Rangers (United States Army)

Rangers (United States Army)
Unit name	75th Ranger Regiment
Dates	1942–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army
Type	Light infantry, special operations
Role	Direct action, airborne, air assault, special reconnaissance
Size	Regiment
Garrison	Fort Moore, Georgia
Nickname	Rangers
Motto	"Rangers Lead the Way"
Notable commanders	William O. Darby, Creighton Abrams, William O. Darby

Rangers (United States Army) are elite light infantry soldiers organized for airborne and special operations, tracing lineage to World War II formations and modern special operations forces. They operate alongside units such as United States Army Special Operations Command, Joint Special Operations Command, and partner forces like United States Army Special Forces and Navy SEALs, conducting direct action, airborne assault, and special reconnaissance in campaigns ranging from World War II through Global War on Terrorism.

History

The origins extend to World War II units modeled on British Commandos and formed under leaders such as William O. Darby and campaigns including the North African campaign, Sicily campaign, and Italian Campaign (World War II). Postwar reorganizations led to Vietnam-era units operating in the Vietnam War and notable actions during the Tet Offensive. Cold War adjustments paralleled events like the Bay of Pigs Invasion aftermath and doctrinal shifts following the Iran hostage crisis. The modern 75th Ranger Regiment was activated and consolidated after restructurings in the 1970s and 1980s, participating in operations such as Operation Urgent Fury, Operation Just Cause, Operation Gothic Serpent, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom; it has worked with formations including XVIII Airborne Corps and commands such as United States Central Command.

Organization and units

The regiment comprises multiple battalions and subordinate elements within the structure of United States Army Special Operations Command and broader United States Army organization. Units include 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Ranger Battalions and a Regimental Special Troops Battalion, with commands at installations like Fort Moore and expeditionary taskings under Joint Special Operations Command. The organizational model reflects influences from historical formations such as Darby's Rangers and integrates with aviation units like 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) and support from United States Air Force Special Operations Command and NATO partners including British Army elements during combined missions.

Selection and training

Selection pathways include the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program and the U.S. Army Ranger School, both emphasizing airborne training, small-unit tactics, and leadership under stress. Candidates often possess prior service with units like 101st Airborne Division or 82nd Airborne Division and undergo phases comparable to Special Forces Assessment and Selection standards. Training events reference historical schools such as the Infantry School at Fort Benning and testing environments modeled on operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and arctic or jungle conditions akin to Operation Red Wings scenarios. Graduates earn tabs and qualifications recognized by institutions such as the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command.

Roles and operations

Rangers execute direct action raids, airfield seizures, and special reconnaissance in support of campaigns led by commands like United States Central Command and United States Africa Command. Notable operations include the raid on Entebbe-style hostage rescues, the Battle of Mogadishu-linked urban combat missions, and targeted assaults during Operation Anaconda and Operation Neptune Spear-adjacent activities. They frequently coordinate with units such as the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, French Army Special Forces Command (COS), and partner nation units during coalition operations in theaters like Syria, Yemen, and the Sahel.

Equipment and weapons

Ranger units employ weapons and gear standardized across United States Army Special Operations Command and allied procurement systems. Small arms include variants of the M4 carbine, Mk 17 Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle, M249 light machine gun, and precision systems like the SR-25 and M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System. Support and mobility rely on aircraft such as CH-47 Chinook, CV-22 Osprey, and fixed-wing platforms maintained by 160th SOAR (A) and the United States Air Force. Protective equipment and communications integrate systems from Program Executive Office Soldier programs and night-vision devices akin to those used by Delta Force and Navy SEALs.

Honors and insignia

Regimental honors reflect citations from campaigns including Normandy landings-era actions, decorations like the Presidential Unit Citation, and awards associated with service in Iraq and Afghanistan. Insignia include the Ranger tab, distinctive unit insignia of the 75th, and airborne qualifications tied to badges awarded by United States Army Human Resources Command. Notable Rangers have received individual recognitions such as the Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Service Cross for actions alongside allied soldiers from formations like the British Special Air Service and Canadian Special Operations Forces Command.

Category:United States Army units and formations Category:Special operations units and formations of the United States