Ranger School

Ranger School
Unit name	Ranger School
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army
Command structure	United States Army Infantry School
Garrison	Fort Benning

Ranger School is a premier training program for the United States Army, designed to teach advanced combat skills to United States Army Rangers and other United States Armed Forces personnel. The school is operated by the United States Army Infantry School and is located at Fort Benning, Georgia. The program is highly selective, with only a small percentage of applicants being accepted, and is known for its rigorous training and high dropout rate, with many students also attending United States Army Airborne School and United States Army Air Assault School. The school's curriculum is designed to prepare students for the physical and mental challenges of combat, with a focus on Special Operations Forces and Unconventional Warfare, similar to the training received by Delta Force and Green Berets.

Introduction

The Ranger School is designed to teach students the skills necessary to operate in a variety of environments, from Jungle Warfare to Arctic Warfare, and to prepare them for the challenges of combat in different parts of the world, such as Afghanistan and Iraq. The school's training program is based on the principles of Guerrilla Warfare and Counterinsurgency, and is designed to teach students how to work effectively in small teams, using tactics and techniques developed by T.E. Lawrence and Che Guevara. The school's instructors are all experienced United States Army Rangers who have completed the program themselves, and many have served in Special Operations Command and Joint Special Operations Command. The school's training program is also influenced by the experiences of other Special Operations Forces, such as the British Special Air Service and the Australian Special Air Service Regiment.

History

The Ranger School was established in 1950, during the Korean War, as a response to the need for highly trained and mobile infantry units, similar to the Chindits and Merrill's Marauders. The school's first class graduated in 1951, and since then, the program has undergone several changes and expansions, including the addition of new training phases and the introduction of new equipment and tactics, such as the M4 Carbine and M249 SAW. The school has also been influenced by the experiences of other military units, such as the United States Marine Corps and the United States Navy SEALs. Many notable military leaders have attended the Ranger School, including Creighton Abrams, Norman Schwarzkopf Jr., and David Petraeus, who have all gone on to serve in key roles in the United States Army and United States Central Command.

Curriculum

The Ranger School's curriculum is designed to teach students a wide range of skills, including Marksmanship, First Aid, and Navigation, as well as more advanced skills such as Patrolling, Ambush, and Raids, similar to the training received by Spetsnaz and GROM. The school's training program is highly physical, with students being required to complete a series of challenging exercises and obstacle courses, such as the Darby Queen and Malvesti Field, designed to test their endurance and agility. The school's instructors use a variety of training methods, including Live Fire Exercises and Simunition, to teach students how to work effectively in a variety of environments, from Urban Warfare to Mountain Warfare. The school's curriculum is also influenced by the experiences of other military units, such as the French Foreign Legion and the Israeli Defense Forces.

Training Phases

The Ranger School's training program is divided into three phases, each of which is designed to teach students a specific set of skills, similar to the training received by United States Army Special Forces and United States Navy Special Warfare Command. The first phase, known as the Darby Phase, is designed to teach students the basics of Ranger training, including Marksmanship and First Aid. The second phase, known as the Mountain Phase, is designed to teach students how to operate in a mountainous environment, using tactics and techniques developed by Heinrich Harrer and Anders Lassen. The third phase, known as the Florida Phase, is designed to teach students how to operate in a jungle environment, using tactics and techniques developed by Orde Wingate and Walter Koch. Each phase is designed to be highly challenging, with students being required to complete a series of difficult exercises and obstacle courses, such as the Ranger Obstacle Course and Swamp Phase.

Graduation and Awards

Students who complete the Ranger School's training program are awarded the Ranger Tab, which is a prestigious badge of honor in the United States Army. The school's graduation ceremony is a formal event, with many notable military leaders and dignitaries in attendance, including the Chief of Staff of the United States Army and the Commander of United States Special Operations Command. Graduates of the Ranger School are also eligible to attend other advanced training programs, such as United States Army Special Forces and United States Navy Special Warfare Command, and many go on to serve in key roles in the United States Army and United States Special Operations Command. The school's graduates have also been recognized for their achievements, with many receiving awards such as the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, and Silver Star, and have served in key roles in the Gulf War and War in Afghanistan.

Notable Alumni

Many notable military leaders have attended the Ranger School, including Creighton Abrams, Norman Schwarzkopf Jr., and David Petraeus, who have all gone on to serve in key roles in the United States Army and United States Central Command. Other notable alumni include Stanley McChrystal, William Boykin, and Bryan D. Brown, who have all served in key roles in United States Special Operations Command and Joint Special Operations Command. The school's alumni have also included many notable figures from outside the military, such as Chuck Norris and Pat Tillman, who have all been recognized for their achievements and contributions to the United States Army and United States Special Operations Command. The school's alumni have also served in key roles in the Iraq War and War on Terror, and have been recognized for their bravery and sacrifice, with many receiving awards such as the Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal.

Category:United States Army