The duties performed by Ranger and Special Forces differ from one another in the US military. Two elite military units: the Rangers and Special Forces, perform specific duties for the US Army.
Both groups’ types and levels of training varied significantly from one another as well. Although there may seem to be some similarities, relatively few people are able to acquire the skills required to join the Special Forces.
If you’re curious about the differences between the two elite military units, keep reading.
Who Is A Ranger?
Due to their superior physical strength and stamina, rangers are infantrymen who are assigned to specialized assignments. Because both rangers and Special Forces are employed by Special Operations Command, there is confusion between the two SOCOM.
Rangers, however, are never regarded as Special Forces like Navy Seals or Green Berets. The Special Operations moniker is given to Rangers.
Rangers can be sent anywhere in the world with just 18 hours notice and at short notice. This suggests that rangers are a swift strike unit of the US army and that because of their strength, they are often called upon to engage in combat abroad.
In platoons, rangers advance, they are experts in clearing the way for the army and are trained specifically for infantry duty. Additionally, rangers don’t care about diplomacy or learning foreign languages because they are experts in direct action like airborne raids, blowing up, shooting out, etc.
Ranger and Special Forces training are completely dissimilar for this same reason. MacDill Air Force Base, located just outside of Tampa, Florida, serves as the home base for SOCOM.
Your understanding of the US Army Rangers should start with the following:
- Ranger School comes before the 75th Ranger Regiment.
- The Ranger tab on the left shoulder of some army uniforms is NOT a way to recognize a ranger.
- The brown beret serves as a means of identification.
- When a soldier wears a Ranger tab, it means that they have successfully completed the gruel-fest 61-day Ranger School, which is not for the faint of heart.
The Differences Between Ranger School And Ranger Rank
A soldier who is considering making a career out of the military should take into consideration Ranger School, which is open to almost all soldiers and is known to be valuable leadership training. Being a member of the Ranger Battalion, the group that dons a tan beret, is quite another.
Members of the 75th Ranger Regiment live the ranger lifestyle continuously, unlike other troops who live it for 61 days while attending Ranger School.
Additionally, every member of a Ranger Battalion (also known as a “Ranger Batt”) must complete Ranger School before being promoted to a leadership position which is usually after attaining the level of Specialist (E-4).
What Are The Special Forces?
The US Army’s Special Forces are designed more for unconventional warfare than for direct combat, which is what rangers excel at. Because of their unique helmet, the Special Forces of the United States Army are also known as the Green Berets.
Special Forces Officers receive specialized training that equips them for guerilla warfare, counterterrorism, reconnaissance, and fighting abroad. They are also necessary for humanitarian aid, fighting drug trafficking, search and rescue operations, and peacekeeping missions.
De Opresso Liber (Latin) is the Special Forces’ slogan (Latin). To release the oppressed is the meaning of this Latin slogan. The fact that these soldiers are not directly under the direction of the leaders of the nations they are fighting is one element that sets Special Forces apart from other US army units.
The Green Berets have a reputation for being experts in unconventional conflict. In essence, they will become not only extraordinarily skilled soldiers but also exceedingly skilled in the culture they are assigned to operate in.
In actuality, language school is one of the toughest courses a Green Beret has to take.
Not every member of the SF will be able to speak Arabic, Farsi, Pashtu, or Dari (the most commonly used languages where Americans operate in the Middle East today).
Special Forces are prepared to travel to a foreign nation and blend in. It goes without saying that learning foreign languages and diplomacy lessons are necessary for this.
While they do engage in direct action, it is primarily to persuade and connect with leaders in other nations.
Differences Between Rangers And Special Forces
Small formations of 12 commandos each comprised of Special Forces advance. Rangers never train troops in a foreign country; instead, Special Forces are frequently called to do so.
Despite having all the necessary skills, Special Forces are people-centric since they are taught to fight with or against prospective allies or enemies. For further differences, check out the table below:
| Responsibilities | • Rangers are infantrymen that are selected for specialized assignments due to their superior physical strength and stamina. • The US Army’s Special Forces are more suited to unconventional warfare. |
| Tasks | • Rangers are experts in direct action, including airborne raids, explosions, shooting out, etc. • The US Army’s Special Forces are experts in guerilla warfare, counterterrorism, international combat, and reconnaissance. |
| Operational Mode: | • Rangers move forward in platoons in operational mode. • Special Forces deploy in smaller units with each unit having 12 commandos. |
| Motto: | • “Rangers lead the way” is the motto of the rangers. • The mission statement of Special Forces is “to free the downtrodden.” |
| Contribution: | • Rangers have made a significant contribution to several wars, including the American Revolutionary War, the Persian Gulf War, the Iraq War, the Kosovo War, etc. • Special Forces have fought in numerous conflicts, including the Cold War, the Vietnam War, the Somalian War, the Kosovo War, etc. |
| Garrison or Head Quarters: | • Rangers have three garrisons or headquarters, located at Fort Benning, Georgia, Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia, and Fort Lewis, Washington. • Fort Bragg, North Carolina serves as the Green Beret headquarters. |
The Role Of Army Rangers
An exceptional light infantry unit is the Army Rangers.
They are a sizable force that frequently participates in airborne assaults, joint special operations raids, reconnaissance flights, and searches and rescue operations.
Imagine them as a more compact, well-trained, and flexible version of an Army company that is sent to handle particular crises.
Need to take over an airstrip quickly? Contact the Army Rangers.
Taking control of and destroying a communications array is required by the US government? Contact the Army Rangers.
Have a power plant that must be protected and located in enemy territory? Contact the Army Rangers.
What Do Green Berets Perform?
Unconventional warfare is taught (and practiced) by Green Berets.
Unconventional warfare, counterinsurgency, special reconnaissance, direct action missions, and foreign internal defense are the five main missions that Green Berets specialize in.
This can entail everything from providing assistance, instruction, and equipment to foreign fighting forces to carrying out reconnaissance operations far beyond enemy lines.
Need a military force with expertise in counter-drug operations? Summon the Green Berets.
Teaching the natives of a third-world nation how to fight? Summon the Green Berets.
Need to maintain order in a hotspot around the world? Summon the Green Berets.
Historical Battles Between Army Rangers And Green Berets
The Green Berets are believed to have drawn inspiration from unconventional warfare forces like the Alamo scouts and Philippine rebels when they were created in June 1952 by Colonel Aaron Bank. Since its founding in 1952, the Green Berets have participated in almost every significant conflict in which the United States has been engaged.
They probably engage in a wide range of covert operations that are not disclosed to the American public due to the nature of their operations.
The following are a few of the more well-known recent engagements:
- FEDERAL OPERATING ENFORCEMENT
- Iraq War Conflict in Northwest Pakistan
- Inherent Resolve Operation
- The Atlantic Resolve operation
- The Army Rangers (75th Ranger Regiment), as it is known today, was established in February 1986.
There were six Ranger battalions operating under the Combat Arms Regimental System prior to this time.
The Army Rangers have been involved in a variety of international conflicts since their creation, just like their Green Beret counterparts.
The following are a few of the more well-known recent engagements:
- Mogadishu Battle (also known as “Black Hawk Down”)
- Operation Enduring Freedom in the Kosovo War
- Operation Freedom’s Sentinel in the Iraq War
FAQs:
Are the Rangers and Special Forces the same thing?
The Rangers, Green Berets, and Night Stalkers are some of the Army’s Special Operations forces. Rangers are infantrymen involved in direct conflicts while Special forces are involved in unconventional warfare.
Which is tougher? Special forces or an Army Ranger?
It is tough to become an Army Ranger as well as become a part of the Special Forces. Both are equally as challenging, as they have different requirements and responsibilities. The only thing common between them, is that they’re composed of physically elite humans.
Are Army Rangers the top-tier soldiers?
The U.S. Army’s premier large-scale special operations group, the 75th Ranger Regiment, comprises some of the most skilled Soldiers in the world.
Conclusion:
- Two elite military units, the Rangers and Special Forces perform specific duties for the US Army. Ranger is never regarded as Special Forces like Navy Seals or Green Berets.
- MacDill Air Force Base, Florida serves as the home base for SOCOM.
- The US Army’s Special Forces are designed more for unconventional warfare than for direct combat. Every member of a Ranger Battalion (also known as a “Ranger Batt”) must complete Ranger School.
- Rangers never train troops in a foreign country, instead, they are frequently called to do so. The Army Rangers (75th Ranger Regiment), as it is known today, was really established in February 1986.
- The Green Berets are believed to have drawn inspiration from unconventional warfare forces like the Alamo scouts and Philippine rebels when they were created in June 1952.