The 75th Ranger Regiment, or Army Rangers, represents the pinnacle of light infantry within the United States Army. If you’ve ever wondered, “What do Army Rangers do?” their mission is straightforward yet demanding: to conduct direct-action raids. Army Rangers execute these raids to swiftly infiltrate and neutralize high-value targets, often as the first boots on the ground in critical situations.
Table of Contents:
Understanding the Rangers
Part of the elite U.S. Army Special Operations Command, the 75th Ranger Regiment has a long and storied history, tracing back to units formed before the American Revolutionary War. The modern iteration of the regiment came into existence in 1974 and has since been involved in every major conflict involving the United States. Rangers specialize in high-risk, fast-paced operations that demand precision, speed, and unwavering courage.
Elite Selection and Training
To understand what Army Rangers do, it’s critical to grasp the intense selection and training they undergo. Gaining entry into this esteemed regiment is no simple feat. Aspirants must first navigate the incredibly challenging Ranger Assessment and Selection Program (RASP), a crucible designed to push soldiers to their physical and mental limits.
The program consists of two phases:
- RASP 1: Typically for lower-ranking soldiers, this eight-week course focuses on essential combat skills like marksmanship, medical response, and small unit tactics. The course culminates in a graduation ceremony where new Rangers proudly don their tan berets. After graduating, recruits undergo rigorous airborne training at Fort Benning, further honing their ability to infiltrate behind enemy lines.
- RASP 2: Geared toward higher-ranking soldiers and officers, this demanding three-week program delves into advanced tactics, demanding physical challenges, and specialized skills like fast rope insertion and extraction. Completion signifies readiness to take on leadership roles within the regiment.
While RASP focuses on the fundamental skills necessary for service, Ranger School represents an entirely separate challenge. This grueling 61-day course puts soldiers from various military branches through harsh environmental conditions, sleep deprivation, and rigorous combat scenarios. The course demands adaptability, leadership, and the ability to function effectively under immense pressure.
Notably, although joining the Ranger Regiment is not mandatory, attending and graduating from Ranger School is mandatory for those aiming to climb the leadership ranks.
Special Operations Raids
One of the defining answers to “What do Army Rangers do?” is their expertise in conducting special operations raids. These lightning-fast missions aim to seize enemy resources, destroy critical infrastructure, or capture high-value individuals before disappearing into the shadows. Surprise forms the cornerstone of their strategy to ensure minimal casualties and mission success.
Here’s how such a raid typically unfolds:
- Infiltration: Rangers silently penetrate enemy territory using air, land, or sea. Depending on the situation, they might parachute from high altitudes, maneuver stealthily on foot, or employ combat diving techniques.
- Target Isolation and Assault: Once near the objective, teams establish a secure perimeter, cutting off any escape routes and ensuring the enemy remains unaware until the last moment. Then, with overwhelming force and precision, they execute a swift and decisive assault, capturing or neutralizing the target.
- Exfiltration: Their objective was secured, and the Rangers prioritized a clean and rapid withdrawal, utilizing the same stealth and tactical prowess employed during their entry. The ultimate goal is to complete the mission with minimal friendly and civilian casualties.
These raids showcase the specialized skills and precision that make Army Rangers a potent force. They often operate alongside other special operations units like Delta Force or SEAL Team Six. Their ability to plan and execute these complex missions highlights their tactical flexibility and ability to adapt to threats on a global scale.
Forcible Entry Operations
Another key aspect of “What do Army Rangers do?” involves mastering forcible entry operations. These highly specialized operations typically center around seizing control of key infrastructure, with airfields representing prime targets.
Here’s why securing these locations is paramount in military strategy:
- Rapid Deployment of Forces: Airfields serve as vital gateways, facilitating the rapid deployment of troops and heavy equipment into contested regions. Gaining control of these hubs is crucial for establishing a robust military presence in strategic locations.
- Disrupting Enemy Operations: Denying enemy forces access to these airfields severely restricts their ability to resupply, reinforce, or evacuate their troops. Such strategic control can significantly disrupt their operations, tilting the balance of power.
- Humanitarian Aid and Evacuation: During crises, securing an airfield often allows vital humanitarian aid to reach affected areas and creates a secure route for evacuating civilians caught in conflict zones.
These types of operations involve extensive coordination with various military branches, leveraging air support, artillery, and ground troops to ensure success. They also often involve staff sergeants, warrant officers, and non-commissioned officers overseeing various parts of the mission.
Special Reconnaissance: Behind Enemy Lines
Special survey is a cornerstone for understanding what army rangers do in the modern battlefield. These stealth missions involve venturing deep behind enemy lines and gathering vital intelligence that guides strategic decision-making at the highest levels. These missions require Rangers to complete a 12-mile ruck march with equipment and weapons, and land navigation skills are essential. But it’s not simply about observation: Rangers conduct these operations in highly hostile environments, often relying on camouflage and specialized training to avoid detection. The success of future missions depends heavily on their ability to remain undetected.
The information gathered can be surprisingly diverse, including:
- Enemy Troop Strength and Movements: This critical information helps commanders understand enemy forces’ size, capabilities, and intentions in a specific area. It’s the lifeblood of planning effective offensives or defensive maneuvers.
- Location and Type of Enemy Weapon Systems: This intel goes beyond numbers, identifying where the enemy positions its tanks, artillery, and other weaponry. This proves critical for planning targeted strikes while minimizing collateral damage.
- Infrastructure Assessment: Knowing the layout and weaknesses of enemy infrastructure, such as bridges, bunkers, or communication networks, becomes incredibly valuable when launching offensives.
- Local Terrain Analysis: Understanding the nuances of the terrain—vegetation density, elevation changes, water sources—can be crucial for planning covert movement routes and choosing strategic positions.
The risks involved in this work are immense. Unlike conventional forces that engage in direct combat, special reconnaissance often involves days, if not weeks, of stealthy operation, surviving with minimal equipment. The information they gather directly shapes battlefield strategy, saving countless lives. Rangers are continuously deployed all over the world in support of the global war on terrorism.