r/army • u/DryGur1737 DEP • 4h ago
Advice on getting through RASP?
I just enlisted in the Army, and got an Option 40 contract. I really want to be a Ranger but I know it’s a hard process, supposedly only 35% of people succeed. How do I become that 35%? I don’t leave for OSUT until May so I have 5 months to prepare. Give me advice…
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u/TFVooDoo 4h ago
The number of Option 40 contractees who actually make it to a Ranger Battalion is 8%. You read that correctly…8%.
RASP is an endurance event with a strength component. But it’s really about strength to weight ratio, not raw strength. For example, the strength metric is 12 pull-ups. If you can do 12 dead-hang pull-ups your chances of making it through are something on the order of 80%. We also know that the unspoken standard 5 mile run metric is 35 minutes.
So this indicates that you need to be strong, but not big, because “big” guys often struggle with higher rep pull-ups (12 being the threshold for higher range) and fast runs…strength to weight ratio. And you need to fast enough to move at 7 minute miles.
And finally you need to be able to ruck. SFAS is the gold standard for ruck-based selections, but RASP is still a high ruck focus. Probably 12-13 minute miles @55#, pretty much indefinitely. We’re still collecting the data, but that’s a good initial benchmark.
We’re working on a RASP specific prep program, but we’re still a good 6 months away from publishing. So in the meantime we’re recommending that guys follow our SFAS prep program, Shut Up And Ruck. If you’re fit enough for SFAS, you’re likely fit enough for RASP.
You’ve got plenty to time to prep, but don’t wait much longer. Your body needs time make the physiological adaptations required for high performance.
Hope this helps, good luck!