How to Become an Army Ranger

From their treks to search out the Redcoats during the Revolution, to their unparalleled courage on the cliffs above Omaha Beach, and to their lightning strikes during Operation Desert Storm, the U.S. Army Rangers march through American history as the first to go "in harm's way."

Difficulty:

Challenging

Instructions

1. Search your heart and your psyche. Rangers are warriors. Rangers are trained to face highly dangerous and stressful combat actions. Ranger training will require the utmost in courage, physical stamina and self-discipline.

2. Develop your body - run for endurance, train with weights, become a proficient swimmer.

3. Keep yourself in top physical and mental condition.

4. Remember that good soldiers are intelligent soldiers.

5. Secure the best education possible.

6. Familiarize yourself with military history, politics and international relations.

7. Join the U.S. Army.

8. Choose advanced infantry training.

9. Become a dedicated, professional soldier.

10. Strive to exceed the expectations of your leaders.

11. Work diligently to improve your military skills, taking advantage of advanced training.

12. Apply for paratrooper training.

13. Ask your commanding officers to endorse your application for Ranger training.

14. Apply for Army Ranger training.

15. Understand you must pass the rugged requirements of the Army Physical Fitness Test, the Combat Water Survival Test and the six-day Ranger Assessment Phase before you begin actual Ranger training.

Tips & Warnings

• The Rangers is an elite group within the U.S. Army, consisting of only the 75th Ranger Regiment. Many graduates of the Ranger school and veterans of the Ranger regiment go on to serve in other units.

• Rangers trace their history back to Rogers' Rangers of the American Revolution, through Mosby's Raiders in the Civil War and Merrill's Marauders of World War II.

• Ranger applicants must, for example, do 52 push-ups, 62 sit-ups, and 6 chin-ups with palms facing inward. They must be able to run 2 miles in running shoes in 14:54 minutes or less and be able to swim 15 meters without any show of fear or panic while wearing combat boots and carrying a rifle and gear.

• Ranger duty is also intellectually demanding. Many Rangers are college graduates.

• Rangers may operate in only company or battalion strength and may be called on to take part in precise military operations such as hostage rescue or behind-the-lines intelligence gathering.