Training squad of US Army Rangers
In 1951, a special department was created at the headquarters of the US Army that organized the training of officers and sergeants of the ground forces under the special Ranger program at the infantry school (Fort Benning, Georgia). The goal of the program was to train commanders of the platoon rot level for regular units of the US Army and their allies. Subsequently, the main emphasis in the training shifted from the group level to the individual.
Initially, it was planned to train up to 3 000 people per year for this program in order to have a sergeant-ranger in each platoon and an officer in each company of the US Army. However, in view of the large percentage of military personnel who were dismissed during training, no more than 2 thousand Rangers were produced annually.
The training program for cadets includes the organization of unit operations in isolation from the main forces, the organization and conduct of ambush operations, raids, airborne and air assault training. In addition to special knowledge and skills, commanders develop leadership skills and the ability to act in a non-standard setting. Particular attention is paid to physical training. The training program includes mountain training, as well as training in jungle activities.
5 August 1987, the special section of Ranger training was reorganized into a Ranger training brigade, which included four Ranger training battalions: 4 (Fort Benning), 5 (Dalonega, GA), 6 (Eglin AF, Florida ) and 7 (Fort Bliss, Texas).
Duration of training is 61 day. In this case, cadets are trained alternately in three training ranger battalions. The rotation takes place in the following sequence: 4-th battalion - 19 days, 5-th-21 day, 6-th - 18 days. The last three days are devoted to the registration of all necessary documents, preparation for release and the issue itself. Currently, the desert phase has been excluded from the training program (based on the 7 Battalion).
Creating an environment close to combat is achieved by limiting cadets to food, minimizing rest time, constant psychological pressure and severe physical exertion. The training day starts at 5.00 and ends at 14.00. Meal is provided after classes. During the course, each student loses up to 14 kg of weight. In spite of the fact that the main focus is on individual training, the skills of collective actions ("teamwork") are developed during the training course. The organization of interaction and cooperation in training platoons is one of the main objectives of the course.
Candidates can be both US Army soldiers and representatives of the armed forces of the allied countries. To complete courses on the Ranger program, male military personnel with the rank of sergeant and above are sent. Those having the rank below should receive written permission from their direct superior with the rank of colonel. All candidates must be healthy and in good shape. The experience of making parachute jumps is desirable, but not required.
The courses are usually recruited 60 percent. US cadet cadets, 20 percent. from other types of troops and another 20 percent. are representatives of the armed forces of foreign countries.
4 Ranger Training Battalion. The cadets who received the direction for the course stay in the camp "Rogers" (Fort Benning), where the headquarters and staff units of the training brigade and the 4 of the rangers training battalion are located. The second training camp, Darby, is located in a wooded area at some distance from Fort Benning.
In addition to the barracks, the camp includes five training fields. The largest of them - "Burnt Farm", imitating the village, consists of several wooden buildings and a tower, surrounded by a mesh fence. The remaining training facilities mimic the launch positions of missiles, communications centers and other typical military facilities. There is also an obstacle course called "Darby Queen".
Training at Camp Fort Benning is conducted in two stages. During the first five days (the so-called evaluation stage), the cadets are tested in the Rogers training camp, and in the next ten - training at the Darby camp.
Upon arrival at the brigade headquarters, the cadets submit their official and medical records, where their military ranks and the type of military service are not indicated. After that, the candidates proceed to taking physical fitness tests, consisting of a set of gymnastic, strength and athletics exercises. With their help, instructors determine the level of readiness of candidates for the course.
The following test consists of three parts and is a test of the ability of cadets to act in water in conditions close to combat. The first exercise - swimming in uniforms, equipment and with weapons at a distance of 15 m. In carrying out the second exercise, the cadet must dive into the water, remove his weapon and equipment and swim under water to the edge of the pool. The third exercise - he swims with weapons and equipment at a depth of 3 m under water. In addition to performing these exercises are recorded manifestation of panic and fear under the water. Their absence is the main indicator of passing the test, since the ability of a person to overcome his emotions in an extreme situation is considered especially valuable.
Of the cadets who have passed the test, formed three training company. From this point on, ranger candidates act in pairs, assisting each other. It is considered ideal when couples reach their final line-up to the final. However, due to medical indicators and dropouts, most couples fall apart.
During the “assessment phase,” cadets begin their daily 20-hour classes, during which the main focus is on physical training. In addition, tests are being conducted aimed at the ability of the cadets to handle communications and small arms.
The test process consists of 11 exam tasks, grouped into five sections.
The first three tasks relate to the ability to handle the machine gun M60: Standard number 1 - assembly disassembly of weapons at the time; Standard No. 2 - loading and preparing a machine gun for firing; Standard No. 3 - compiling a card of fire from a designated position with the correct sight on the targets specified by the instructor.
Regulation No. 4 - preparing mines М18А1 "Claymore" to undermine electrically. It is necessary to install a training mine, stretch the 23 to the trunk cable and insert the electric detonator. After that, report to the instructor about the readiness to undermine.
Standards No. 5 and 6 relate to work on the means of communication. Students must send a message over the radio, as well as encrypt and decrypt a radiogram using the 600 encryption table of the CCC.
The following three tasks are related to the use of МNNUMX assault rifles (М16): regulations № 4 and 7 on knowledge of the material part of the rifle and the ability to eliminate minor delays in the work of parts and mechanisms, № 8 - on the ability to perform all types of rifle checks, including combat check.
Standard No. 10 is associated with knowledge of the device of hand grenades and the ability to handle them, No. 11 with the verification of skills in handling the M203 grenade launcher.
Delivery of standards takes place in the morning and afternoon hours of the second day. Cadets who have not passed the standards, are entitled to re-examination. Repeated failure means deduction from the course. Without re-examination deduct those who have not passed four standards and more. This category of servicemen has the right to retake exams with the following set.
On the morning of the third day, after the cross-country race, tests for agility and endurance are conducted. Cadets need to overcome an obstacle course consisting of the following exercises: overcoming the 4-m fence without using ropes; overcoming the ditch with silt 25 m long (barbed wire stretched over it, the cadets overcome the ditch by crawling on their stomach or back); overcoming the moat with the silt method of hooking over the rafters ("rukhod"); overcoming obstacles "rigging network."
The third and fourth days are devoted to orienteering using a map and a compass. Classes are held in the field, where the cadets for several hours determine the points of their standing and the coordinates of these objects. Everyone has the right to work only with an army-issued compass and is deducted when a different type of compass is found. Orientation classes are held both during the day and at night.
The evaluation phase ends with a water test. It includes a jump from the 9 height to the water, as well as a rope descent into the water using a block from the 18 tower. Water test is carried out regardless of the season and weather conditions.
For those who do not pass any standard, re-re-examination is allowed. Cadets who are expelled at any stage of training, but who wish to try again, can be left to try the same tests with the next course. They are enrolled in a unit called the Gulag, which is formed at the battalion headquarters. This subdivision is involved in fulfilling the tasks of ensuring the educational process, repairing and improving the teaching and material base, as well as marking the enemy during exercises and tactical exercises.
In the evenings, during the first five days, the cadets work out self-defense techniques. Every day, 3-4 hours are assigned to hand-to-hand fighting.
Direct training of cadets begins in the camp "Darby" with parachute jumps from a helicopter. Those who do not have the experience of skydiving are taken to the area of employment by car.
For the first three days, cadets receive the necessary knowledge of tactics, methods of orientation, as well as those required for command and control of the division and development of leadership skills. Against the background of theoretical classes, physical training is constantly being held.
On the fourth day, the 20 overcomes the obstacles installed on the training field. In the afternoon, survival drills are held. Students learn how to catch wild animals and cooking food from them.
Before this activity, cadets do not receive food during the day.
The rest of the time in the camp "Darby" is dedicated to the development of tactical methods of conducting reconnaissance activities with the use of tactical-drill method of training. Instructors first show the technique of performing the technique, and then direct the workout, practicing each element.
When practicing tactics during an exercise, the role of the enemy is played by the Merrills platoon from the battalion headquarters company. The platoon is equipped with weapons that were in service with the armies of the former Warsaw Pact, and in the course of training battles, imitates the tactics of units of a potential enemy of the United States, including the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Personnel wear appropriate clothing and equipment. During the exercises, platoon soldiers guard training facilities, patrol the area and try to detect and capture trainees. Captured cadets sent to the area that simulates a camp for prisoners of war.
In the last four days, candidates receive an order for reconnaissance in day and night conditions, trying to complete the task and not be "killed" or captured.
At the end of this course, cadets are transferred to the Merrill camp (Dahlonega) to undergo mountain training.
5 Ranger Training Battalion. At this stage, 2 cadets receive hot meals once a day and once a day with dry rations. Sleep is given 5-6 h per day.
The whole program of the course of mountain training is divided into low-level and high-mountain, climbing techniques and mountain tactical training.
The cadets study climbing equipment, and then begin to work out various methods of climbing and descending on the 6 and 18 walls. In particular, the descent face down, the descent with a backpack and without it and the descent from the cliff of the wounded. After the class, the cadets must descend three times on their own from the 18 wall: once with a backpack, the second without a backpack in two jumps, the third descent is carried out at night and with full display.
The fifth and sixth days of the cadets spend on Mount Jonah. Here they acquire practical skills of descending and climbing rocks, using mountain equipment, and also work out tactics of actions in the mountains.
The next two days of training again take place in the camp, where serious attention is paid to physical training.
On the eighth day, platoon and company tactical exercises are held in the mountains. Cadets develop and conduct intelligence activities. The most difficult moment is the training with the drop-off of parachutists, who must land on a platform of size 100 x 150 m with a stream and a forest belt within its borders.
During the course, the commanders of companies, platoons and squads deal with the planning of exercises in accordance with the general lesson plan. They are given preliminary combat orders for the development of exercises, from which planning begins. During the course, each cadet appointed by an instructor sergeant may in turn be a commander at one of the stages. His work is necessarily evaluated by instructors.
The personnel, depicting the enemy, throughout the course attacks on the camp of the cadets.
Upon completion of the course of mountain training, the cadets move to Eglin airbase.
6 Ranger Training Battalion. At this stage, cadets are trained in jungle activities.
On the first day of training in field classes, they theoretically study tactics, methods of movement and reconnaissance, and special events in the jungle. A counter battle is added to the set of tactics.
The first day of classes ends in the field class with a study of the jungle flora and fauna. Rangers are taught to recognize and avoid dangerous animals, as well as provide first aid for bites. For display, the battalion contains a terrarium and a lake with crocodiles, which are administered by the battalion headquarters.
The second and third days are devoted to working out the tactics of action in the jungle. Sleep is given no more than 4 hours, the cadets are provided with dry rations.
In the course of the fourth day, the training issues of overcoming the water obstacles and actions on small boats are being worked out. The initial training is carried out on land. Then the squad with the help of instructors swims in a rowing rubber boat "Zodiac" to the patrol base located in the middle of the swamp, where he organizes the camp.
Subsequently, during the exercises and classes, the cadets work out the issues of movement on a rowing boat in the open sea (in the Gulf of Mexico). Tactical exercises conclude with a training assault on. Santa Rosa.
At the end of the training course, the servicemen relocate to the Rogers camp where the graduation ceremony takes place, after which they decline to continue their service in their units and units. Subsequently, they may be asked to fill vacancies in the 75 Infantry Regiment of the Ranger Special Operations Command of the US Army.
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