The U.S. Army Rangers are one of the most revered, respected, elite fighting forces in the world. Earning the privilege of wearing the Black-and-Gold Ranger Tab is a goal of many soldiers and civilians alike. This article will discuss the entrance requirements and qualifications of becoming an Army Ranger.
Basic Standards
These are some of the basic standards most need to meet to be considered for the Rangers:
– Be a U.S. citizen or resident alien – Have a High School Diploma or equivalent – Be 18 years of age or older – Minimum score of 240 on the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) (min 80 in each event) – Score 50 or higher on the ASVAB AFQT, with a GT score of 107 or higher
Path to the 75th Ranger Regiment
After soldiers complete Army Basic Combat Training (BCT) and their Advanced Individual Training (AIT) based on their Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), Ranger recruits are most likely to head to Ft Benning to complete 3-weeks worth of Airborne School. Immediately upon graduation of Airborne School, volunteers are then directed into the Ranger Assessment & Selection Program (RASP).
Ranger Assessment & Selection Program
There are two RASP levels, Level 1 and Level 2. Level 1 is for the enlisted ranks E-1 through E-5. RASP 2 is for SrNCO’s, Commissioned Officers, and Warrant Officers. Regardless of the RASP, all Ranger candidates are challenged mentally and physically through a series of faced-paced and intense trainings. From marksmanship to small-unit tactics, candidates are taught the skills necessary to deploy worldwide on a moments notice to directly deal with threats to our national security.
Successfully Completing RASP
To pass RASP, earn your Ranger Tab, and don the tan beret of the 75th Ranger Regiment, Ranger candidates will need to complete the following regardless of RASP level:
– Minimum score of 240 on the APFT (min of 80 in each event) and perform 6 chin-ups – Complete a 5-mile run in 40 minutes or less (minimum 8-minute mile pace) – Complete a 12-mile ruck march in 3 hours or less while carrying up to 35lbs of gear – Complete the Ranger Swim Ability Evaluation (RSAE) while displaying water confidence – Pass a psychological screening and be able to hold a SECRET Clearance
There are a few other administrative intricacies between RASP 1 and RASP 2 as well, but won’t mention those here as I wanted to highlight the primary physical requirements to become a Ranger.
It is hard to find a soldier more proud then when a Ranger candidate is presented with their Ranger Tab and beret. They symbolize months of training, hard work, and preparation.
As expected, the physical requirements are much higher than simply preparing for the APFT. Training principles like endurance conditioning, interval training, mental preparation, recovery, and nutrition are important when preparing to face the rigors of Ranger training. Soon I will be releasing our training program online called The Ranger Regiment Workout: 28 Days to Ranger Ready which is based on these principles and has been successfully preparing candidates for rigors of training, not to mention getting soldiers and civilians alike in the best shape of their life.
In the meantime, if you are interested in becoming an Army Ranger, I seriously recommend you read John Lock’s book for a detailed account of Ranger training. Also, start training now to bring your general fitness levels up. Look over our for ideas, tips, and recommendations.
Happy Training
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