About this Unit
The 75th Ranger Regiment, often simply called the 75th Rangers, is an elite airborne light infantry unit of the United States Army. Its lineage traces back to World War II, when Ranger battalions spearheaded Allied operations in Europe and the Pacific. Reactivated in 1974, the modern regiment has since participated in key operations including the invasions of Grenada and Panama, the Gulf War, and major campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq. Renowned for their rigorous selection process and specialized training, the 75th Rangers are tasked with direct action raids, airfield seizures, and special reconnaissance missions worldwide.
Historical Facts
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World War II Origins: The 75th Ranger Regiment traces its lineage back to six Ranger battalions formed during World War II, famously including the 1st Ranger Battalion known as "Darby's Rangers."
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Black Hawk Down: Rangers from the 3rd Battalion played a pivotal role in the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu, Somalia, an operation later depicted in the book and film "Black Hawk Down."
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Modern Formation: The current 75th Ranger Regiment was officially established in 1984, consolidating several battalions under a single regimental headquarters.
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Ranger Creed: The Ranger Creed, recited daily by all Rangers, emphasizes the values of discipline, courage, and never leaving a fallen comrade.
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Global Deployments: The Regiment has deployed in every major U.S. conflict since its inception, including Grenada, Panama, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria.
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Special Operations Capability: The 75th Ranger Regiment is a key component of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) and is capable of conducting direct action raids, airfield seizures, and special reconnaissance.
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Ranger School vs. Regiment: Attending U.S. Army Ranger School does not make one a Ranger in the 75th; one must be assigned and serve in the Regiment.
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Distinctive Uniform: Rangers wear a tan beret, distinguishing them from other Army units, a change implemented in 2001 to set them apart from the black beret adopted Army-wide.
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First to Enter Afghanistan: The 75th Ranger Regiment was among the first U.S. forces to enter Afghanistan in October 2001, conducting a daring air assault on Objective Rhino.
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Regimental Motto: The motto of the Regiment is "Rangers Lead The Way!"—a phrase reportedly coined during the D-Day landings at Pointe du Hoc in Normandy.
