What's Harder - RANGER School or the SPECIAL FORCES Qualification Course?

Having a Ranger Tab and the Special Forces Tab, I get asked all the time which school was harder. The answer is complicated. Both schools are physically and mentally challenging, but in different ways. I generally say that Ranger school sucks more but the Q course is harder. Let me explain more…..and I will do so using 8 distinct criteria….. Duration & Phases, Graduation Rates, Food & Sleep, Ruck Weights, Patrol Distances, and Patrol Standards. Let’s start with Duration & Phasing….

*** Point of Clarification*** SFAS is only 24 days.

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Thanks for watching,

Christopher Littlestone
Life is a Special Operation
Are You Ready for It?

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[attentionlabel]

High school was way harder, especially because they used live rounds

[moosaysthecow]

The Rangers final test is a trickshot off top of rust with out commando pro.

[bingbongthegong]

My cousin is a Ranger. Had a convo with him once about it..

Me: What's the hardest part about Ranger school
Him: The hardest? I'm not sure, but I know the easiest part.
Me: Whats that?
Him: Falling asleep

[tommyfinley]

Mind: "I could probably still do that"
Body: *laughs in bone spurs, back problems, and arthritis*

[alexinocencio]

Next episode should be "What's Harder - Navy SEALs selection and training or Being Straight in the Navy"

[marshallloeks]

My dad was so hungry in ranger school he hallucinated and thought a tree was a vending machine, trying to put a quarter in it.

[glennbrymer]

I learned that I am able to do Much more then I ever thought I could.
I was forced to do more and more and more under worse & worse conditions. I could have just quit...
But that was not an option for me personally. I was amazed at how much I could endure and suffer through. Later, when I got zapped, the only thing that kept me fighting to live, was my past training.
Thank you Sgt Fitzpatrick,
I am alive today because you and the other instructors pushed me past my breaking point.

[StormySky]

0:28 Him saying ranger school "sucks more" my guess, probably means it was more physically demanding where as the Q course was harder and more mentally taxing.

[jonsmallwood]

The new Secretary of Defense had been confirmed and was touring the Pentagon, taking briefings on the capabilities of his forces. He had a well-deserved reputation as a no-nonsense guy. After a briefing on Special Operations Forces, he was escorted to lunch by a Green Beret officer.

The secretary’s confused look did not bode well as they walked through the E ring. “I understand how SOF is different from conventional forces, but the Rangers and Green Berets seem just alike to me. You have a Special Forces Tab and a Ranger Tab. What’s the difference?”


“The units are very different, sir. While both units are composed of very capable soldiers, selected for intelligence and fitness, Rangers attack the enemy directly, while Special Forces work by, with, and through indigenous forces to accomplish tasks far beyond their numbers.” The Green Beret secretly hoped he would not be pulled into the eternal Ranger versus SF discussion for the 10, 000th time. He prided himself in his teaching abilities, but this guy was being obtuse.

“They dress just alike, they are both ARSOF units, and they both have direct-action capabilities. How are they so different?” It seemed the secretary was going to force this. The next four years of Special Forces missions hinged on the new secretary’s understanding. As they walked through an area of temporary construction, the Green Beret had a flash of inspiration.

“Sir, humor me here; let’s do a little demonstration. Rangers are highly aggressive. They pride themselves on their toughness and discipline. They follow orders without question. You see that huge soldier with a tan beret? He is a Ranger.”

As the Ranger approached, the Green Beret called out, “Hey, Ranger! Come here.”

The Ranger moved toward them, sprang to attention and saluted. “Rangers lead the way, sir. How may I be of assistance?”

“Can you help us here for a moment? This is the new Secretary of Defense. He wants to know more about the Rangers. Will you help me educate him?”

Pointing to a new section of hallway, the Green Beret officer said, “Ranger, I need you to break through that wall.”

“Hooah, sir. Would you like a breach, or complete destruction?”

“A man-sized breach will be fine.”

With that, the Ranger removed his beret and assumed a three-point stance six feet from the wall. With a grunt, he launched himself into the wall, punching his head and shoulders right through the drywall. Hitting a 2×4 on the way through, he was a little stunned, but he continued to work, smashing a hole wide enough for a fully kitted Ranger to pass through. Staggering to his feet with a trickle of blood running down his face, he appeared a little disoriented.

“Thank you, Ranger. Great job. You are a credit to the Regiment. You need to go the aid station and get some one to look at that cut.”

The secretary was incredulous. He had never seen such a display of pure discipline and strength. “That was astounding. What could Special Forces possibly do to match that?”

The Green Beret was also impressed, but not surprised. “The Rangers are highly disiplined sir, but Special Forces selection and training also produces strong, highly disciplined soldiers. We deploy older, more mature soldiers in very small numbers. They understand that they are a valuable strategic resource, and are selected for their advanced problem-solving abilities.”

The secretary seemed displeased. “Frankly, that sounds like bullshit. It seems that these Rangers are the finest soldiers in the Army. What could Special Forces do that the Rangers cannot?”

As he spoke, a Green Beret staff sergeant walked by. Not as young or lean as the Ranger, he had a commanding presence and a serious look filled with confidence. The Green Beret officer called him over.

“Hey Mike, can you help us here for a moment? This is the new Secretary of Defense. He wants to know more about the Special Forces; will you help me educate him?”

The staff sergeant shook the secretary’s hand and introduced himself. “How can I help you, sir?”

Pointing to an undamaged section of hallway, the Green Beret officer said, “Mike, I need you to break through that wall.”

“No problem. Would you like a breach, or complete destruction?”

“A man-sized breach will be fine.”

The staff sergeant removed his beret and stood for a moment in silent thought six feet from the wall. He scanned the area and smiled broadly as he found the perfect tool for the job. “Hey Ranger, ” he said, “come here.” - Exerpt from SOFREP.com - BY MARK MILLER 01.04.2015

[TheSpartanPaul]

The real question is, if you are stuck in a room with a crossfitter, a vegan and a ranger. Who will tell you what they are

[kension]

One thing I learned when going through the more extreme training schools in the military is this. You do NOT make up sleep. There's no such thing. Once it is gone and missed, it is gone, it doesn't come back. Realizing this one thing alone helped me quite a bit. One thing you can do to keep your calories up when going through Ranger School or RIP is this, and I got the idea from the Ranger School survival manual. You won't always have time to eat. So, drink as much whole milk as you possibly can. In the book he talks about how everyone else was losing weight in phase one while he gained weight, and the RIs couldn't figure out how it was possible. You'll lose it all in mountain anyways. But, it does act like as a nice little buffer against running on a constant coloric defect.

[gerardoleyton]

Thanks for sharing your experiences...as an old school Ranger and SF member [never attended but was assigned to the 8th SF in Panama after my combat tour in Vietnam] 1967-1976, we were the the point of the spear at that time, and our training was tough, merciless and realistic. And we were ready to face what may...the new breed of Ranger and SF trooper I see when I go to Ft Lewis, is playing the same role, being the point of the spear, in a much different multifaceted type of combat environment...I am honored and proud of what we, the Old Generation, accomplished when we were the ones occupying the place this new warriors occupy for us today. To all of you, Hand Salute, RLTW!

[john_doe_smith]

It takes a special kind of person to go through all that. No doubt.

[xsfrgrrvn]

I made it through SF in 1968, and Ranger in 1970. I know that things have changed since my time, but while I found SF to be challenging I found Ranger to life changing. SF selection was 3 weeks, and by the time it was finished about 70% of us were gone. As near as I could tell about 12 of the original 120 made it all the way through. Ranger started with 319, and graduated 81. I took the last step at Hurlburt field, fell flat of my face, and graduated in the hospital. In my day Ranger candidates worked on one C-ration per day, and the usual no sleep, etc. SF training had no food restrictions, and I don't recall being particularly exhausted. Before Ranger School I had an SF combat tour in 'Nam, and I thought I was a hard ass. Ranger class 4-71 taught me I wasn't as bad as I thought I was. In the end I agree with the author: Ranger is the most glorious suck of all time while SF produces the thinking man's predator.

[jamesh.dickens]

Army: let’s make sleep deprivation one of the hardest parts about ranger school!
Teenagers today: I’m about to end this mans whole career

[terminaltom]

I did 20 in the army and had the chance to meet some Ranger types, saw very few SF. I admire and respect anybody who can put up with what you guys did.
Just one request - please NEVER EVER let yourselves be used to suppress the american people. You are in a position of some power when you are serving, and you are, in my opinion. the very last hope for americans who are being dominated and suppressed by a corrupt american government that is not responsible to the will or needs of americans.
We are counting on you to do the right thing when the time comes.

[rocketdogticker]

How dare you use logic and solid comparable analysis while having a soothing voice.👍 I must subscribe 👍

[robertw]

This type of training is invaluable in life, not just the military. Hats off to all who entered and to those that compleated the programs.

[drewber]

I'm an Army O-6, Dental Corps. So, I did EFMB and Zero day for AA. I never attempted Ranger or SF. I've always known the basic differences in the schools and the purposes of the units. This is the best video explanation I've seen on the subjects. Well done!

[JCarverAuburn]

I know this is an “old” video (ie, 2yrs old); however, I just came across the video & your channel. Upon completion, I immediately subscribed (w/ all future notifications set), & I wanted to say, “this was a GREAT, & EXTREMELY INFORMATIVE, video. You did a fantastic job not only articulating your POVs (& returning to them often to reenforce), but also providing sound logic & rationales for your positions/POVs while simultaneously being informative in a general sense so as to appropriately set (initial) expectations for any, & all, interested in a future in the SOF community.” Thank you for the video, & the time you took to do it better than anyone else’s (imo). Finally, thank you for your service. As the first person in my family to be unable to serve - discovered I have a bone disease in my right leg (likely from my dad’s 2 tours in Vietnam &, specifically, Agent Orange) & amputation wouldn’t have sufficed to become eligible - I became a business professor & textbook author; however, I’ve long turned to the tried & true methods & lessons of the military for insights into Marketing & Entrepreneurship Strategy, & this, while not directly related, offered several insights I know I will use in future courses & writings. Again, thank you for your service, & this great video, & I look forward to learning more from y’all in the future. Have a great upcoming week, & sorry for the long message.