Colorado Technical University

Just another moron requesting information about Option 40?

Hi I'm 21 years old and I want to join the Army next year. Like many people who post these questions on Yahoo Answers I'm interested in a Ranger Contract. First off, before I start jumping the gun, How many years Active do you have to sign up for? I heard that it is a minimum of 4 years but I have also heard from others that you can get it with only 3 Years. Also, can someone explain to me what Option 40 entails. To my understanding I hear that if you have an 11X series MOS or any other MOS that the 75th Ranger Regiment accepts you most likely go to BCT, Fort Benning if your Infantry, and AIT combined making that about 15 weeks plus reception. Then directly after the graduation ceremony you will go Airborne hold or Airborne school for 3 weeks. Then after completing Jump school your off to RIP for another 3 weeks of fun (in a sixth layer of Hell kind of way) and If you pass you will be assigned to one of the 3 battalions that make up the 75th Ranger Regiment where you will train and be deployed until you have proven yourself worthy enough to earn a leadership position via being sent to Ranger School. About me: I'm from Chicago. I'm a high school graduate. I'm currently in Community College earning my Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement and will have it completed by the summer, and No I am not in any form of ROTC. By the time I finish this degree I will have 75 credit hours and that's what worries me. How would my college career effect my chances of acquiring the Ranger Contract. Some have told me that can't because the Army will not let me enlist as a private due to my education level. Other have told me it shouldn't be a problem and they'll probably only let enlist as a Specialist anyway. I really don't care what I enlist as. Can someone tell me what i need to know? when I meant how many years active do I have to sign up for I meant how many do I have to sign up for to get Option 40.

Public Comments

1. It's possible to enlist for as little as two years. The recruiters wont want you to only do two years because it doesnt look as good on them. If you're interested in rangers, you can come in as really any MOS, because ranger batts need everything. Your best bet is to get everything in your contract, but yeah you can go to Fort Benning for Basic/AIT OSUT (one station unit training) for infantry (11X is the best way to get a bonus rather than requesting a specific type of infantry) and then when you finish OSUT, you should be able to go to airborne/rip if it's in your contract. I know airborne school is part of ranger school. Whenever you finish RIP, if you finish it, you go to the unit and when a slot opens, you'll go to ranger school. If you join and want to try to do ranger school, you can, it's not like you have to do it right when you join up. Also, remember that a large percent, (I think at least 60%) is required to be cut from the class, so they might do that right on the first day through vigorous PT. Good luck, man.
2. Ask a recruiter , he/she can give better answers than us know it all's on here.