United States Army Rangers

United States Army Rangers. They are an elite light infantry and special operations force within the United States Army, tracing their lineage to colonial-era ranging companies. Modern Ranger units are part of the United States Army Special Operations Command and are trained to conduct direct action raids, airfield seizures, and other high-risk missions. Their motto, "Rangers Lead the Way," was first used during the Normandy landings and remains a core tenet of their identity.

History

The concept of American rangers originated in the 17th century with frontier militias like those of Benjamin Church during King Philip's War. During the French and Indian War, Robert Rogers raised and commanded Rogers' Rangers, whose "Standing Orders" are still studied. In the American Civil War, units such as the 43rd Battalion Virginia Cavalry, known as Mosby's Rangers, continued irregular warfare traditions. The modern Ranger lineage was formally established in World War II with the creation of the 1st Ranger Battalion under Colonel William Orlando Darby, which saw action in the North African campaign and the Italian campaign. The Ranger Memorial at Fort Benning honors these origins. Subsequent battalions fought in the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and have been continuously deployed in conflicts from Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada to the ongoing War in Afghanistan.

Organization

The primary Ranger unit is the 75th Ranger Regiment, headquartered at Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning) in Georgia. The regiment consists of three maneuver battalions: the 1st Ranger Battalion at Hunter Army Airfield, the 2nd Ranger Battalion at Joint Base Lewis–McChord, and the 3rd Ranger Battalion at Fort Moore. The regiment also includes the Regimental Special Troops Battalion and the Ranger Military Intelligence Battalion. The 75th Ranger Regiment is a major subordinate command of the United States Army Special Operations Command and works closely with other Joint Special Operations Command units like the Delta Force and DEVGRU.

Training and selection

Prospective Rangers must first complete the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program (RASP). All enlisted soldiers and officers, regardless of prior military occupational specialty, must pass this rigorous assessment. Successful candidates then earn the right to wear the Ranger Tab, a distinct shoulder tab. The cornerstone of Ranger training is the Ranger School, a two-month leadership course open to members of all United States Armed Forces branches and allied militaries, known for its extreme physical and mental stress. The school, held at Fort Moore, includes phases in the mountains of Dahlonega and the swamps of the Florida Panhandle, culminating in the Florida Phase.

Equipment and uniforms

Rangers utilize advanced individual and crew-served weapons, including the M4 carbine, Mk 48 machine gun, and M107 Barrett rifle. They are often among the first units to field new equipment, such as the M320 Grenade Launcher Module. For mobility, they employ the M-ATV and fast-rope from helicopters like the MH-60 Black Hawk and MH-47 Chinook. Their standard uniform is the Operational Camouflage Pattern, but they frequently wear mission-specific gear from companies like Crye Precision. The distinctive Ranger Beret is a tan-colored beret worn with the Ranger Scroll unit patch on the left shoulder.

Notable operations

Rangers have executed some of the most complex missions in modern military history. During World War II, they scaled the cliffs at Pointe du Hoc on D-Day. In the Iran hostage crisis, they were part of the failed Operation Eagle Claw. They spearheaded the invasion of Grenada in Operation Urgent Fury and the invasion of Panama during Operation Just Cause. In the Battle of Mogadishu, chronicled in the book Black Hawk Down, Rangers fought in a protracted urban battle. Following the September 11 attacks, Rangers were instrumental in early operations in Afghanistan, including the Battle of Mazar-i-Sharif, and have conducted countless direct action raids against al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.

Traditions and insignia

The most sacred tradition is the Ranger Creed, recited by all members. The Ranger Tab is worn above the unit patch on the left shoulder, while the Ranger Scroll identifies the wearer's specific battalion. The regiment's official song is "The Ranger March." The Best Ranger Competition, held annually at Fort Moore, is a grueling two-day event that tests the skills of two-man teams from across the United States military. Fallen Rangers are honored with a memorial ceremony where their name is added to the Ranger Memorial and a Ranger coin is placed at the site. Category:United States Army Category:Special operations forces of the United States Category:Military units and formations established in 1942