Deciding on Schools

KJ6986 · 02-13-2009, 21:43

Hello All,

Im a college student in the SMP program and have been offered schools through both my Guard unit and ROTC. None of these options are "a sure thing" yet I need to know which one to push for.

1. Ranger (My Guard unit tells me they can get me the slot yet, they have promised me things before and sometimes they don't pan out.)

2. Sapper (My school has one slot and I'm confident a can aquire it.)

3. Accelerated arabic training (If I select this training I will need to miss some of my school semester, and be forced to take only 12 college hours as flex courses. I have been studying Arabic for two years and can read, write and speak okay, and think an immersian course will help me become fluent so I can start working on learning Farsi.)

I guess my main question is what's more important walking into my first unit with a a tab and some experience or being fluent instead of "just pretty good at speaking Arabic".

Last comment I need make before anyone spends time helping me with my decision. I cracked a rib and tore an abdominal muscle yesterday so I will not be able to train physically for at leat 6-8 weeks which will give me about 2-3 months to prepare. I believe I'm mentally prepared and know I would never vw and currently Im in peak shape minus rib and I believe I can bounce back quickly.

Thank You All for the assistance.

OIFDan · 02-13-2009, 21:55

.

KJ6986 · 02-13-2009, 22:14

I had read this post and I understand it clearly says that Ranger or Sapper would be great schools but my main question is what is more important a tab (and the incredible training that comes along with aquiring it) or being FLUENT in Arabic.

**The Reaper** · 02-13-2009, 23:06

I find your question less than worthy.

I would worry more about being good at my job than what piece of cloth I had sewn on my uniform.

Dan is right, this is very close to other posts here.

Have you searched and read all of the other posts about similar topics?

TR

Calvengeance · 02-15-2009, 16:16

I reposted what OIFDan had put up.

Sorry.

Dozer523 · 02-15-2009, 21:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJ6986

Hello All,

Im a college student in the SMP program and have been offered schools through both my Guard unit and ROTC. None of these options are "a sure thing" yet I need to know which one to push for.

1. Ranger (My Guard unit tells me they can get me the slot yet, they have promised me things before and sometimes they don't pan out.)

2. Sapper (My school has one slot and I'm confident a can aquire it.)

3. Accelerated arabic training (If I select this training I will need to miss some of my school semester, and be forced to take only 12 college hours as flex courses. I have been studying Arabic for two years and can read, write and speak okay, and think an immersian course will help me become fluent so I can start working on learning Farsi.)

I guess my main question is what's more important walking into my first unit with a a tab and some experience or being fluent instead of "just pretty good at speaking Arabic".

Last comment I need make before anyone spends time helping me with my decision. I cracked a rib and tore an abdominal muscle yesterday so I will not be able to train physically for at leat 6-8 weeks which will give me about 2-3 months to prepare. I believe I'm mentally prepared and know I would never vw and currently Im in peak shape minus rib and I believe I can bounce back quickly.

Thank You All for the assistance.

You are So welcome, Sometime I think we just wait for questions like these.
Ranger vs. Sapper. It's a toss. -- Everyone knows one tab is as good as any other.
Acelerated Arabic, definately. The more you have to say, quickly, and in as many different languages; especially if it causes a delay in commissioning, is going to be a plus. AND, being fluent in Arabic guarantees your first assignment will be Camp Casey.
Since you are mentally prepared and know you would never vw and you're currently in peak shape, I wouldn't worry (even a little bit) about Ranger School. It will be a breeze. Go for it.
Let us know (in a few months with your next post) what you decide.

KJ6986 · 02-15-2009, 22:41

To your reply Dozer523,

In no way did I mean to come off offensive as to the question I stated, looking back it could have been worded much better.

I never meant to compare Ranger and Sapper as the same or even similiar, yet most advice from QP's was to either go for Sapper or Ranger training. I saw that TR stated Ranger first yet the likely hood of me getting it is much less than Sapper training. On the blog below mine you stated that no one likes a FOB and aquiring a badge would be very advisible, all I really wanted to know was if it was more crucial than taking an immersion arabic course.

The Arabic training to me seemed more worth while on completing , than either of the other schools simply because of the need for proffecient arabic speakers. Yet I didnt want to assume anything and thats why I asked.

The last comment I wrote was stupid and their is no excuse for stating it the way I did and in no way was I declaring my self a "shoe in" or anything of that nature. I was trying to ask if 2-3 months of training would be enough after suffering an injury that will seriously limit my physical training. I stated peak physical condition so anyone who was willing to help advise me would have a basis of were I was at before my injury.

Sorry for the slow Response time and thank you for all future Advise.

Sinister · 02-15-2009, 23:13

Do your own cost/benefit analysis.

You are gambling getting a slot to either Ranger or Sapper courses based on a shitty unit record or ability to deliver. There is no guarantee a slot can be worked around your undergrad matriculation.

You say you're coming off an injury. If you're not 100% and willing to give 100% the probability of you passing an already challenging course for Soldiers at full capacity is less than optimum.

What will be more valuable pre-commissioning training? If you're a combat arms officer you will be given the opportunity to attend the Ranger course as a lieutenant. If you're not going to be an Engineer officer why do you want to be a Sapper?

Take the Arabic course. You're a student. The credits for the course will transfer as academic hours (which you may or may not need anyway).

We're going to be fighting Arabs and/or launching from Arabic-language countries for years. The languages of global war today are English and Arabic.

Atilla · 02-15-2009, 23:49

KJ,

If you don't mind my asking which school are you at in San Antonio? UTSA?

Which immersion program are you considering?

I can't comment on the other parts of your question as I started the other thread asking about summer training opportunities so I am in the same boat on that issue as far as being DINK, but I can tell you that IMHO after studying Arabic for three years and spending five months in Egypt that unless you are going to an Arab country or Middlebury or DLI the Arabic option of which you speak may be a waste of your time especially if you are messing around with finishing school to do it.

KJ6986 · 02-15-2009, 23:52

Thank You for the Reply

When I first posted this question I had no Idea how long my ribs would take to heal (Actually I had an incorrect idea had to go back to emergency room this morning due to sharp breathing pains, my problem is more serious than I was first informed). Now I think I might not be at 100% physically and even if so I might still be over worried about it which could prevent me from performing at the level I would need to complete a training as demanding as Ranger.

Im pressing very hard for a combat arms comission and you are right that attending Ranger school will come up again but an Arabic program will not.

You are very correct, that we will either be fighting against arabic speaking countries or at least launching from them for the forseeable future.

I'm definately going to take the Arabic program.

Thank You very much for the input

KJ6986 · 02-15-2009, 23:58

Atilla,

Im at UTSA

The program is at DLI EAST (This is at least what I believe my unit was telling me but I'm waiting on more details. As I stated in the first post I needed to know what school to push for, because unless you get yourself involved and keep tabs on your packet, your not going anywhere.)

I agree some programs might not be very helpful, but from what I have heard DLI is about as good as it gets because its an immersian style. Off topic but were did you go to in Egypt? I lived in Madi for a long time and was just in Luxor and Aswan a few months ago.

Thank you for the advice as you have more arabic experience than I, and seem to know a good bit about the schools do you mind if I PM you once I get more details. And could advise me if you think it would be a productive course to take.

Atilla · 02-16-2009, 00:01

PM inbound soon.