Rangers (United States)

Rangers (United States)
Unit name	United States Army Rangers
Dates	1755–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army
Type	Light infantry, special operations
Role	Direct action, airborne operations, reconnaissance, raids
Garrison	Fort Moore, Georgia
Nickname	"Rangers"
Motto	"Rangers Lead the Way"
Notable commanders	William Tex Worth, Ralph Puckett, Ralph H. Van Deman

Rangers (United States) are U.S. Army light infantry and special operations units that trace lineage to colonial ranger companies and serve in airborne, air assault, reconnaissance, and direct-action roles. Rangers have participated in major conflicts including the French and Indian War, American Revolutionary War, War of 1812, American Civil War, Banana Wars, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), and the Iraq War. The modern Rangers include both conventional light infantry regiments and elite special operations elements that operate alongside units such as the United States Special Operations Command, 75th Ranger Regiment, and other service branches like the United States Marine Corps and United States Navy during joint operations.

History

Ranger traditions begin with colonial figures such as Benjamin Church and Robert Rogers, whose Rogers' Rangers fought in the Seven Years' War and authored the Rogers' Rangers Standing Orders. Ranger-like units served under leaders like Daniel Morgan in the American Revolutionary War and under militia in the War of 1812 including actions at the Battle of Lake Erie. In the 19th century, frontier rangers operated during the Texas Revolution and the Mexican–American War alongside commanders like Antonio López de Santa Anna. The 20th century saw Ranger evolutions in the Philippine–American War, the Banana Wars, and establishment of Ranger battalions in World War II that conducted raids in the Sicilian Campaign, Normandy landings, and the Burma Campaign under leaders such as William O. Darby and Ralph H. Van Deman. Postwar reorganizations produced Ranger units in the Korean War and Vietnam War, leading to the creation of the modern 75th Ranger Regiment within the United States Army Special Operations Command in the 1980s following lessons from operations like the Iran hostage crisis and the Operation Eagle Claw rescue attempt.

Organization and Units

Contemporary Ranger forces include the 75th Ranger Regiment, composed of multiple battalions and a regimental headquarters brigade stationed at Fort Moore, Georgia and forward elements at installations such as Hunter Army Airfield. The regiment operates in conjunction with units like the 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne), Joint Special Operations Command, and conventional formations including the XVIII Airborne Corps. Historical and state-level organizations include Ranger companies from the colonial era, Civil War units like Mosby's Rangers, and World War II formations such as the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional) ("Merrill's Marauders"). Ranger-affiliated schools and institutions include the United States Army Ranger School and the U.S. Army Infantry School which maintain doctrinal links to ranger missions and units across the Army.

Training and Selection

Ranger selection and training occur through courses like the United States Army Ranger School at Fort Moore, Georgia and selection programs for the 75th Ranger Regiment including the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program (RASP). Candidates often have prior service in units such as the 82nd Airborne Division, 101st Airborne Division, or Special Forces Groups before attempting Ranger pipelines. Ranger School emphasizes small-unit tactics developed from manuals and historical lessons such as those of Robert Rogers and modern doctrine influenced by experiences in Operation Urgent Fury and Operation Just Cause. Training includes airborne qualification at Fort Bragg, survival training connected to programs like SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape), and specialized instruction in close-quarters battle derived from interservice exchanges with United States Navy SEALs and United States Air Force Combat Controllers.

Operations and Deployments

Ranger units have executed a spectrum of operations from direct-action raids to airborne assaults and special reconnaissance. Notable missions include seizing airfields and conducting air assaults during Operation Just Cause, participation in Operation Desert Storm during the Gulf War, parachute assaults in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, and raids during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Rangers have supported joint missions with Delta Force, Navy SEALs, and NATO partners such as British Special Air Service during multinational campaigns. Operations have ranged from high-profile hostage rescues and raids influenced by events like the Iran hostage crisis to counterinsurgency and foreign internal defense assignments advising partner forces in theaters including the Philippines and the Horn of Africa.

Equipment and Weapons

Ranger units employ light infantry and special operations equipment such as the M4 carbine, M249 SAW, M240 machine gun, and precision rifles like the M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System. For mobility they use rotary-wing platforms including the UH-60 Black Hawk and fixed-wing assets like the C-130 Hercules for airborne insertion. Rangers integrate communications gear compatible with systems used by United States Special Operations Command and rely on night-vision devices and targeting pods employed on platforms like the AH-64 Apache. Support equipment includes combat rations, body armor systems interoperable with Soldier Protection System components, and specialized breaching tools derived from lessons in urban operations such as those in Fallujah.

Insignia, Traditions, and Culture

Ranger heraldry and traditions include the motto "Rangers Lead the Way," the distinctive tan beret adopted by the 75th Ranger Regiment, and insignia such as the scroll and tab. Ceremonial and cultural elements derive from historical figures like Robert Rogers and operational icons like William O. Darby; units observe lineage through honors from campaigns including Normandy, Panama, and Afghanistan. Ranger culture emphasizes small-unit initiative, marksmanship, and airborne esprit de corps reflected in commemorations at locations like the National Infantry Museum and partnerships with veteran organizations such as the Ranger Hall of Fame. Training milestones such as earning the Ranger tab mark professional achievement recognized across services including by units like the United States Marine Corps and United States Navy personnel who have attended Ranger School.

Category:Military units and formations of the United States