Ranger Assessment: A character builder Published Oct. 26, 2011 By Airman 1st Class Whitney Jackson Nellis Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- The Air Combat Command Ranger Assessment and Selection Course is a 12-day program offered at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. which is designed to develop confident, tough and capable small-unit leaders so they can complete the U.S. Army Ranger School successfully. The Ranger Assessment and Selection Course is stress-oriented and develops its students to lead and command under heavy mental, emotional and physical stress. One way the course accomplishes this is by providing practical, realistic and strenuous field exercises using an infantry rifle squad and platoon. "There is really no way to describe the intensity of this course," said Staff Sgt. Jade McLeod, 60th Security Forces Squadron security forces craftsman from Travis Air Force Base, Calif. "The only way to describe the difficulty is to just imagine the ground is falling from under you, and you can only grab onto the walls." This fast-paced course is an evaluation selection course specifically for male Air Force service members who strive to attend Army Ranger School. "This is not a tactical course," said Master Sgt. Richard Mulder, 99th Ground Combat Training Squadron NCO in charge of integrated defense. "It's a leadership course to be able to lead under austere conditions, sleep and food deprivation." On average, the Airmen attending the course receive two to four hours of sleep, carry 55- to 80-pound rucksacks and sometimes only receive one Meal, Ready to Eat per day while burning around 2,000 to 3,000 calories daily. During the course, the Ranger students are given a mission and gear and are instructed to figure out a plan to accomplish the mission as fast and accurately as possible. "One of the hardest things to do is try to lead a bunch of people who are trying to lead themselves," McLeod said. "You have to have team unity and learn how to lead, as well as be a follower." Each student has to be evaluated in a leadership position at least twice throughout the course. If the student does not meet the instructors' standards, the student receives a "no-go" and is "washed back" to try again. In this course, a student does not fail unless he is medically boarded or drops out voluntarily. "It's very uncomfortable to tell someone they're a no-go," said Tech. Sgt. Antonio Marrero, 99th Ground Combat Training Squadron integrated defense flight sergeant. "You try to pass on your information and knowledge to them, and to see that not happen, it's a disappointment. However, it's an awesome feeling to watch the students start to get it... makes me think back to when I was in their shoes." According to the instructors, most students have to take the assessment course twice before they get a "go" for Army Ranger School and when they do, it is usually only a few Air Force personnel from one class at a time. "This course is a character builder," McLeod said. "You find a lot and learn a lot about yourself that you didn't know. You break time lines and mess up. It's physically and mentally demanding. This isn't for everyone; you have to really want it to make it." The October 2011 class started out with 22 students and, by the end of the Ranger Assessment and Selection Course, there were only 17 students who graduated and 4 were selected to attend the 60 day-long Army Ranger School, which will certify them to be a ranger and receive a ranger tab. "The ranger tab is something people can't always see," McLeod said. "However, you know it's there and you know what you did to earn it. People can't take it away from you; it's something special."
