U.S. Army Ranger
Official force name
75th Ranger Regiment
Rangers
Other names
Airborne Rangers
Army Rangers
Task Force Ranger
U.S. Army Rangers
Branch
Chain of Command
Description
Readiness
Each battalion can deploy anywhere in the world with 18 hours notice.
Specializations
Conducting conventional or special light-infantry operations,
conducting direct action operations,
conducting raids,
infiltrating and exfiltrating by sea, air or land,
recovery of personnel and special equipment.
Headquarters
Motto
Rangers Lead The Way! (RLTW)
Sua Sponte ("Of their own accord")
Battalions
1st Battallion:
2nd Battallion:
3rd Battallion:
Equipment
Insertion date
June 19, 1942
Reason of creation
The 75th Ranger Regiment is a Special Operations Force of the United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC); with headquarters in Fort Benning, Georgia. The Regiment is a flexible, highly trained and rapidly deployable light infantry force with specialized skills that enables it to be employed against a variety of conventional and special operations targets.
The force specializes in Airborne, light-infantry and direct action operations, conducting raids, infiltration and exfiltration by air, land or sea, airfield seizure, recovery of personnel and special equipment, and support of general purpose forces (GPF) among others. Each Ranger Battalion can deploy anywhere in the world with 18 hours notice.
The Rangers are considered by many Americans as the best light infantry unit in the world.
Background
The term ‘Ranger’ first appeared in 1670 in Church's Rangers, though the WWII reference was taken from Roger's Rangers of 1756, whose Standing Orders are still quoted today. In May 1942 during World War II, the 1st Ranger Battalion was sanctioned and recruited from forces in Northern Ireland and trained in Scotland by the British Commandos. Together with the ensuing 3rd, and 4th Ranger Battalions they served in North Africa and Italy under William O. Darby until the Battle of Cisterna (January 29, 1944) when all but a handful of the 1st and 3rd were wiped out or captured.
Prior to the 5th Rangers landing on Omaha Beach in WWII, three Companies of the 2nd Ranger Batt. scaled the 150 foot cliffs of Point Du Hoc, a few miles to the west, to destory a battery of five 155mm guns. Under constant fire during the climb, they found only a small company of Germans on the cliffs and the artillery withdrawn some 500 metres. The guns were later found and destroyed and the Rangers cut and held the main road for two days before being relieved.
Becoming a Ranger
To become a member of the 75th Ranger Regiment prospective cadets must begin with the nine weeks of Basic Combat Training (BCT). Upon completion of Basic Training the soldier will then attend Advanced Individual Training (AIT) to obtain a Military Occupational Specialty (MOS). This training varies in length depending on the selected MOS. Next, the soldier must complete Airborne training. Upon graduation of Airborne School, the soldier will be assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment to attend the Ranger Indoctrination Program (RIP).
If the soldier passes each of the required training schools and RIP, he will receive an assignment to either the 75th Ranger Regiment Headquarters or one of the three Ranger Battalions. [1]
Motto: Rangers Lead The Way!
The Rangers earned their motto “Rangers Lead The Way!” (RLTW) on Omaha Beach in WWII. When General Cota reached the beach, he determined the force must move in land or perish. He asked, “What the hell unit is this?” Maj. Mac Schnider replied, “The Rangers.” General Cota said: “Rangers lead the way off this beach.”
Ranger Creed
Main article: Ranger Creed.
Operations
Famous Rangers
See also: List of actors who played Rangers in movies
Mike Steele, Pat Tillman, Kevin Tillman.
Related Topics
Further reading
External links
Official sites
Former Rangers websites
References
Articles
- US Army. GoArmy.com Ranger Recruitment: Entrance Information for Rangers. United States Army. United States of America.
- USASOC (2003). 75th Ranger Regiment: Fact Sheet. US Special Operations Command. United States of America.
Photos
- US Army Rangers. Rangers on night recon. Fort Benning, Georgia (USA): 75th Ranger Regiment.
Referenced By
Battle of Mogadishu | October 3, 1993 Battle of Mogadishu | October 3 1993 Battle of Mogadishu
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