CAG will take anyone?

**chuckman** · 03-15-23, 08:11

Originally Posted by SteyrAUG

I know a sample of one guy who served in three branches...Navy, Army and Marines before he went Delta.

He was a Navy diver but not a seal. He did SF, Ranger and airborne in the Army but was an 11B not an 18.

I think he was Marine Recon when he got the invite.

How was he in SF if he wasn't a 18 series? Support?

**sinister** · 03-15-23, 10:33

Originally Posted by ABNAK

... the Rangers are so highly represented is that they are generally younger and CAG felt they can mold them to their model much more so than SF folks.

The average Operator age at Selection is 26.

**Wake27** · 03-15-23, 11:06

Originally Posted by sinister

The average Operator age at Selection is 26.

Wow I would’ve guessed that they were a lot older.

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**WillBrink** · 03-15-23, 11:20

Originally Posted by sinister

The average Operator age at Selection is 26.

I know things have changed over time. I recall at one time you had to be Sgt to even apply to SF, and the main pipeline to CAG was SF, so they were older. It seems per other comments, they have learned Rangers being a bit younger and more trainable has increased the Ranger pipeline over time. Correct if inaccurate, that's my recollections.

Originally Posted by Wake27

Wow I would’ve guessed that they were a lot older.

Would be more interesting to know what the average age is of those who survive selection. That might be the more telling metric.

**Wake27** · 03-15-23, 12:31

Originally Posted by WillBrink

I know things have changed over time. I recall at one time you had to be Sgt to even apply to SF, and the main pipeline to CAG was SF, so they were older. It seems per other comments, they have learned Rangers being a bit younger and more trainable has increased the Ranger pipeline over time. Correct if inaccurate, that's my recollections.

Would be more interesting to know what the average age is of those who survive selection. That might be the more telling metric.

I don’t really understand how the dark side works but I assumed that 75th being under JSOC had something to do with it too.

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**chuckman** · 03-15-23, 12:37

Originally Posted by Wake27

I don’t really understand how the dark side works but I assumed that 75th being under JSOC had something to do with it too.

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I thought, and could be wrong (would not be the first time today), that the Rangers are under socom, not JSOC.

**ABNAK** · 03-15-23, 18:18

Originally Posted by sinister

The average Operator age at Selection is 26.

Roger that, that's kind of what I was driving at. To us "old" bastages 26 is a mere pup, but considering (as in my case) that I left for active duty the day after I turned 18 a 26yo is an "older" troop; not quite mid-career yet but certainly experienced by then. Figure at that point most of them already have 7 or 8 years service by age 26. Maybe a seasoned E-5(P) or E-6 by then, but not necessarily yet inculcated with a certain unit "mind set" that CAG can still mold to their own specific mission requirements and mentality.

EDIT: back when I was in during the mid 80's the Rangers were "Super Grunts", which is certainly not a slam as I was just plain-old Airborne Infantry. Over time they began riding "shotgun" for CAG (i.e. Mogadishu in 1993) and became more operator-ish as time went on. Hell, last I heard they don't even have to keep a high-and-tight anymore, which was their hallmark at one time. Things evolve over time and the Rangers are a perfect example of it.

**Averageman** · 03-15-23, 18:27

Originally Posted by ABNAK

Roger that, that's kind of what I was driving at. To us "old" bastages 26 is a mere pup, but considering (as in my case) that I left for active duty the day after I turned 18 a 26yo is an "older" troop; not quite mid-career yet but certainly experienced by then. Figure at that point most of them already have 7 or 8 years service by age 26. Maybe a seasoned E-5(P) or E-6 by then, but not necessarily yet inculcated with a certain unit "mind set" that CAG can still mold to their own specific mission requirements and mentality.

I think if you are Military and you've not been injured, your likely to be in your best physical condition between 32 and 35.
I know I was.