11th Armored Cavalry Regiment hosts Irwin Pre-Ranger Assessment

Photo By Giancarlo Casem | Pre-Ranger candidates from the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment and Operations Group await instructions after participating in Combat Water Survival Training here Nov. 3. The CWST was the second event of the 11th ACR's Pre-Ranger Assessment.  

FORT IRWIN, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES

11.03.2009

Story by Sgt. Christopher Klutts 

11th Armored Cavalry Regiment

FORT IRWIN, Calif. - Soldiers from the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment and Operations Group participated in the Pre-Ranger Assessment Course hosted by the Blackhorse here Nov. 3-5.

The course consisted of the Ranger Physical Fitness Test, Combat Water Survival Training, an obstacle course, and a 12-mile foot march that had to be completed in less than three hours. Pre-Ranger candidates also executed in intensive classes that focused on basic soldiering skills and leadership in a field environment.

All of the tasks were completed in three days and under conditions of minimal sleep and food, said Staff Sgt. Tomas Acosta, the Regiment's non-commissioned officer-in-charge of schools.

Originally, the course was planned as a parallel of the Army National Guard's 14-day Pre-Ranger Course in Fort Benning, Ga. However, due to the 11th ACR's mission of rotational support, it had to be shortened, Acosta said.

"What we decided to do, was instead of having an actual two week pre-ranger course, we have the Pre-Ranger Assessment," Acosta said. "Basically, it is designed to weed out the ones who won't be able to pass the first week of Ranger School."

The 11th ACR's Pre-Ranger Assessment Course mirrors the Ranger Assessment Program, or RAP Week, at the U.S. Army Ranger School in Fort Benning.

First, Soldiers took the Ranger Physical Fitness Test. The test consisted of two minutes of push-ups, two minutes of sit-ups, and a five-mile run that had be completed in less than 40 minutes. After the run, the Soldiers had to perform six pull-ups under the watchful eye of the Pre-Ranger Instructors.

The Soldiers were then told whether or not they passed the RPFT. Those who failed were given the option to stay for the rest of the course and gain training from the experience, or they could quit. The Soldiers who stayed received a certificate of completion at the end of the course, but did not graduate. They will have to come back and graduate from the assessment before attending Ranger School, Acosta said.

Sgt. Sean T. Reardon, a Fredrick, Md., native, now a squad leader with Dragon Team, Operations Group, was one of the Soldiers who stayed to complete the course knowing he wouldn't graduate.

"If you want to be a Ranger, I have no idea why you wouldn't want to go to this Pre-Ranger course," Reardon said. "It's basically your study guide before the test."

During the Pre-Ranger Assessment Course, 26 Soldiers started and only four graduated, including the honor graduate, Spc. Raymond A. Martin, a grenadier with 1st Platoon, F Troop, 2nd Squadron, 11th ACR.

"I would recommend it to anybody who wants a leadership position or who just wants to be a better Soldier," said Martin, a Los Angeles native. "It totally painted a different picture for me. You had to be a platoon sergeant or a squad leader and had to learn their jobs. I learned how much actually goes into planning a mission."

As the honor graduate, Martin will be the first from his class to be able to attend the U.S. Army Ranger School. He gave advice to those attending the 11th ACR's Pre-Ranger Assessment Course in the future.

"Stay physically fit and learn the Ranger Creed," Martin said. "A lot of guys were tired. During class it was hard for them to stay awake. I took notes and really wanted to be there. You really have to want to do it."

• Date Taken: 11.03.2009
• Date Posted: 11.17.2009 19:11
• Story ID: 41706
• Location: FORT IRWIN, CALIFORNIA, US