I'm thinking about joining the military after high school, and I've heard about Army Rangers. What's their role and what should I know before considering this path? Any insights into their daily duties would be awesome!
The Army Rangers, officially known as the 75th Ranger Regiment, are an elite special operations force in the U.S. Army. Their role primarily involves taking part in direct action operations.
In practice, this means they are often assigned to special missions that require a high level of combat readiness and versatility. Such missions might include conducting airborne and air assaults, seizing airfields, destroying strategic facilities, and capturing or killing enemies of the nation. Rangers are also often involved in reconnaissance and counterterrorism operations.
Training to become an Army Ranger is intensive and demanding. The Regiment requires all Ranger candidates to first succeed in the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program (RASP), which is known for its physical and mental rigor. It's also important to note that there is a Ranger School, which is a leadership development course open to all military branches; attending this school doesn't necessarily make you a part of the 75th Ranger Regiment, but is nonetheless a prerequisite for many infantry leaders.
The life of an Army Ranger can be quite challenging, given the physical demands and the potential for deployment in combat zones. It's not a decision to be made lightly. While it's an opportunity to serve your nation at a very high level of military operations, it also involves many sacrifices.
If you're set on this path, it may be beneficial to get in touch with a military recruiter or a military liaison at your school to discuss your potential career as an Army Ranger in more detail.
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