So why doesn't any character that can cast spells that need materials get component pouches as starting equipment?   Would this not be something they would naturally have? 

They do. Other than the Ranger, every class that has Spellcasting or Pact Magic starts with a component pouch or a spellcasting focus.

Hmm.  I have an arcane trickster rogue and an arcana cleric that didn't get them.   I would think they would but maybe because they are subclasses of classes that normally wouldn't they don't. 

Arcana clerics don't need a component pouch. The spells they gain from Arcane Initiate count as cleric spells, so their holy symbol will do the job.

Fighters and Rogues don't cast spells unless they pick specific subclasses, and that's not a concern until 3rd level.

Why Paladins start with a holy symbol but Rangers don't start with a component pouch is anyone's guess.

Ah that makes a lot of sense.  Thanks. 

So I looked up whats up with rangers and it looks like they wouldn't because they can't cast spells till level 2. 

Yeah, but Paladins can't cast spells until 2nd level either.

Well lookey there.   Weird.   I guess we are back to not knowing why. I guess I thought the level 1 divine sense and lay on hands needed the focus but i don't see that they do. 

Quote from Paladin54 >>

Well lookey there.   Weird.   I guess we are back to not knowing why. I guess I thought the level 1 divine sense and lay on hands needed the focus but i don't see that they do. 

 I guess since paladins are champions of a faith or cause it makes sense that they would carry this out in a symbol. Same as that a catholic priest wears a cross even though he doesn't have magical powers.

Ranger spells are pretty light on material components anyway, and a lot of them have pretty mundane items a ranger is going to have anyway (a morsel of food, some arrows, etc.)