Posted on Nov 12, 2015
‘Elite’ military units: Army Rangers. I just read a soldier didn't have to go to Ranger School to be a Ranger. Is that true?
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This is from this article written by an Ex-Ranger. Some of the things he has written are confusing to me. Yesterday at our Veterans Day lunch I met a guy, wearing a leather vest with all of the Ranger tabs and the pins and buttons associated with the 75th Rangers. He said he was a LRRP, and got assigned to a Ranger unit, but never went to Ranger school. He said it was more like OJT. He didn't have Jump Wings. He did have the three medals a Vietnam veteran received, plus an Air Medal, but said he rarely flew in a helicopter, and when he did it was an H-13 scout helicopter.
For all of you Rangers out there, I'm asking if this guy could be for real or is an embellisher. He had a book written by a "friend" about his tour with the Rangers. It was inscribed to this guy and he showed us a page in the book, with, he says is his picture. lt was black and white, and faded. The guy he showed us was supposed to be him, didn't look anything like him. He talked a lot about his tour. He said their AO was in AnKhe. I got suspicious when he didn't answer some questions I asked about AnKhe. I hope I'm wrong. He seemed like a nice guy.
From the authors article:
Some who did serve in Ranger units never attended Ranger School and some who graduated from Ranger School, like me, never served in a Ranger unit. Ranger School graduation is not a prerequisite for serving in a Ranger unit, but it is a prerequisite for serving in a leadership position in a Ranger unit.
The Link:
http://johntreed.com/blogs/john-t-reed-s-blog-about-military-matters/65802307-elite-military-units-army-rangers
For all of you Rangers out there, I'm asking if this guy could be for real or is an embellisher. He had a book written by a "friend" about his tour with the Rangers. It was inscribed to this guy and he showed us a page in the book, with, he says is his picture. lt was black and white, and faded. The guy he showed us was supposed to be him, didn't look anything like him. He talked a lot about his tour. He said their AO was in AnKhe. I got suspicious when he didn't answer some questions I asked about AnKhe. I hope I'm wrong. He seemed like a nice guy.
From the authors article:
Some who did serve in Ranger units never attended Ranger School and some who graduated from Ranger School, like me, never served in a Ranger unit. Ranger School graduation is not a prerequisite for serving in a Ranger unit, but it is a prerequisite for serving in a leadership position in a Ranger unit.
The Link:
http://johntreed.com/blogs/john-t-reed-s-blog-about-military-matters/65802307-elite-military-units-army-rangers
Vietnam War
Camp Radcliff
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 38
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I know a few people who have been part of one of the Ranger battalions and deployed with them (authorize to wear their SSI-FWTS "Ranger Scroll") and never attended Ranger school. Ranger school does not make one a Ranger - it just makes that individual Ranger qualified. Going through RASP makes you a Ranger.
Regarding the actual line units in Ranger BNs - I would imagine if you want to stay in a line unit, you will have to go to Ranger school, get your tab and report back, in order to stay within regiment.
Along similar line of thought, I know people in SFOD-D who aren't long tabbers (Special Forces) - which it seems most people assume all SFOD-D personnel are prior SF.
Regarding the actual line units in Ranger BNs - I would imagine if you want to stay in a line unit, you will have to go to Ranger school, get your tab and report back, in order to stay within regiment.
Along similar line of thought, I know people in SFOD-D who aren't long tabbers (Special Forces) - which it seems most people assume all SFOD-D personnel are prior SF.
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LTC (Join to see)
"•The 75th Ranger Regiment does require that its leaders attend the U.S. Army Ranger School; however, it is not a pre-requisite to join the Ranger Regiment in all instances. All Infantry and Artillery Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) must complete the course before they assume a leadership role in the Regiment. The remainder of the MOS's in the Regiment send their leaders when they are ready."
-Straight from 75th's recruiting page.
-Straight from 75th's recruiting page.
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SGT (Join to see)
Thank you LTC (Join to see), for your reply. I'll know more when I get his name and picture.
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LTC (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see) - That should help, there's a few Vietnam era Rangers in the Fort Benning area that I'm sure would love to confirm or deny this guy's existence within their brotherhood.
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Not sure....even Pres. Bush thinks this isn't true. Wonder what Sergeant Major thinks?
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SSG Warren Swan
MSG (Join to see) - At least he could make the tie straight...I mean sheesh. The rest of his uniform looks "correct". He even made Drill Sergeant Backbone wonder WTF is going on......
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kinda maybe sounds like the difference between a member of the 82d and a 5-jump-chump??
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CSM Michael Chavaree
Someone that has only completed the 5 jumps required to graduate Basic Airborne Course vs. a paratrooper assigned to an Airborne unit.
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My uncle was in a LRRP unit in Vietnam. Halfway through his tour they reflagged to a Ranger Company. There was one company for each Division, I think he was in 4th ID's Ranger Company. He went to an in-country Recondo school that culminated with live patrols. He said when they reflagged morale went through the roof and the kills doubled.
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LTC Jason Mackay
(2) Any person who was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge while serving during World War II as a member of a Ranger Battalion (1st-6th inclusive) or in the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional) (Merrill's Marauders).
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LTC Jason Mackay
This is one of the most popular books on the subject (non-fiction). http://www.amazon.com/Charlie-Rangers-Don-Ericson/dp/ [login to see]
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LTC Jason Mackay
Fiction, by an officer in Charlie Rangers. http://www.amazon.com/Charlie-Mike-Leonard-B-Scott/dp/ [login to see] /ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid= [login to see] &sr=1-2&keywords=charlie+mike
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SGT Bryce Mahoney
The tab is a school. The scroll is a way of life. I'm a tabless Ranger. Batt boy for life.
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History of LRRP in Vietnam many of them wen to the school in Vietnam for LRRP but they were not designated as Rangers until y1969 so prior to that whey were LRRPs not rangers. Rangers were again called to serve their country during the Vietnam War. The 75th Infantry was reorganized once more, Jan. 1, 1969, as a parent regiment under the Combat Arms Regimental System. Fifteen separate Ranger companies were formed from this reorganization. Thirteen served proudly in Vietnam until inactivation, Aug. 15, 1972.
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You can be assigned to a Ranger regiment without having gone to Ranger school but for those looking to make a career in the regiment you can't move up until you receive the tab.
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SGT (Join to see)
CPT Ahmed Faried, I think maybe this guy put himself through Ranger school. Hope I'm wrong.
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"Dad" Reddeman (he was older(not much) and I was young) 1st tour in Vietnam was with 101st, 2d tour was with Rangers(he was just assigned there) no school. after break in service re-up, attempted Ranger school but was medicalled
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This article sounds like this guy is kind of a douche and also doesn't understand anything about Rangers or Ranger School. The school is a leadership school. Period. They use antiquated techniques like walking through the woods to assess your leadership ability. It still works. It's still hard.
He also doesn't seem to understand the term "elite". There are twice as many SEALS as Rangers; the Regiment is essentially three battalions and a support battalion. That makes them about the 0.3% of the Army.
As for the tab of the guy you mentioned, I would venture to guess it's actually a scroll which is the unit insignia as opposed to the the tab that is awarded at the school graduation. Both say Ranger on them. If he does have a black and gold tab, you can always call the S3 section of Ranger School and request a Tab Check and they will tell you if he ever earned a Ranger Tab.
He also doesn't seem to understand the term "elite". There are twice as many SEALS as Rangers; the Regiment is essentially three battalions and a support battalion. That makes them about the 0.3% of the Army.
As for the tab of the guy you mentioned, I would venture to guess it's actually a scroll which is the unit insignia as opposed to the the tab that is awarded at the school graduation. Both say Ranger on them. If he does have a black and gold tab, you can always call the S3 section of Ranger School and request a Tab Check and they will tell you if he ever earned a Ranger Tab.
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My friend sent me this about him. I asked him to send me a picture, but if you are on FB, he is too. I'm not.
RAY ALLEN was the Ranger. He is on face book
RAY ALLEN was the Ranger. He is on face book
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