who would have done well but for some reason did not mesh at the right time.

    Report Post »  
  • John 3:16
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 11:33am

    Those of us calling ourselves Patriots must discipline ourselves to be the best we can be, mentally, spiritually, physically. We must train ourselves, lose weight, while preparing to protect the Constitution and this great country. We in the end must be the force of goodness and strength. Fear the American patriot if you are our enemy. We must be the real American government.

    Report Post » John 3:16  
  • jungle J
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 11:33am

    Walk down the street…male Americans standards have been lowewring since title 9.

    Report Post »  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 11:25am

    Look at who their commander in chief is……. That tells you all you need to know.

    Report Post »  
    • mountainmover101
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 2:43pm

      I tend to agree. This Commander in Chief is perceived as a weak indecisive effeminate leader. This would inevitably filter down into the ranks of the civilian apparatus of the Armed forces. That subsequently would be translated in some fashion to the military side.

      I have always had a problem with civilian political appointees running the military. I know the founding fathers thought it best that a military should be subject to civilian control. However, they would have never thought this country would have at the helm a man that actively despises this country and wants its destruction. Thus, appointing a Secretary of Defense that hates the military and actively participates in counter measures that weaken and endanger military personnel.

      Report Post »  
  • wcsmithiii
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 11:23am

    I see a lot of comments that appear to come from people who know nothing about which they speak. If you haven’t been there sit down and shut up. I earned my Jump Master wings at Bragg in ‘73, I have earned my right to speak. Yes the standards have been lowered. Yes they need to be put back in their proper place. You can change these things by going to the polls and voting. Take these wimps out of office and replace them with men of honor and fortitude who will return our warriors to their proper statue.

    Report Post »  
    • ReddenBlack
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 11:43am

      Lowered? No, I’m pretty sure soldiers are as just as dumb as they have ever been. What else would you expect from govt. employees?

      Report Post » ReddenBlack  
    • wraith67
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 12:05pm

      Bah, this happens under any administration. When HUMINT went from 500 to 3000 between 2005 and current, the standards were dropped to nill and filled 40 or so Brigades with mostly garbage. But you can blame the officers for that, starting 2001 the push as far as the MI school houses was for minimal to no attrition based on the premise that “there are no bad students, only bad instructors”. It takes officers with a backbone to fight political correctness – but more importantly, they’ve got to have the common sense to look long range and figure out what the impact is of fielding substandard soldiers just to make arbitrary quotas.

      But hey, this is just prep for passing all those females into the ranger ranks!

      Report Post » wraith67  
    • Happy Killmore
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 1:27pm

      Awwwww… Poor Reddenblack is a coward. The only reason the left attacks veterans is because they were too cowardly to become one. It’s the only way to distract from their own cowardice. Now, go back home to Mommy and cry all about it. The world hates a coward.

      Report Post » Happy Killmore  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 2:30pm

      Check out more by REDDENBLACK a la Cyndy Sheehan at
      http://twtrland.com/profile/ReddenBlack
      This turd illustrates his stupidity at every turn.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • mountainmover101
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 2:50pm

      @ reddenblack

      FYI Obama is a gubmint employee…..

      Report Post »  
    • ReddenBlack
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 4:18pm

      @RJJINGADSDEN

      Thanx dude!

      Report Post » ReddenBlack  
  • TomArmstrong
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 11:19am

    “Have The Blaze lowered their syntax standards?” Take a look at verb tense in headline…

    Report Post »  
  • momprayn
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 11:07am

    DE MINIMUS – right on. This plan has been going on for a very, very long time and now becoming implemented more and noticeable b/c they are making their big push before “activiation” – they know they only have this small window of opportunity while they have the Communist regime at the WH and running the country now. Probably have plans on suspending elections (via crisis, martial law). Don’t iintend on giving up their power and opportunity now. No doubt that’s what the drones are about, control over communications, etc.
    Also heads up about the Small Arms Treaty they are discussing now and will vote on later this month – another back door deceptive plan to lead to our arms confiscation – check out on http://www.dickmorris.com and Rand Paul’s site & do what you can!
    Also – another “not reported” outrageous, dangerous happening is proof of terrorists corssing over at our southern borders…..

    http://www.westernjournalism.com/proof-that-terrorists-are-entering-u-s-from-mexican-border/

    Report Post »  
  • vidyohs
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 11:04am

    The lowered standards are nothing new. That began when the first wave of the Baby Boomers were enlisted back in 1964. The change began immediately, and by 1965 I, as a young Petty Officer, was being told by senior Petty Officers (E-7 and up) that “we had to take it easy on the new guys because they were lonely on Guam and missed their mommies.” The Baby Boomers are like rot, they have infected all facets of public life and the rot has spread to even the most important spots in the military where rot should never be tolerated. Being a Baby Boomer was not about age per se, it was about being of the age where so many were coddled, never told no, and received everything materially that mommy and daddy could buy them. Their mommies and daddies were not the least bit ashamed to put political pressure on congress critters to make the military take it easy on their babies.
    The Baby Boomer army guys (fresh from Vietnam) I worked with in 1964/65 were useless as **** on a board hog. They would sabotage their own electronics in order to keep from working. Lowering of standards is not improvement, it is degeneration.

    Report Post »  
    • Dismayed Veteran
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 11:38am

      Vidyohs

      If I understand you correctly, you were an E-4 or E-5 working on Guam in some unit that dealt with electronics. Tough duty. Did you ever make it to the Nam? If so, did you work in an air conditioned office and sleep in an air conditioned hooch?

      Unless you were a SEAL, Riverine or a Corpsman, you have no concept of what it meant to be in Vietnam. Before you slam baby boomers, like me, put your military credentials up there.

      I have a high school classmate who enlisted in the Navy. He drove a forklift in Vietnam. He can tell some great war stories.

      No matter how you view baby boomers in the military, thank you for your service.

      Report Post » Dismayed Veteran  
    • vidyohs
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 12:05pm

      Dismayed Vet

      Did you deliberately blow by the sentence where I said being a Baby Boomer was not about the age per se, but about the attitude? Did you not understand that sentence was telling you that I did not consider all people of an age as useless tu.ds, but that a large portion of them were/are.

      This is another reason our nation is in trouble, along with the Baby Boomers we got reduced standard educations, and now so few can actually read and comprehend the written word.

      Before you start to beat your chest again, be aware that I know that it was common knowledge in the military that in any given fire fight only 20-25% of the soldiers actually fired their weapons, the rest hunckered down and did not expose themselves. Yes, vets can tell great stories, even the ones who were on the frontlines; but, I got the best stories with the most accuracy from my many Navy Corpman friends in Japan who did 2 or more tours in country in the field with the Marines. As you implied, I am not impressed by people who claim to be a vet of anything unless I know personally what they did. Nor am I impressed with diplomas, elected offices, awards, team trophies, titles, or most of the general run of life to tell you the truth.

      Report Post »  
    • FSM_47
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 1:54pm

      In 1967-1968 in Viet Nam we had 19 and 20 year olds doing senior NCO jobs while lifers sat it out in the rear. The guys you complain about were probably draftees waiting for a discharge from LBJ’s fiasco. I never saw any sailor electronic techs in the boonies with me pal.

      Report Post » FSM_47  
    • vidyohs
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 4:03pm

      FSM-47, like I said to Dismayed Vet, I might be able to respect what you say if I had the slightest indication that you could read and comprehend what I wrote. As I have no evidence that you’re bright enough to do that, perhaps being a frontline grunt was the pinnacle of your worth to the military.

      Because of my ability to read and comprehend the military asked me to go into a specialty that had clearances way beyond what they would allow to be “in country”, so I observed and served from a distance, a fact I never regretted considering the stupidity of military command. I was not an electronic tech but I did work with electronics, see the difference?

      Go back and read my original comment (misread and misunderstood by both of you who replied) which was quite clear that the Baby Boomers I despise and consider rot are the ones who were coddled, spoiled, and protected in all things by parents too gutless to discipline them in any way shape and form. If that shoe doesn’t fit you, then why defend the rotten jerks who have caused such degeneration in our country. Most of those rotten jerks became socialist by inclination and nature because that is a belief that allows them to escape responsibility just as their parents allowed them to do.

      Report Post »  
  • nzkiwi
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 11:04am

    Every single one of them, pass or fail, is better than me.

    Report Post »  
  • VRW Conspirator
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 11:01am

    As a father of a US Army Sgt doing his second oversees tour….Iraq and now Afghanistan…who is a Heavy Equipment Mechanic….and who tells us of how good some of the guys protecting his butt are when they go out on mission and he has to jump out of the Wrecker to hook up a disabled vehicle, during combat…having watched “Black Hawk Down” and read about it, “the Unit”, the Military Channel shows on Marine Recon training and SEAL BUDS, I can not believe the Army has dropped standards just for the Discovery Channel show…having talked with the ex-SEALs that run the “Extreme Seal Experience” training programs…this is a disgrace if it is true…

    my youngest boy wants to be a SEAL….his younger sister wants to be a SeaHawk Pilot to rescue her brothers….we are doing all we can to keep and guide his training…sports, martial arts, swimming, Boy Scouts and then ROTC, hopefully Naval Academy…at 16 (7 years) he and I will spend at least 1 if not 2 weeks a year with the instructors from the “Extreme Seal Experience” doing their 1 week version of BUDS and Sniper school and Dive school…being ex Seal instructors…these guys can write letters of recommendation that the current BUDS selection team honor…i understand the importance of training having done my research for my boy…demeaning that training for a TV show just tells you how bad the leadership is, even in the military….

    God Bless those in uniform

    Report Post » VRW Conspirator  
    • LameLiberals
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 12:10pm

      Another moron who worships soldiers. Grow up.

      I served 26 years and saw every type of cheating possible – especially when it came to money. Different spanks for different ranks most definitely applies also. Active duty get VERY WELL PAID including free health care for what they VOLUNTEER to do. There is racism in the service too and it is black officers being racist to the whites under them. Social actions is a joke.

      Stop genuflecting. God is the only one who deserves your thanks.

      Report Post »  
  • barber2
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 10:59am

    Hmmm. Lowering their standards ? Just following in the steps of the Democrat Party….

    Report Post »  
  • bandi9
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 10:57am

    must be a recent change. my son went- and made it through- Ranger school in the 3rd Battalion. he said they started out with 150, ended up with 38.

    Report Post »  
  • wilsonj72
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 10:57am

    Buubbytraps is an idiot who has never attended Ranger School. The School standards are lower not for the enlisted sake but weak officers that cannot make the standards. It has become ticket punch for future company commanders. Murphy is right it is a numbers game.

    Report Post » wilsonj72  
  • Baja
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 10:56am

    Of course standards have dropped. The liberals have stacked senior military leadership with eunuchs rather then warriors.
    BTW, can anyone explain how those who taken the oath of office, reconcile the part about supporting and defending the constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic with current events?

    Report Post » Baja  
    • Mil Mom
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 9:12pm

      @Baja
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 10:56am

      Of course standards have dropped. The liberals have stacked senior military leadership with eunuchs rather then warriors.
      BTW, can anyone explain how those who taken the oath of office, reconcile the part about supporting and defending the constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic with current events
      ***
      Sure, Public Education, they can say it but have NO CLUE WHAT IT MEANS?

      Report Post » Mil Mom  
  • banjarmon
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 10:53am

    DON”T dumb down the ARMY RANGERS, NAVY SEALS or ANY of the SPECIAL OPTS FORCES!!!!! If any thing make the Standards HIGHER, BETTER, TOUGHER, AND STRONGER!!!!.

    Report Post » banjarmon  
  • ODB1111
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 10:53am

    As a side note when I went to “Jumpmaster” school in 84 the class in front of the one I completed had a very small graduation party, of one from a class of 35. I hate to think they’ve dropped the standards there. “The sky, even more than the sea is unforgiving of the slightest mistake” their motto.

    Report Post »  
  • nolefan2
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 10:52am

    Everything in this country is being lowered. Education, the military, voting requirements, requirements to become a citizen, etc. We are witnessing the 2nd fall of the roman empire.

    Report Post »  
  • ODB1111
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 10:50am

    When I went to “jump” school in 79 we had a starting formation of over 400. The “Black Hats” proceeded to teach us “break are procedures”. Over the next 2 hours of grueling physical exercises they would repeat; “All you have to do is stand up and go to the ”White House” and it’s over. When they were done there were about 200 left. It used to be you met the standards, now they have to reach the command determined “metrics” which are the projected graduation rates, or else. Just like what they have done to our school system………

    Report Post »  
    • dawghowse
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 12:32pm

      Oh how I remember the Into to the break area. In our class we lost about 20 on that first afternoon. If I remember right it was just prior to the LDA.

      Report Post » dawghowse  
  • De minimus
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 10:49am

    Of course they intend to destroy the force and capabilities. Need to have “their people” available for future use and the ones who aren’t “their people” need to leave. Simple Marxist principles in action: If you are going to rule a country against the will and desires of it’s people, you must have positive control of the military and police, otherwise how can a political dictatorship function. Sooner or later they’ll need to use force and they know it. The media know it too but what’s a Marxists to do? Gotta break some eggs to make an omelet!

    Report Post » De minimus  
  • acemobile
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 10:35am

    That really upsets me. I was in Ranger school in 1996. However, I was unable to complete the course because I dislocated my shoulder. I remember the physician’s assistant at the site where I got hurt examining me and said I can not continue with the course and I will be a “medical drop.” Right then I popped my shoulder back into place and told him I can do it. He still told me no and had the medics put me into the ambulance. I was in tears because I was so upset.

    Report Post »  
    • wewantchillywilly
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 10:49am

      sorry to hear that. i’ve read books about these trainings and the medical drops. it’s heartbreaking just to read. but atleast you can say you didn’t quit.

      Report Post »  
  • buubbytraps
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 10:32am

    standards dropped …just like the police, firefighters, etc.

    in part due to affirm. action.

    Report Post » buubbytraps  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 10:50am

      In a country that gives out participation trophies, I think it’s safe to assume standars have dropped everywhere.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • drattastic
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 11:04am

      Now Now lets not keep score ,someones feelings might get hurt.

      Report Post » drattastic  
    • RLTW
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 11:25am

      RASP is not the same as Ranger school, but back when I went through it was called RIP (Ranger Indoctrination Program) and the pass rate was about 30%, I would also add even years later I’d rather go through Ranger school again than my RIP class.

      RLTW

      Report Post »  
    • Altair
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 11:29am

      A recent article referenced the US Naval Academy’s insistence that, since the Navy is 46 % black, all future Naval Academy graduates must reflect that demographic proportion. Don’t believe it ?

      http://blog.usni.org/2009/07/02/separate-water-fountains/

      I’d be saddened if Army Rangers are subject to Affirmative Action, but not at all surprised. There are a few Alan Wests in officer ranks in the US military, but not many, from my experience (discharged captain USMC 1973). Most are promoted as quickly as legally possible, with very lenient remarks on their fitness reports, due to white commanders/evaluators desperately avoiding any whimpers about “prejudice,” a career-killer in the service, with basis or not. White commanders bend over backward to acommodate any black in their command.

      Report Post »  
    • MAMMY_NUNN
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 11:44am

      When Reagan did welfare reform there was a influx of blacks into the military just looking for a free check did not want to follow orders or do the work and scream discrimination and got promoted to shut them up they are now the leaders and have no pride or patriotism to serve.

      Report Post »  
    • RLTW
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 12:02pm

      MAMMY_NUNN

      I can tell you in my day 80’s 90’s & 00 we had very few black in the Ranger BATs, not trying to sound racial it was just not an area of the military black American gravitated to.

      Report Post »  
    • MAMMY_NUNN
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 1:18pm

      @ RLTW
      That is the point it would have taken dedication to service and some physical exertion.

      Report Post »  
    • Fubared
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 4:04pm

      And swimming and jumping and humping all over didn’t jibe with most inner city blacks.

      Report Post »  
  • jman-6
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 10:32am

    Nothing is sacred to LIBS anymore!

    Report Post »  
  • Constructionist
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 10:32am

    New Ranger Creed:

    “Never leave a man’s behind.”

    Report Post » Constructionist  
    • buubbytraps
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 10:34am

      now thats dam funny, dont care who ya are…

      Report Post » buubbytraps  
    • Fubared
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 11:07am

      Remf’s and legs now running what they know nothing about. Usually a precursor to another Mogadishu scenario. Sua sponte to those that know better.

      Report Post »  
  • USACommoner
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 10:26am

    Standards dropped like a stone as soon as DADT was removed.

    Report Post » USACommoner  
    • mountainmover101
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 2:46pm

      I don‘t think someone’s sexual orietation has any bearing on physical strength or ability. That being said, I have a friend in the army and he said that the repeal of DADT was going to get a lot of people injured or possibly killed.

      Report Post »  
    • USACommoner
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 2:51pm

      Mountain: Exactly, which makes one wonder why it was so important. If you want to serve, then by all means, serve. The rest of that stuff is supposed to be a private issue anyway. The military has rules about PDA, straight or not.

      Report Post » USACommoner  
    • mountainmover101
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 5:12pm

      @USACOMMONER

      He said the same thing. What he said was that everyone pretty much already knew who was and wasn‘t gay and the ones that you didn’t suspect would not be the ones “coming out.” I think most people kind of know just from someone’s behavior and/or lifestyle. Anderson Cooper is a prime example. Apparently, from what he said, the only person that didn’t know he was gay was him.

      Report Post »  
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