7
7
0
There have been many spirited debates on the internet, in clubs, and elsewhere on exactly who is and is not a Ranger, and the debate comes down to two issues Tab or Scroll. I have read some pretty scathing comments from Scroll wearers about how they are the only ones worthy of the title Ranger. By Leonard Benton
http://rhinoden.rangerup.com/tab-or-scroll-what-makes-a-ranger/
http://rhinoden.rangerup.com/tab-or-scroll-what-makes-a-ranger/
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 24
For me you have to have served in Regiment to call yourself a Ranger. Just like you have to go through the "Q" course to become Special Forces and BUDs to become a SEAL and Green Platoon to be a Night stalker. Now yes there are "V" and "Q" sqi that are coded as "Ranger" however to receive the "U" sqi you have to be in the 75th Ranger Regiment, the only Ranger unit in the military.
Now I'm saying this having served in the regular army and Ranger Regiment. Becoming Ranger qualified was one of my proudest moments in my career and all the guys in my squad SF, paratroops and legs will always be my Ranger buddies.
Now I'm saying this having served in the regular army and Ranger Regiment. Becoming Ranger qualified was one of my proudest moments in my career and all the guys in my squad SF, paratroops and legs will always be my Ranger buddies.
(4)
(0)
Some in the battalion would say you need both. You can be in Rangers without tab then go to school and you can go to the school without ever going to the battalion.
(4)
(0)
I know this discussion is rather old, but I'll chime in anyway. The title of "Ranger" is EARNED in two different ways. 1) Be a graduate of the Army Ranger School or 2) Be a member of the 75th Ranger Regiment as a graduate of their assessment and selection courses. Men (and now women) who walk around arguing about what constitutes a Ranger seem to come off as petty and not worthy of HOLDING the title of Ranger in my eyes.
If I had did a stint in Ranger Batt and bumped into a tabbed Soldier that never served in Batt, I would treat him with respect and call him/her RANGER. There is no such thing as a "Real Ranger", either you served in Batt or you graduated the course, nothing else matters or needs to be discussed. That's the problem with today's Army, we got too many folks caring too much about tabs, scrolls, and badges. I understand how hard it was to complete Ranger School, but in the grand scheme of things, it ain't much of a big deal because there are plenty of leaders that can effectively get the job done and lead troops in battle without it.
As far as serving in Ranger Batt, just another unit with high standards and pride. They are part of the special operations community and have a great combat record, but once again, not the only ones that kick in doors and shoot bad guys in the face. Plenty of other infantry units out there with plenty of kills and troops with valor awards without a Ranger tab or a tabbed leader in many cases. One's career is filled with what I call "Snapshots" and that's where individuals have experienced things in their career that matters to them or looks good on paper. All the Rangers I've met are NOT bulletproof. They CAN'T fly. They CAN'T detect IED's by smell. They CAN'T stop time. They CAN'T bring a fallen comrade back to life after they have already been declared dead. No, they are simply Soldiers that completed a very challenging course or served in a unit with a high operational tempo, that's about it.
Combat experience is the true measuring stick, not schools and tabs. Rangers make mistakes like anyone else and let us not forget that they killed Pat Tillman and lied about it. I'm all for taking pride in one's accomplishments and love of unit, but let's get real here, if you've been in long enough, you would have served in a number of units with some pretty badass history behind it. We need folks to humble themselves more and just be professional. Totally ridiculous to make a big deal about being a Ranger when the damn Army has already defined it.
If I had did a stint in Ranger Batt and bumped into a tabbed Soldier that never served in Batt, I would treat him with respect and call him/her RANGER. There is no such thing as a "Real Ranger", either you served in Batt or you graduated the course, nothing else matters or needs to be discussed. That's the problem with today's Army, we got too many folks caring too much about tabs, scrolls, and badges. I understand how hard it was to complete Ranger School, but in the grand scheme of things, it ain't much of a big deal because there are plenty of leaders that can effectively get the job done and lead troops in battle without it.
As far as serving in Ranger Batt, just another unit with high standards and pride. They are part of the special operations community and have a great combat record, but once again, not the only ones that kick in doors and shoot bad guys in the face. Plenty of other infantry units out there with plenty of kills and troops with valor awards without a Ranger tab or a tabbed leader in many cases. One's career is filled with what I call "Snapshots" and that's where individuals have experienced things in their career that matters to them or looks good on paper. All the Rangers I've met are NOT bulletproof. They CAN'T fly. They CAN'T detect IED's by smell. They CAN'T stop time. They CAN'T bring a fallen comrade back to life after they have already been declared dead. No, they are simply Soldiers that completed a very challenging course or served in a unit with a high operational tempo, that's about it.
Combat experience is the true measuring stick, not schools and tabs. Rangers make mistakes like anyone else and let us not forget that they killed Pat Tillman and lied about it. I'm all for taking pride in one's accomplishments and love of unit, but let's get real here, if you've been in long enough, you would have served in a number of units with some pretty badass history behind it. We need folks to humble themselves more and just be professional. Totally ridiculous to make a big deal about being a Ranger when the damn Army has already defined it.
(3)
(0)
I don't care what title others give me because I merely passed the school and never set foot in the Regiment, but if I call myself "Ranger" it is not the same as VA Secy Robert McDonald saying he was Special Forces.
At the risk of sounding melodramatic, I will share what a Florida RI told my class after we returned from the field. He said we should not preemptively congratulate ourselves on our achievement, because the real test starts after graduation. Once you start wearing the tab, you have to change forever. You don't get to make excuses, blame others, or content yourself with complaining. You are expected to be the impeccable example.
Is diminishing the accomplishments of others consistent with the Ranger Creed? The Regiment is so small, and the School is such a huge achievement. We need the best leaders in the Force, the whole Force, and Ranger School is probably the best test we have other than combat. I admire those who serve in the Regiment. It certainly requires a lifestyle change, and their selection is the supreme vote of confidence in their abilities. Of the few who are qualified, even fewer are selected. The luck that gets you through School is the same luck that gets you selected over equally qualified peers. Admission to the Regiment should be a silent point of pride, which is certainly more admirable than begrudging someone a mere title.
At the risk of sounding melodramatic, I will share what a Florida RI told my class after we returned from the field. He said we should not preemptively congratulate ourselves on our achievement, because the real test starts after graduation. Once you start wearing the tab, you have to change forever. You don't get to make excuses, blame others, or content yourself with complaining. You are expected to be the impeccable example.
Is diminishing the accomplishments of others consistent with the Ranger Creed? The Regiment is so small, and the School is such a huge achievement. We need the best leaders in the Force, the whole Force, and Ranger School is probably the best test we have other than combat. I admire those who serve in the Regiment. It certainly requires a lifestyle change, and their selection is the supreme vote of confidence in their abilities. Of the few who are qualified, even fewer are selected. The luck that gets you through School is the same luck that gets you selected over equally qualified peers. Admission to the Regiment should be a silent point of pride, which is certainly more admirable than begrudging someone a mere title.
(3)
(0)
I'm a textual person, so I went looking for text that demonstrates something definitive. In the April 2000 version of the Ranger Handbook it says "After 50 years and 25 Directors and Commanders, the *Ranger Course* is still dedicated to producing the finest trained solider [sic] in the world . . . the United States Army Ranger!" Ranger Handbook, p. IV-2.
That sentence doesn't sink anyone's battleship, but it goes to show that even the producers of the Handbook suggest, at least, that graduates of the School are "Rangers." It certainly isn't exclusive; at many other points in the book it references only the Provisional Ranger units and the 75th.
What about the Marines who care so much about their title? Are they denied the "title" of "Ranger" since they have essentially no chance of serving in the Regiment?
So few graduate the school that I don't see how it does any measurable harm to Scrollers if the title is shared more broadly.
That sentence doesn't sink anyone's battleship, but it goes to show that even the producers of the Handbook suggest, at least, that graduates of the School are "Rangers." It certainly isn't exclusive; at many other points in the book it references only the Provisional Ranger units and the 75th.
What about the Marines who care so much about their title? Are they denied the "title" of "Ranger" since they have essentially no chance of serving in the Regiment?
So few graduate the school that I don't see how it does any measurable harm to Scrollers if the title is shared more broadly.
(2)
(0)
First and foremost, you must be bound by the same oath as all the other brothers of the Nights Watch. Although all brothers of the Watch stand watch on the Wall, the rangers are the main fighting force, adept at surviving in the wilderness and tasked with scouting and patrolling the Haunted Forest beyond the Wall. They actively defend the Wall and ride out to face the Watch's enemies, including the lawless wildlings as well as the mysterious, inhuman Others. One blast of a sentry's horn represents returning brothers, while two blasts are used for wildlings and three blasts for Others. Three blasts are not good.
What, wrong kind of ranger? Never mind.
What, wrong kind of ranger? Never mind.
(2)
(0)
I think that regardless of what is on you shoulder, it's your mindset, heart and soul, devotion and dedication that makes you who you are.
(2)
(0)
SFC Collin McMillion
I am not and was not a Ranger, so I don't feel I have the expertise to agree or disagree.
(0)
(0)
Good question!!! Yes, there have been many discussions. I have been told, more than once, I am not real Ranger... because I never served in the 75th? When I graduated from Ranger School the Regiment was not activated... and 3rd Battalion was brand new...
So, a few points, for my Ranger perspective:
1. I believe being a Ranger is mentality and not a unit. Ranger School is a small unit leaders course. If I was CSA, I would make every LT in the Army go.
2. The Ranger Regiment is simply highly resourced light infantry regiment. Many in their units (E-1 to E-4) do not even have a Ranger Tab. The tab, for a young infantry Soldier, in the Regiment, is the final phase (right of passage) to becoming a full fledged Ranger in the Regiment. Most go as E-4s, some E-3s.
3. More than half of every Ranger class are not Ranger Regiment Soldiers (Bat-Boys, as they called themselves back in my day). Many in the class are IN, AR, EN etc 2LTs, NCOs from various Light Divisions, and various Army and Joint SOCOM guys. And... Not all the Bat-Boys make it... So, those of us who make it, and earn the Tab (less than 50%) that are not in the Ranger Regiment, are not Rangers?
4. I am a lifetime member of Ranger Association, so I guess to them... Us mere Ranger School graduates are in fact Rangers?
http://www.ranger.org/page-581102
5. My Officer MOS was 31A5S... Which meant/means MP - Airborne/Ranger. So, I guess the Army considered me an Airborne Ranger.
6. My PL slots in my MP Company, as a Company Commander, were coded Ranger Slots (5R), so I guess the Army thought being a Ranger in a MP unit was important too.
7. I never got recycled at Ranger School (12-85), never failed a patrol, never got a no-go, never got peered out, never got hurt (bad enough to drop), never quit, and ended up being the Distinguished Honor Graduate... So I guess they at least they thought I was a Ranger.
8. And, They made us memorize the Ranger Creed, which I still know...
To me being a Ranger is about your mentality, your focus, your attitude, and your bearing... Wearing that tab always made me want to do better, be the best, and never ever quit, as I know what it represented, and that because of it... everyone expected more of me.
RLTW
So, a few points, for my Ranger perspective:
1. I believe being a Ranger is mentality and not a unit. Ranger School is a small unit leaders course. If I was CSA, I would make every LT in the Army go.
2. The Ranger Regiment is simply highly resourced light infantry regiment. Many in their units (E-1 to E-4) do not even have a Ranger Tab. The tab, for a young infantry Soldier, in the Regiment, is the final phase (right of passage) to becoming a full fledged Ranger in the Regiment. Most go as E-4s, some E-3s.
3. More than half of every Ranger class are not Ranger Regiment Soldiers (Bat-Boys, as they called themselves back in my day). Many in the class are IN, AR, EN etc 2LTs, NCOs from various Light Divisions, and various Army and Joint SOCOM guys. And... Not all the Bat-Boys make it... So, those of us who make it, and earn the Tab (less than 50%) that are not in the Ranger Regiment, are not Rangers?
4. I am a lifetime member of Ranger Association, so I guess to them... Us mere Ranger School graduates are in fact Rangers?
http://www.ranger.org/page-581102
5. My Officer MOS was 31A5S... Which meant/means MP - Airborne/Ranger. So, I guess the Army considered me an Airborne Ranger.
6. My PL slots in my MP Company, as a Company Commander, were coded Ranger Slots (5R), so I guess the Army thought being a Ranger in a MP unit was important too.
7. I never got recycled at Ranger School (12-85), never failed a patrol, never got a no-go, never got peered out, never got hurt (bad enough to drop), never quit, and ended up being the Distinguished Honor Graduate... So I guess they at least they thought I was a Ranger.
8. And, They made us memorize the Ranger Creed, which I still know...
To me being a Ranger is about your mentality, your focus, your attitude, and your bearing... Wearing that tab always made me want to do better, be the best, and never ever quit, as I know what it represented, and that because of it... everyone expected more of me.
RLTW

US Army Ranger Association, Inc. - Join USARA
The mission of the United States Army Ranger Association (USARA) is to promote and preserve the heritage, spirit, image and service of U.S. Army Rangers.
(2)
(0)
Read This Next