This articl will give you a much, much better explanation as to how soldiers become Rangers in the US Army. So let’s get right into it.

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Two Paths to Becoming an Army Ranger

Now, there are two different avenues that a soldier might take to become a Ranger.

• Ranger School
• RASP (Ranger Assessment Selection Program)

For the most part, many soldiers feel that just because a soldier does Ranger School, it doesn’t necessarily make them a Ranger. Yes, they earn the Ranger tab, but they are not a part of the 75th Ranger Regiment just yet.

For the most part, soldiers categorize an Army Ranger as someone who is actually serving in the 75th Ranger Regiment.

I’m going to talk about both those areas, both the Army Ranger School and RASP.

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Eligibility for Ranger School & RASP

Both Ranger School and RASP are available to soldiers:

• After attending Basic Training and AIT
• Or once they get to their unit, they can request to attend this training

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Ranger School

Overview

• Just over two months long
• Broken up into three phases

The Three Phases of Ranger School

1. Benning Phase – Conducted at Fort Benning, Georgia
2. Mountain Phase – Conducted in the mountains of Northern Georgia
3. Florida Phase – Conducted in Florida

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Benning Phase & RAP Week

During the first phase, known as the Benning Phase, there is also a week called RAP Week.

RAP Week (Ranger Assessment Phase)

• Extremely rigorous and exhausting
• Determines if soldiers can handle the rest of the training
• Many soldiers quit during this phase
• Statistics show that around 50% of soldiers will not make it past RAP Week

Why Soldiers Fail RAP Week

• Not in good enough shape
• Cannot handle the extreme mental or physical strain
• Decide they would rather quit than continue

Those that do make it past RAP Week will:

• Go through intensive leadership and teamwork training
• Complete obstacle courses
• Operate with very little sleep
• Function with limited food intake

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Ranger School Survival Tips

The Army actually recommends soldiers:
✅ Put on extra weight before attending – Since food intake will be limited, this allows soldiers to lose weight safely without extreme fatigue.

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Ranger School PT Test

During the Benning Phase, soldiers must pass a specific PT test, known as the Ranger Physical Assessment.

Ranger Physical Assessment (RPA) Requirements

• 49 pushups
• 59 sit-ups
• 5-mile run in 40 minutes or less

Ranger School Standards for All Soldiers

Those standards are for all soldiers, male, female, and regardless of age. Yes, I did say females, as Ranger School does authorize females to attend. I believe there have been two females who have completed Ranger School since they started allowing them.

Mountain Phase

If a soldier makes it past the Benning Phase, they then move on to the Mountain Phase.

Mountain Phase Training

• Combat training
• Leadership training
• Team building
• Operating in mountainous terrain (Northern Georgia)

This phase prepares them for environments like Afghanistan or any other countries with similar terrain.

Florida Phase

If a soldier is able to pass the requirements in Mountain Phase, they then move on to the Florida Phase.

Arrival in Florida Training Area

• Typically via airdrop
• If weather conditions are unsafe, soldiers will be bused in instead

Florida Phase Training Focus

• Swamp training
• Water survival

Ranger School Graduation

If a soldier completes the Florida Phase and passes everything, they then move on to graduation and receive their Ranger tab.

Now, in most soldiers’ eyes, that doesn’t necessarily make them a Ranger. They are Ranger qualified but not part of the 75th Ranger Regiment.

Reasons Soldiers Fail Ranger School

A soldier can fail Ranger School if they:

• Fail to meet training requirements (e.g., fitness test)
• Fail key training objectives
• Get “cleared out” by fellow soldiers

How Soldiers Get Cleared Out

1. If a soldier gets a 60% disapproval rating from their squad, they get moved to another squad.
2. If their second squad also gives them a 60% disapproval rating, they are removed from Ranger School.

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The 75th Ranger Regiment & RASP

RASP (Ranger Assessment and Selection Program)

To join the 75th Ranger Regiment, soldiers must go through RASP.

There are two different phases of RASP:

• RASP 1 – For sergeant or below
• RASP 2 – For staff sergeant and above, as well as officers

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RASP 1: For Sergeants and Below

• 8-week course
• Required for soldiers who want to join the 75th Ranger Regiment

Training Includes

✅ Road marches
✅ First responder training
✅ Land navigation
✅ Physically demanding tasks

Additional Requirements

• Soldiers are quizzed on 75th Ranger Regiment history
• Must recite the Ranger Creed
• Undergo a psychological evaluation

If a soldier passes all the requirements and is selected, they will:

• Earn the Tan Beret
• Move to their unit in the 75th Ranger Regiment

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RASP 2: For Staff Sergeants and Officers

• 21-day course
• For experienced leaders

Training Focus

• Advanced leadership skills
• Ranger techniques & equipment

If they pass, they:
✅ Join the 75th Ranger Regiment
✅ Return to their unit (if already in the 75th Rangers and recently promoted)

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Three Paths to the Ranger Title

1️⃣ Attend Ranger School → Earn Ranger Tab, but not a Ranger in the 75th Ranger Regiment
2️⃣ Attend RASP 1 → If selected, join 75th Ranger Regiment
3️⃣ Attend RASP 2 (Staff Sergeants & Officers) → If selected, join or remain in the 75th Ranger Regiment

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RASP 1 Soldiers & Ranger School Requirement

If a soldier joins the 75th Ranger Regiment through RASP 1, they must attend Ranger School before becoming a noncommissioned officer (sergeant or above).

Example Scenario

• A specialist joins the 75th Rangers through RASP 1
• Leadership wants to promote them to sergeant
• The soldier does not want to attend Ranger School
• They are removed from the 75th Ranger Regiment and sent to a regular Army unit

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Women in RASP

Females can attend RASP.

Female Participation & Selection

• One female completed RASP 2 and became the first female in the 75th Ranger Regiment
• No known female graduates of RASP 1

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Final Thoughts

Hopefully, this version of the video was clearer and didn’t leave out any key details about how soldiers become Rangers.

Quick Summary

• Ranger School ≠ 75th Ranger Regiment
• RASP 1 & RASP 2 → 75th Ranger Regiment
• NCOs & Officers in 75th Rangers must complete Ranger School

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Your Thoughts?

🔹 Do you think soldiers who only attend Ranger School should be called Rangers?
🔹 Or should only those in the 75th Ranger Regiment be considered Rangers?

Most soldiers feel that if a soldier completes RASP 1 or RASP 2 and serves in the 75th Ranger Regiment, they are Rangers. Otherwise, they are Ranger qualified (having attended Ranger School).