Essential Items for RASP and Ranger School: What You Really Need When You're in the Trenches

Choosing Practical Gear for RASP and Ranger School

Navigating the rigorous journey of Ranger School requires careful consideration of the equipment you choose to bring. Many candidates make the mistake of overspending on items that, while important, may not be necessary to invest heavily in, and when all the items required to purchase are tallied up, the end result can be quite devastating to your wallet. This blog will delve into the essential items for Ranger School that candidates often pay far too much for, shedding light on practical alternatives that will serve you just as well.

Commonly Overspent Essentials

Among the items that candidates often splurge on include pocket knives, watches, multi-tools, and headlamps. It’s not uncommon for a candidate to spend over a hundred dollars on a pocket knife or a watch, fully believing that the hefty price tag is synonymous with superior performance. However, during my experience through both Ranger Assessment and Selection Program (RAS) and Ranger School, I realized that the value of such items is not purely defined by their cost.

Cost-Effective Alternatives That Get the Job Done

For those preparing for Ranger School, opting for a cost-effective approach can alleviate financial stress while ensuring you remain equipped. For a reliable pocket knife, the Squid EDC Knife by CRKT has proven to be a solid choice without breaking the bank, I personally carried this knife with me through RASP and Ranger School. It is well made, holds and edge well, and won't break the bank. It is just an extremely well made pocket knife. Similarly, a trusted multi-tool like any sub $50 Gerber multi-tool can provide versatility and utility and will serve you just as well as the 100-150$ versions which I also have. I can tell you from experience, don't waste your money on the more expensive ones.

When it comes to timekeeping, there are ample durable watches that don’t require you to invest heavily. I recommend choosing something reliable with basic functionalities rather than splurging on luxurious brands. I personally used the Casio Illuminator which I still have and still works perfectly even after it took an absolute beating out in the trench at Cole Range and in the swamps of Florida. GPS watches are strictly prohibited, so this is a cheap alternative which has the essential functions you need, a stopwatch, an alarm, and a backlight. This watch can be had for sub $30. A practical headlamp is another item where you can save—many candidates spend over $100 on brands that offer minimal additional benefits. A straightforward $20 headlamp featuring a competent red light is sufficient and, importantly, can be refueled in the field using AAA batteries. I will make another blog post on the importance of a bright redlight headlamp during the land navigation phases of both RASP and Ranger School.

Throughout RAS and Ranger School, the items you bring are likely to be exposed to wear and tear, theft, or even loss during intense training sessions. Therefore, investing a large amount of money into gear that has a high likelihood of being misplaced is inadvisable. Opting for reliable but affordable gear not only saves money but also eases the pressure of equipment loss.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, while it's crucial to be well-prepared for Ranger School, one need not drain their savings on overly expensive gear. The essentials—pocket knife, watch, multi-tool, and headlamp—are important, but practicality and cost-effectiveness can co-exist. As illustrated, the Illuminator by Casio, Squid EDC Knife, a reasonably priced Gerber multi-tool, and a functional headlamp can carry you through both RASP and Ranger School effectively. Look to my shop, I have put together a RASP/RANGER SCHOOL starter pack of the high quality EDC items you will need in RASP and Ranger School that won't hurt your bank account.