Introduction
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Listing of the Ranger MOS
The US Army Rangers are the premium Infantry of the US military and have a long and prestigious history to the present day. The Rangers come under JSOC (Joint Special Operations Command). As such a Battalion, regularly rotated, is deemed a Ranger Ready Force capable of deploying anywhere for up to a month within 18 hours of getting their orders for that deployment.
Those who come in from a foreign country must demonstrate competency in the operation of American issue weapons, such as the M60 machinegun and M203 grenade launcher before beginning the Ranger Course. Also minimal physical requirements are present with a pre-selection course enabling potential candidates to get a taste for what the Ranger course is all about and whether or not they have "the right stuff". Ranger School is no longer open to Soldiers that are not combat arms. The 75th Ranger Regiment is an exempted unit to this policy.
The Rangers are a Light Infantry formation and as such their weapons and equipment does not feature a great deal of heavy ordnance comparable to some other units. Vehicular resources are predictably low. 60mm Mortars are used for indirect fire support while M240 (FN MAG) Machineguns are used for suppressive fire.
All Commanding Officers Non-commissioned Officers must be Airborne and Ranger qualified to be part of the 75th Ranger Regiment. Officer and senior NCO's attend the Ranger Orientation Program (ROP) to integrate them into the Regiment. Enlisted soldiers assigned to the Regiment go through the Ranger Indoctrination Program (RIP). Those that fail either of these programs will be transferred out of the Regiment.
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History
Colonial Era
Frontier's of the new country of the Americas witnessed many vicious attacks of great skill from native Indian tribes which included the long range scouting and raiding techniques so effective against the new settlers. So the pioneers of the new land took it upon themselves to utilise such tactics and took the war to the Indians, managing with some success to counter the threat. They would search out the Indian raiding parties and take the battle to them before they got within range of the settlements. The term "Ranger" comes from the fact that these settlers had gone out so far from their homes and reported that they had "ranged" or patrolled out to a given distance. As it is today, patrolling is a critical and well formed skill of the Rangers. This is essential for ensuring control of territory, a vital Infantry skill.
Rogers Rangers
Rogers Rangers are the most famous in the history of the Rangers but it was not Rogers who first began them. In 1670 a Ranger force was organised to counter a tribe under the command of Metocomet, also known as King Phillip. Under the command of Captain Benjamin Church the Rangers eliminated the hostile element and ended the King Phillip's War five years later. It was later that the French and Indian War saw Major Robert Rogers from New Hampshire organised nine companies to fight the French from 1756 to 1763. He published "Rogers Standing Orders" which incited security, good tactics and preparedness. Rogers stressed realistic training with live fire exercises and as much pre-operational preparation.
A farmer in 1755, Rogers was recruited into British service. Like the Royal Green Jackets, they donned green uniforms as opposed the scarlet coloured uniforms standard to the British Army of the time. During the Revolution, George Washington declined Rogers' services and as a result he decided to join up with the British, whereby he commanded the Queen's Rangers, later creating the King's Rangers. The Queen's Rangers were raised by order of the King of England in 1756.
Winter time saw most military elements essentially inactive but the Rangers revealed in it, taking full advantage of their enemy dormancy. They would don skis and snow shoes and take the war to the opposition making superb use of guerrilla tactics to exact as much damage as possible.
World War Two
Six Ranger battalions were initiated shortly after the American entry to the Second World War. These specialist units performed with great bravery in Europe and the Pacific, the former being at Normandy on D-Day. The end of the war brought the disbanding of the Rangers. But this was short lived with the arrival of the Korean war.
Korea
Eight companies were raised for the Korean war where they were each attached to Infantry Divisions. Most of these volunteers came mostly from the 82nd Airborne. As in the past they performed Recon missions and raids behind enemy lines. This was also the first time where airborne techniques were used in their deployments and training. It was also these Rangers that assisted in the development of the US Army Special Forces which first saw action in Vietnam.
Vietnam
LURP
13 Infantry Companies of the 75th Infantry Regiment were active in Vietnam from February 1, 1969 until August 15, 1972. Very tough patrolling actions were had and as was hard fighting when Recon missions were compromised. These years found the modern day concepts of anicent combat skills in reconnassiance operations the Rangers had become renowned for. Long Range Reconnassiance Patrols (LRRP) or 'Lurps' were and continue to be a major role which is placed upon the Ranger Regiment. Becoming a Ranger during this period consisted of going on active combat duty with their assigned Company. Subject to the acceptance of the Rangers in their unit they would be passed. Former NVA / Viet Cong fighters were employed as "Kit Carson" scouts within the Rangers units against their former units. The core infantry skills of the Ranger were well tested and utilised against a very cunning and determined enemy. The Rangers served with distinction and professionalism throughout their time in Vietnam.
Recondo
Recondo or Reconnaissance Commando come about from the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) and 5th Special Forces Group in Nha Trang, Vietnam. Although not strictly Ranger Recondo was an important aspect of Ranger progression and its modern history. As such it should be touched on. Raiding and ambushing as well as specific reconnaissance techniques were taught to a very high standard at Recondo School, enabling the Rangers, and other specialist infantry units to take on the highly skilled enemy at his own game. Eventually MACV took on the full responsibility of this training. Recon, airborne operations, escape and evasion and survival was all an integral part of this valuable course, which has now gone down in the history of US special operations. There was a greater than 50% attrition rate on the three week course, but those that remained were to be some of the best US forces to fight in the harshest conditions Vietnam could offer. The Recondo school closed on the last day of 1970.
Recent Times
LRSU
The LRRP term is associated with the Vietnam era, and eventually Long Range Patrol was used until, during the Gulf War of 1990/91, Long Range Surveillance Units (LRSU) is in use today. The LRSU came about as a result of units lacking in the area of Reconnaissance post Vietnam, after so many of the qualified and experienced units in this essential area of warfare had been disbanded. Unlike the Rangers, LRSU are a strickly intelligence gathering unit not designed for offensive operations.
Other Ranger missions included Grenada in 1983, where they performed a dangerous low-level combat drop on the airfield at Port Salines, Operation Just Cause saw Rangers deployment to Panama. For two months in 1993 B company 3rd Ranger Battalion deployed in Somalia in assistance of the UN. several missions that the Rangers were involved in were aimed at the capture of Mohammed Aidid. The mission included members of Delta Force. The operation in the Somali capital of Mogadishu resulted in a 17 hour firefight which ended with the deaths of 18 US personnel and 84 wounded. Most recently the Rangers have been deployed to Afghanistan.
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Equipment
US Army Rangers are equipped along the same lines as the rest of the Army in the United States but some operational requirements may change this. Typical additional equipment includes; explosive charges for demolition work, signals sets for long range communications and night vision devices. Silenced weapons may be used for sentry elimination.
M16A2
The M16A2 comes from a long line of rifles and is currently the standard issue Assault Rifle of the US military. It is a substantial improvement on previous models. One feature which has upset some users is the 3 round burst feature rather than fully automatic fire, intended to conserve ammunition expenditure. A much improved heavier barrel is fitted and strong zetyl furniture allows for harsh soldiering environments. Another elite force using this weapon is the British 5th Airborne Brigade Pathfinders who use the M16 rather than the standard issue SA80, which has some reliability issues. The Colt Delta is a light sniper variant of the M16A2. The M16A3 model departs from the well known and distinguishable sight / handle arrangement and provides a universal mounting platform for more flexible attachments. This also makes it easier to customise the operator's weapon for specific operations.
M4 Carbine
Shorter and handier than the M16 the M4 has a place in urban combat or jungle environments where the shorter barrel is also no handicap. Today's modern battlefield encounters, perhaps outside of desert engagements, typically do not find the soldier unduly restricted when armed with a carbine weapon of this nature. The M4 is also useful in the hands of vehicle crews or those on support weapons, where the operator is more concerned with positional self-defence. The M4A1 has the added feature of an automatic trigger group. Various sighting devices can be utilised and the M203 Grenade Launcher can also be fitted for additional firepower as required. The Ranger Regiment also uses the Model 733 Colt Commando, which is even shorter than the M4 Carbine. It is shown below.
M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW)
Known in other services' as the Minimi or C9 this Light Machinegun, designed in Belgium is used by many forces around the world. Using the same small round as the M16 makes for good logistic sense and also other than the standard belt (held in a plastic box) of 200 rounds the weapon also excepts M16 magazines. A gunner may carry a few such magazines for an emergency. With a range of 600 metres and capable of sustained fire rates the M249 is a good accurate weapon for the modern battlefield.
M203 Grenade Launcher
The M203 is a single shot pump action 40mm Grenade Launcher which fits under the barrel of an M16 Assault Rifle or the shorter M4 carbine. It allows the operator to fire a assortment of different ammunition including smoke, high explosive or even buck shot. The new Product Improved (PI) M203 allows the launcher to be operated safely detached from the rifle using a pistol grip. The M203 supplies a small Recon force with substantial firepower when required for tactical application or when under operational compromise.
Ranger Anti-armour Weapons System (RAWS)
This weapon is a recoilless rifle designed for light anti-armour work and bunker busting. Based of the Swedish Carl Gustav 84mm medium Anti-tank Rocket Launcher, a total of 16 RAWS are issued to a Ranger Company (152 men). This weapon packs substantially more punch than the 66mm single shot Light Anti-armour Weapon (LAW) but is considerably heavier. It gives the Rangers the firepower they require as a Light Infantry unit to deal with most threats they will face.
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Training
Ranger training takes place at Fort Benning, which is in the state of Georgia on the East Coast of the United States, which is home to the 3rd Battalion. 1st Battalion is at Hunter Army Airfield Georgia while 2nd battalion is based at Fort Lewis, Washington. There are also Ranger Training Battalions (RTB). These are as follows providing providing the given elements of the Ranger course;
- 4th RTB Fort Benning, Georgia (21 days)
- 5th RTB Dahlonega, Georgia - mountain phase (21 days)
- 6th RTB Eglin AFB in Florida - jungle phase (17 days)
Approximately only 30-40% of those that start the course pass. As they train recruits are constantly rotated into the role of unit leader to take control of their patrols. As such responsibility for your fellow soldier is enforced, map reading and communications and tactical co-ordination must be mastered under very stressful conditions. Even those that do not pass completely the course or do not remain with the Rangers return to their units as enhanced small unit leaders and can pass on valuable skills and experience. Training is hard, realistic with many live-firing exercises and there is little formal classroom academics involved. The Ranger must be able to operate as a member of a small tactical team in all environments and be able to lead that unit where necessary regardless of rank. There are various phases which a recruit must get through in order to pass. Candidates come from all over the world to try their hand at the elite infantry course. Sleep depredation is one major challenge for participants to contend with.
The Ranger Course is 61 days long with an average of 19.6 hours training each day, seven days a week. Realistic combat stresses are simulated constantly; lack of sleep, food and unexpected enemy contacts, and moving through arduous terrain under these conditions while trying to read a map and co-ordinate effectively a counter-attack or other battle drills. Physical endurance and combat skills are taught in the first phase to ensure that the candidate has the required skills to continue on into the next phase. Plenty of running, obstacle courses and swimming is to be had. In addition demolitions work, communications and tactical lessons must be learned thoroughly in addition to the expected airborne / air assault skills. This allows the qualified Ranger to work in an operational environment while undertaking reconnaissance and raid type missions.
The basic skills of mountaineering are taught during a 5 day introductory course as well as combat in the inhospitable conditions of mountain warfare. At Yonah Mountain there is a two day exercise to test the skills of rope work learned. An eight day Field Training Exercise (FTX) is held to test all the skills learnt thus far. Day and night raids and movements against a conventionally armed force requiring climbing and waterborne skills to be utilised to get to the objective.
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Comments
The third phase continues the emphasis on small unit tactics and includes river crossing techniques, ambushes and raids on a highly trained and well equipped Opposition Force in a 12 day long FTX in jungle / swamp terrain's. Survival skills and boat handling is covered. Ongoing evaluation occurs and the stress and realism does not let up which is both mentally and physically taxing on participants. On successful completion of the Ranger Course the Ranger Tab can be worn.
I would have to say that interest in the US Army Rangers, above all others in the US military is their history and their excellence in the role of core Infantry skills; reconnaissance, patrolling, field craft and so forth. It is often said that Rangers are Special Forces. This is not correct. In some countries an equally skilled soldier might be considered so, but they are more correctly referred to as the Elite of the Infantry. They are charged with specialist Infantry tasks such as sniping and reconnaissance but this does not make a force come under the banner of "Special Forces". As such I believe the term is often too loosely used. Opinions on such matters do vary.
There are many and varied forces around the globe who carry the name Ranger and that has also included those of my own country of New Zealand. Here the Regular Force has a unit charged with Assault Pioneer work including booby trapping, mine warfare and river-crossing work. The Territorial Force also has a Assault Pioneer unit trained for similar operations, or though it is my understanding that this unit has been relagated to the non-specialist infantry role in recent years. The Special Air Service also had a unit designated "Taranaki Rangers" early on in their history in remembrance of their forefathers whom fought guerrilla warfare during the colonial days.
Recently some members of the US Army have shown a desire to adopt the Ranger Black Beret as general issue. This debate has been going for sometime. See the Link below, Earned, not Issued, the Black Beret for more details.
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Other Ranger Units
Flygbasjägarna Swedish Air Force Rangers
This elite force is charged with hunting down enemy Special Forces teams who would threaten their Air Force bases. This includes the use of dogs. Long range reconnaissance work over very large and difficult areas of terrain is the main tasking of this force.
Fallskärmsjägarna Swedish Airborne Rangers
These troops are trained for operations behind enemy lines for the purposes of reconnaissance and for offensive covert work such as demolitions of critical assets. Only volunteers are taken for this course which lasts 15 months, slightly longer for squad leaders. Trained for all kinds of environments and long periods of solitary operation in five man teams the Airborne Rangers of Sweden are highly skilled professionals.
Jaegerkorps Ranger Corps
This Danish force was founded in 1961 using the US Army Rangers and British Special Air Service as major influences. Danish Army Officers were sent to train with both the aforementioned in order to gain the required training and experience basis with which to form the new proposed force. Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols fit a large part of the Jaegerkorps role and they are also responsible for Anti-terrorist operations. The Danish force works closely with SAS and some of their number have managed to finish first place in Ranger School.
Sciathan Fhiannoglaigh an Airm - The Irish Defence Forces Army Ranger Wing
The IDF elite come in the form of the Army Ranger Wing. Advanced navigation is vital to the ARW units and each member must be very capable in this area traversing very rough terrain. A seven week sniper course is open for those who show potential in this arena. Almost half the ARW are qualified snipers. Combat divers are available for operations where their specialist skills are required and there is also advanced medical training which is integral to the Irish Rangers. A platoon of the Irish Rangers served in East Timor along side Australian and New Zealand Defence forces, and Gurka Rifles during INTERFET (International Force East Timor). As such, they were part of the most successful operation in UN history.
Links
Earned, not Issued, the Black Beret
Dedicated to The Brotherhood of Rangers
Tarrackin's Home Scroll
http://juni0r.orcon.net.nz
Copyright © Leon T. Harrison 1996-2007. All Rights Reserved
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