Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 5/13/2011

Question
Hello sir, may I start out with saying God bless and thank you for serving our country. I'm 17 and graduating this December from my high school, I have a 3.5 GPA and am in Honor roll if that helps at all. I have a question about becoming an Officer for the Rangers and Marines, I know its very hard to become an Officer for the Rangers. I've talked to a few of them myself and I know its not something many can do, however I will be going to Texas A&M to the Core of Cadets where I will join Rudder's Rangers. Will this in ANY way help me achieve my goal of being a Ranger Officer? If not, what should I do to increase my chances?

After and IF I become a Ranger Officer and I'm done with my service with the Army, how hard would it be to switch to the Marines as an Officer, if that's even possible? I have always loved the Army and Marines, and I don't feel like I could only serve one. It is my dream to serve both branches.

I know this may seem a bit far-fetched or silly, but I am dedicated to following my dreams.

Thank you sir for your time and service to our country. God bless and thank you!

Answer
Taylor,
Congratulations on your HS graduation (soon).

This is not at all far-fetched or silly.  It's a great goal and one to shoot for.

If you go to ROTC, everything you learn will help increase your chances because it increases your knowledge, The Rudders's Rangers Company is great organization and will teach you a lot and help prepare you.
But the fact is...just doing it means nothing to the Army Rangers.  They're concerned about your performance from the time you enter the Army, not before.

One of my good friends is an Airborne Ranger, something not many people accomplish...Airborne and Ranger, and he just made Colonel.  So it's a great career builder if you can get in.

Good luck,
Colonel H