Rangers On The Frontline: The Presence Of Elite Forces In Afghanistan's Complex Battlefield

The 75th Ranger Regiment is an elite airborne light infantry combat formation within the United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC). The Regiment consists of five battalions stationed at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington; and Fort Benning, Georgia. The Regiment has been deployed in Afghanistan since 2001 and has been involved in numerous operations, including Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Rhino. The Rangers have also been credited with spearheading the initial ground invasion of Afghanistan and providing direct action raiding forces in the country for years.

The 75th Ranger Regiment's history

The 75th Ranger Regiment is a lethal, agile, and flexible force, capable of executing complex, joint special operations missions. It is the US military's premier direct-action and light infantry special operations unit.

The history of the 75th Ranger Regiment dates back to the French and Indian War, when Robert Rogers recruited nine Ranger companies to fight against the French and their Native American allies. These companies were known as "Rogers' Rangers" and made long-range attacks against the French forces.

During the American Revolutionary War, Rogers' former Rangers served on both sides of the conflict. One, John Stark, commanded the 1st New Hampshire Regiment, which gained fame at the Battles of Bunker Hill and Bennington.

In 1775, the Continental Congress formed eight companies of expert riflemen to fight in the Revolutionary War. In 1777, this force was known as The Corps of Rangers and was commanded by Daniel Morgan. Another famous Revolutionary War Ranger element was "Marion's Partisans", organized by Francis Marion, also known as "The Swamp Fox".

After the Civil War, more than half a century passed without Ranger units in the United States.

During World War II, the US activated Ranger infantry battalions, overseen by William O. Darby, who became known as the founder of the modern Rangers. The 1st Ranger Battalion was formed in 1942 and was soon followed by the 3rd and 4th Ranger Battalions. These battalions were instrumental in capturing Fort Detroit and participated in the Tunisian campaign.

The 75th Ranger Regiment was also involved in the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the War in Afghanistan, and the War in Iraq.

Today, the 75th Ranger Regiment consists of five battalions: the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Ranger Battalions, the Regimental Special Troops Battalion, and the Regimental Military Intelligence Battalion. The Regiment is headquartered at Fort Moore, Georgia, and its members are required to pass the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program (RASP) to serve in the unit.

The 75th Ranger Regiment's battalions

The 75th Ranger Regiment is an elite airborne light infantry combat formation within the United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC). The Regiment is headquartered at Fort Moore, Georgia, and is composed of a regimental headquarters company, a military intelligence battalion, a special troops battalion, and three Ranger battalions. The Regiment is the U.S. Army's largest, joint special operations force.

The three Ranger battalions are:

• 1st Ranger Battalion, Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia
• 2nd Ranger Battalion, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington
• 3rd Ranger Battalion, Fort Benning, Georgia

The 1st Ranger Battalion was the first battalion-level Ranger unit since World War II and was officially activated in January 1974 at Fort Benning, Georgia. The 2nd Battalion was activated eight months later, in September 1974, and made its home in Fort Lewis, Washington. The 3rd Battalion was ordered to be activated following the successful use of Ranger Battalions in Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada and was officially activated in October 1984.

The 75th Ranger Regiment's training

The 75th Ranger Regiment is a highly specialised and well-trained unit of the US Army. The regiment is headquartered at Fort Moore, Georgia, and consists of three battalions, each with its own unique lineage, stationed at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington; and Fort Benning, Georgia, respectively.

The regiment's training is rigorous and designed to forge soldiers capable of enduring extreme physical and mental challenges while executing precise and decisive actions in high-stakes situations. The training focuses on the "Big Five": marksmanship, physical training, medical training, small-unit tactics, and mobility.

The first step in the training process is the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program (RASP), which has two versions: RASP 1 for junior non-commissioned officers and enlisted soldiers (pay grades E-1 through E-5), and RASP 2 for senior non-commissioned officers, officers, and warrant officers. RASP includes training in physical fitness, marksmanship, small unit tactics, medical proficiency, and mobility. Training is intense and fast-paced, ensuring Ranger candidates can handle the continued training and worldwide operations upon reaching their assigned Ranger unit.

For new soldiers, RASP is conducted after applicants complete their basic Military Occupational Specialty course and graduate from the Army's Parachutists Course (Airborne School). For soldiers who have completed their first tour of duty, RASP will be scheduled upon application and conditional acceptance to the 75th Ranger Regiment.

RASP 1 is an eight-week selection course that tests physical and mental endurance, road marches with rucksacks, land navigation, leadership skills, and weapons training. The course is divided into two phases: Phase 1 focuses on critical events and skill level 1 tasks, while Phase 2 focuses on marksmanship, breaching, mobility, and physical fitness.

RASP 2 is a 21-day selection course that tests the physical and mental capabilities of senior non-commissioned officers, officers, and warrant officers, as well as teaches them the special tactics, techniques, and procedures of the Regiment.

To maintain readiness, Rangers train constantly, focusing on the "Big Five". Rangers may also attend various military schools, including Jumpmaster, Sniper, Pathfinder, Military Freefall, Scuba, Survival-Evasion-Resistance-Escape (SERE), and Special Operations Combat Medic, among others.

Rangers are also trained in "do-it-yourself" emergency medicine, based on the premise that most deaths from wounds occur before reaching medical facilities. This training has proven effective, with a 3% death rate from potentially survivable causes in the 75th Regiment between October 2001 and April 2010, compared to a 24% rate in a set of US military deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan.

As a special operations unit, the Rangers maintain more stringent standards for their personnel. If a Ranger fails to meet these standards, they may be removed from the regiment through a process known as "Released For Standards" (RFS).

The 75th Ranger Regiment's weaponry

The 75th Ranger Regiment is a light infantry unit and special operations force within the United States Army Special Operations Command. The regiment is headquartered at Fort Benning, Georgia, and is composed of a headquarters company, a military intelligence battalion, a special troops battalion, and three Ranger battalions.

The weaponry used by the 75th Ranger Regiment includes:

Carbines/Assault Rifles

• M4A1 - 5.56 x 45mm carbine
• MK 16 SCAR-L - a newly fielded 5.56 x 45mm carbine/rifle
• MK 17 SCAR-H - a newly fielded 7.62 x 51mm carbine/rifle
• Mk 46 - a variant of the M249 SAW machine gun designed for special ops units
• Mk 48 - a scaled-up version of the Mk46 in 7.62 x 51mm

Machine Guns

• M240 - 7.62 x 51mm belt-fed machine gun
• M2 - a heavy machine gun typically mounted on GMV-R vehicles

Pistols

• M9 Beretta - standard-issue US Army 9mm pistol
• Glock 19 - compact 9mm pistol

Sniper Rifles

• MK12 Mod 1 SPR - a 5.56 x 45mm semi-automatic sniper rifle
• MK11 Mod 0 - a 7.26 x 51mm semi-automatic sniper rifle carried by Ranger marksmen
• M24 SWS - a bolt-action 7.62 x 51mm sniper rifle
• M107 - extreme long-range anti-material rifle firing .50BMG rounds

Missile/Rocket Launchers

Ranger Antitank Weapons System (RAWS)

Other

• M203 grenade launcher
• M3 Carl Gustaf recoilless rifle

The 75th Ranger Regiment's operations

The 75th Ranger Regiment is a lethal, agile, and flexible force, capable of executing complex, joint special operations missions. It is the US military's premier direct-action and light infantry special operations unit.

The 75th Ranger Regiment is headquartered at Fort Moore, Georgia, and is composed of a regimental headquarters company, a military intelligence battalion, a special troops battalion, and three Ranger battalions. Each of the four geographically dispersed Ranger battalions is always combat-ready, mentally and physically tough, and prepared to fight the War on Terror.

The 75th Ranger Regiment's capabilities include:

• Air assault and direct action raids
• Seizing key terrain such as airfields
• Destroying strategic facilities
• Capturing or killing enemies of the nation
• Special reconnaissance
• Personnel recovery
• Clandestine insertion
• Site exploitation

The Regiment remains an all-volunteer force with an intensive screening and selection process followed by combat-focused training. The 75th Ranger Regiment is a proud unit and a team of teams serving the nation.

Frequently asked questions