Army Rangers Fighting Edge
Whether jumping in, or patrolling and scouting—Rangers lead the way!
The US Army Rangers is the oldest special operations force in the United States military, dating to before the American Revolution. Rogers Rangers, the forerunner of today’s Rangers, were an elite light infantry unit during the French and Indian Wars. Other units have borne the title “Rangers” over the last 250 years including Mosby’s Rangers during the Civil War and the World War II Rangers. Today’s 75th Ranger Regiment dates to 1974 when the 1st and 2nd Ranger Battalions were reactivated.
Ranger Battalions
After the invasion of Grenada in 1983, Operation Urgent Fury, where the Rangers parachuted in to secure an airfield, the 3rd Ranger Battalion and the Regimental Headquarters were formed. Today’s 75th Ranger Regiment is part of USSOCOM (United States Special Operations Command). The unit is headquartered at Fort Benning, Georgia, “The Home of the Infantry.” The battalions are based as follows: 1st Battalion, 75th Rangers—Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia; 2nd Battalion, 75th Rangers – Fort Lewis, Washington; 3rd Battalion, 75th Rangers—Fort Benning, Georgia.
Each of the three Ranger Battalions consists of three rifle companies and a headquarters and headquarter’s company. Authorized battalion strength is 580 but Ranger Battalions are normally 10 to 15 percent over strength to compensate for personnel who are undergoing specialized training or on special assignments. Each rifle company has an authorized strength of 152 Rangers.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
I guess we can sort of all agree that BOTH the Navy SEALS and the Rangers are kickass, yet lets not forget the est, especially Marine Force Recon which are about as bad as they get, US Green Berets, Delta and last but not least, British SAS and SBS. Cheers!
October 17th, 2009 at 11:41 pm
Anyone who questions the most elite spec ops in the world.. SEALs… are undereducated. We get the job done. Humor is great for the soul. Thanks for the laugh.
September 3rd, 2009 at 2:17 am
Wow badmac. Way to show your true colors. Yay for seals, woah way to secure iraq buddy. I was stating my weapons of choice in the civilian world and you come parading your seal crap. By the way US Army Special Foces has been on the ground training locals and oppositions to ease the insertion of any force weeks if not months before a seal even knows what’s going on. I’ll take a Ranger or Spec. For. over a seal any day of the week. So what if you can be in cold water for hours at a time. We’re busy fighting while you’re busy swimming
August 1st, 2009 at 6:04 pm
badmac read not a good day to die read up on what happened on padilla airfield in panama city panama during op just cause 1989 but lone survivor would be a good ref too historially not egotistically speaking every time naval special warfare steps on their pissflaps its one of the bn.s from rgt. that bails them out or rescues them not the other way around seal pup that is all R.L.T.W.!!!!
July 31st, 2009 at 10:39 am
The Rangers lead the way AFTER the Navy SEALs have neutralized the threat and secured the area!
July 17th, 2009 at 3:41 am
Rangers DO Lead the Way. Thanks for a great article. I love your magazine. I have 3 of my favorite issues in my go bag at any given moment. Fully capable Colt M-4 Glock 21 12ga Mossberg 500 and Springfield M1A SOCOM II Fully Tact out is my weapons of choice and I’m always ready. Fitted with Blackhawk gear for rugged environments and 5-11 for urban or casual defense. I’m always ready. RANGERS LEAD The WAY! Hooah!!!