U.S. Army Rangers

JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash.I Corps commanding general, Lt. Gen. Robert Brown, pins the Silver Star to the uniform of Sgt. Peter Cimpoes, formerly of the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment during a special ceremony at Saint Martins Marcus Pavilion, Lacey, Wash., Mar. 20. During the ceremony Soldiers of the battalion were also awarded another Silver Star, seven Bronze Star Medals with V device for Valor, 11 Purple Hearts, four Army Commendation Medals with V Device for Valor and a Joint Service Commendation Medal with V device.

JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash.Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, were awarded were presented two Silver Stars, seven Bronze Star Medals with V device for Valor, 11 Purple Hearts, four Army Commendation Medals with V Device for Valor and a Joint Service Commendation Medal with V device, during a ceremony at Saint Martins Marcus Pavilion, Lacey, Wash., March 20.

Staff Sgt. Josh Rolfes, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, swings a kettle bell as Maj. Mark Ivezaj, 4th BCT, 4th Inf. Div., coaches, at Fort Carson, Colo. Two years ago, Ivezaj developed the Mountain Athlete Warrior program, which focuses on functional fitness movements, to 4th BCT Soldiers.

After finishing a Mountain Athlete Warrior circuit, Soldiers massage their legs with foam rollers to help reduce lactic acid buildup, at Fort Carson, Colo.

Soldiers trying out for the Best Ranger Team warm up before beginning their physical training workout, at Fort Carson, Colo. Soldiers from three brigades participated in the Mountain Athlete Warrior workout, led by Maj. Mark Ivezaj, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

Staff Sgt. Ryan Chancellor (right), dead lifts 135 pounds as 1st Lt. Nick Dockery coaches, at Fort Carson, Colo. Chancellor, with 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and Dockery, with 2nd Bn., 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th BCT, 4th Inf. Div., participated in the Mountain Athlete Warrior workout as part of their training for the Best Ranger competition.

First Lt. Ken Rowe, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, completes his final 500-meter sprint, as Maj. Mark Ivezaj calls out the time, at Fort Carson, Colo.

Lt. Col. Jeremy Schroeder, commander of 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, speaks to the graduates of 1st Battalions two-week pre-Ranger course at Forward Operating Base Ghazni, Afghanistan, Dec. 23, 2012. After weeks of planning and with the help of the Ranger Training Brigade at Fort Benning, Ga., who sent the most current course materials, a cadre of Ranger-qualified noncommissioned officers from 1st Battalion put together a course, focusing on the fundamentals taught at what is generally considered one of the toughest courses the army offers. We were pulling information from stateside to make it accurate and to get the most updated techniques from Ranger School itself, said U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Zachari Rushing, of Gulf Breeze, Fla., one of the instructors of the course and the lead in creating the course.

Sgt. 1st Class Zachari Rushing watches as Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, recite the Ranger Creed before a graduation ceremony from 1st Battalions two-week pre-Ranger course, at Forward Operating Base Ghazni, Afghanistan, Dec. 23, 2012. After weeks of planning and with the help of the Ranger Training Brigade at Fort Benning, Ga., who sent the most current course materials, a cadre of Ranger-qualified noncommissioned officers from 1st Battalion put together a course, focusing on the fundamentals taught at what is generally considered one of the toughest courses the army offers.

Capt. Grant Flynn (left) and Capt. Andrew Sidwell, with the 1-393rd Infantry Battalion, 479th Field Artillery Brigade, Division West, navigate an obstacle course at Fort Hood, Texas, Dec. 4, 2012, during validation training for the 30th annual Best Ranger Competition. The two officers were selected to represent First Army in the competition to be held in April 2013.

Capt. Grant Flynn (right) and Capt. Andrew Sidwell, with the 1-393rd Infantry Battalion, 479th Field Artillery Brigade, Division West, hoist their gear from the water after jumping from a helicopter and swimming to the shore at Belton Lake on North Fort Hood, Texas, Dec. 5, 2012. The helocast was part of the validation training to select a team to represent First Army at the 30th annual Best Ranger Competition in April 2013.

Capt. Andrew Sidwell (right) and Capt. Grant Flynn, with the 1-393rd Infantry Battalion, 479th Field Artillery Brigade, Division West, paddle a canoe across Belton Lake on North Fort Hood, Texas, Dec. 5, 2012, during validation training for the 30th annual Best Ranger Competition. The two officers were selected to represent First Army as one of 50 teams that will vie for the title of Best Ranger in the April 2013 competition.

Capt. Andrew Sidwell, with the 1-393rd Infantry Battalion, 479th Field Artillery Brigade, Division West, rappels from the air assault training tower on Fort Hood, Texas, Dec. 5, 2012, during validation training for the 30th annual Best Ranger Competition. Sidwell is part of a two-Soldier team that was selected to represent First Army in the Army-wide competition to be held in April 2013.

Retired Staff Sgt. Joe Trainor teamed up with master dog trainer Toriano Sanzone to form a nonprofit organization to connect Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom veterans with dogs that were scheduled to be euthanized. Trainor said while transitioning back to civilian life, his dog helped him cope.

Frontiersmen under Moses Hazen were among American forces that advanced toward Montreal but were thwarted by the British in 1775 during the first year of the American Revolution. Hazen was a veteran of Rogers Rangers.

TACOMA, Wash. (May 10, 2012) Pfc. Joshua Overly, a Ranger from 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, receives a Bronze Star Medal from Lt. Col. David Hodne, his battalion commander, in Tacoma, Wash., May 10, 2012.

Rangers from 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, stand in formation at their units combat awards ceremony in Tacoma, Wash., May 10, 2012.

Lt. Gen. John F. Mulholland, U.S. Army Special Operations Command commander, affixes a Valorous Unit Award streamer to 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment colors in Tacoma, Wash., May 10, 2012. The Ranger battalion received two in the rare public ceremony for actions in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2005.

Decorations await 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment troops at their units combat awards ceremony in Tacoma, Wash., May 10, 2012.

Children watch 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment troops at their units combat awards ceremony in Tacoma, Wash., May 10, 2012.

First Lt. Christopher Siok of 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, and 1st Lt. William Foulks of 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, both of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, emerge from a window while negotiating a course at the Best Ranger Competition, April 13, 2012, at Fort Benning, Ga.

Capt. Shaun Pothin and 1st Lt. Joshua Gorcyzniski use teamwork to drag weights across the sand at the Best Ranger Competition, April 13, 2012, at Fort Benning, Ga. The two-man team was one of three teams from the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, competing for top honors.

First Lt. Christopher Siok of 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, flies down a zip line during the water confidence course at the Best Ranger Competition, April 15, 2012, at Fort Benning, Ga.

First Lt. Jonathan Buckland of 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, climbs a rope leading to the roof of a building during while running through an obstacle course at the Best Ranger Competition, April 13, 2012, at Fort Benning, Ga. The course was one of many events the two-man teams went through in their quest to be named the Best Rangers.

First Lt. Joshua Gorcyzniski of 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, prepares to enter a building during the Best Ranger Competition, April 13, 2012, at Fort Benning, Ga.

On day three of the 2012 Best Ranger Competition, teams showcased their helocast skills at Victory Pond, April 15, 2012. The helocast was one of two water events that took place.

A Team 9 member from the 10th Mountain Division conducts a fast rope insertion/extraction system from a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter onto York Field at Fort Benning, Ga., on day three of the 2012 Best Ranger Competition, April 15, 2012. The 34 two-man teams finished the competition with a leadership challenge and a three-mile buddy run.

A competitor from Team 5, of the 1st Infantry Division, carries an ammo can during the Leadership Challenge on day three of the 2012 Best Ranger Competition at York Field on Fort Benning, Ga., April 15, 2012. The 34 remaining Best Ranger Competition teams fast-roped into the challenge from a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.

Capt. Jason DeRosa builds a litter to carry equipment during the Leadership Challenge on day three of the 2012 Best Ranger Competition, April 15, 2012, at Fort Benning, Ga. The 34 remaining Best Ranger Competition teams fast-roped into the challenge from a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.

Team 21 member from the Army Calvary Regiment drops to the ground after completing the helocast and swim at Victory Pond, April 15, 2012, at Fort Benning, Ga. The helocast was one of two water events that took place.

Capt. Robert Killian and 1st Lt. Nicholas Plocar, of the Army National Guard, cross the finish line for the final event of the 2012 Best Ranger Competition, April 15, 2012, at Fort Benning, Ga. Killian and Plocar were the first Rangers to finish the three-mile buddy run.

FORT BENNING, Ga. -- Army Staff Sgt. Matt Madiar and Sgt. 1st Class Zach Phillips, from the Army National Guard, maneuver a 180-pound casualty over an obstacle during the 29th Annual David E. Grange Jr. Best Ranger Competition at Todd Field, April 14, 2012. Madiar and Phillips were 1 of 34 teams left at the start of day two.

FORT BENNING, Ga. -- Army Staff Sgt. Matt Madiar, from the Army National Guard, crawls through an obstacle while litter carrying a 180-pound casualty during the 29th Annual David E. Grange Jr. Best Ranger Competition at Todd Field, April 14, 2012. The obstacle was part of the Ranger First Responder medical lane.

FORT BENNING, Ga. -- Army Sgt. 1st Class Vince Castellanos, from the Ranger Training Brigade, climbs an obstacle during the 29th Annual David E. Grange Jr. Best Ranger Competition at Todd Field, April 14, 2012. The obstacle was part of the Ranger First Responder medical lane.

FORT BENNING, Ga. -- Army Sgt. 1st Class Vince Castellanos, from the Ranger Training Brigade, climbs up the side of the tri-tower during the 29th Annual David E. Grange Jr. Best Ranger Competition at Todd Field, April 14, 2012. After climbing up one side of the tower, competitors then had to repel down the opposite side before moving on to scale two smaller towers.

FORT BENNING, Ga. -- Army Sgt. 1st Class Vince Castellanos, from the Ranger Training Brigade, climbs the rock wall on the tri-tower during the 29th Annual David E. Grange Jr. Best Ranger Competition at Todd Field, April 14, 2012. After climbing the 60-foot wall, competitors then repelled down the opposite side before moving on to scale two smaller towers.

FORT BENNING, Ga. -- Army Sgt. 1st Class Vince Castellanos from the Ranger Training Brigade, attempts to regain footing on the 60-foot rock climbing wall at Todd Field during Ranger Day Stakes, April 14, 2012. After reaching the top of the wall, competitors then repelled down the opposite side before moving on to scale two smaller towers.

Capt. Josh Bobbitt, from Team 43, 4th Ranger Training Battalion, crawls under a low-wire obstacle on the Darby Queen obstacle course during day one of the Best Ranger Competition at Fort Benning, Ga., April 13. Photo by Staff Sgt. Thaddius S. Dawkins II, 49th Public Affairs Detachment (Airborne).

Staff Sgt. Samuel Leritz, from Team 24, 75th Ranger Regiment, negotiates the cargo net obstacle on the Darby Queen obstacle course during day one of the Best Ranger Competition at Fort Benning, Ga., April 13. Photo by Staff Sgt. JaJuan S. Broadnax, 49th Public Affairs Detachment (Airborne).

The 29th installment of the David E. Grange Jr. Best Ranger Competition begins April 13, 2012, at Fort Benning, Ga. Pictured here, Rangers begin the 2011 Best Ranger Competition at Fort Benning, April 15, 2011.

Sgt. Nicholas Blohm, Sgt. Joshua Boswell and Sgt. Justin Gloucher from the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, march off the parade field, March 16, 2012, after receiving medals for their service during a deployment to Afghanistan last fall.

Members of the Dahlke and Hario Families cut the ribbon at the dedication of the Staff Sgt. Jason S. Dahlke/Pfc. Eric W. Hario Combat Readiness Training Facility, March 16, 2012. The facility is dedicated to Dahlke, 29, and Hario, 19, who served together in 2nd Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, and were both known for their physical capabilities and natural athleticism.

The family of Staff Sgt. Kevin Pape, wife Amelia, and daughter Anneka, 5, unveil the bench honoring the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment Ranger who was killed by enemy forces, Nov. 16, 2010, in Kunar Province, Afghanistan.

Adm. William H. McRaven, commander, U.S. Special Operations Command, shakes the hand of a Ranger from the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, awarded a Silver Star for gallantry during an awards ceremony at Hunter, March 16, 2012. One hundred four medals were presented to 80 Rangers for their bravery and heroism in combat operations in remote regions of Afghanistan.

Rangers carry the bench dedicated to Staff Sgt. Kevin Pape to the 1/75 Ranger Memorial. Staff Sgt. Pape was a Ranger with the 1/75 who was killed by enemy forces, Nov. 16, 2010, in Konar Province, Afghanistan.

A member of the 75th Ranger Regiment in Afghanistan wears the JTRS Rifleman Radio. The Rangers recently completed an operational assessment of the software-programmable Joint Tactical Radio Systems.

Cpt. Erik Edstrom, executive officer, Honor Guard Company, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), inserts an intravenous catheter into the arm of Staff Sgt. Sean McAlpine, infantryman, Delta Company, during medical training, Jan. 12, at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, in preparation for the Best Ranger Competition. The Best Ranger Competition, a 3-day event consisting of physical and mental tasks undertaken with very little rest, takes place, April 13-16, in Fort Benning, Ga. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Megan Garcia)

Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Petry told Soldiers in 3rd Battalion, 13th Field Artillery, how he lost his right hand from throwing a live grenade away from himself and two other Army Rangers during combat in Afghanistans Paktia province, during a visit to Fort Sill, Okla, Jan. 12, 2012. He stressed how important training is in staying alive in combat.

Col. Michael Foster, 1/75 Ranger commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Nick Bielich, the battalion command sergeant major, unveil the 1/75 Ranger Memorial with the names of Staff Sgt. Jeremy Katzenberger and Sgt. Alessandro Plutino, both of Company B, who were killed in Afghanistan during their most recent deployment. The memorial now bears the names of 41 1/75 Rangers who died in combat or during training.

Rangers with the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, stand at attention during a memorial ceremony honoring Staff Sgt. Jeremy Katzenberger and Sgt. Alessandro Plutino, both of Compnay B, who were killed in Afghanistan during their most recent deployment.

U.S. Army Rangers from 75th Ranger Regiment throw out colored smoke canisters, July 25, as they being their assault on a mock insurgent building on Fryar Drop Zone, Fort Benning, Ga., as part of the Regiment’s 2011 Ranger Rendezvous events.

U.S. Army Rangers from 75th Ranger Regiment run through concealing smoke, July 25, as they maneuver their way towards a mock insurgent building as part of an assault on the structure on Fryar Drop Zone, Fort Benning, Ga.., as part of the Regiment’s 2011 Ranger Rendezvous events.

U.S. Army Rangers from the 75th Ranger Regiment clear a mock enemy vehicle, July 25, as part of an assault on the structure on Fryar Drop Zone, Fort Benning, Ga., as part of the Regiment’s 2011 Ranger Rendezvous events.

A C17 Globe master Aircraft drops U.S. Army Rangers onto Fryar Drop Zone, Fort Benning, Ga., July 25, as part of the Regiment’s 2011 Ranger Rendezvous events.

U.S. Army Rangers from 75th Ranger Regiment run towards a mock insurgent building, July 25, as part of an assault on the structure on Fryar Drop Zone, Fort Benning, Ga., as part of the Regiment’s 2011 Ranger Rendezvous events.

U.S. Army Rangers from the 75th Ranger Regiment fill the sky during a Mass Tactical Airborne Operation, July 25, as part of an assault on the structure on Fryar Drop Zone, Fort Benning, Ga., as part of the Regiment’s 2011 Ranger Rendezvous events.

Spectators look skyward as a C17 Globemaster Aircraft drops U.S. Army Rangers onto Fryar Drop Zone, Fort Benning, Ga., July 25, as part of the Regiment’s 2011 Ranger Rendezvous events.

U.S. Army Rangers from the 75th Ranger Regiment run towards a grass hill during a mock raid on a insurgent structure, July 25, as part of an assault on the structure on Fryar Drop Zone, Fort Benning, Ga., as part of the Regiment’s 2011 Ranger Rendezvous events.

U.S. Army Rangers from the 75th Ranger Regiment take a covered position as a rocket propelled grenade training round explodes, July 25, as part of an assault on an insurgent structure on Fryar Drop Zone, Fort Benning, Ga., as part of the Regiment’s 2011 Ranger Rendezvous events.

U.S. Army Rangers from the 75th Ranger Regiment breach the outer walls of a mock insurgent building, July 25, as part of an assault on the structure on Fryar Drop Zone, Fort Benning, Ga., as part of the Regiment’s 2011 Ranger Rendezvous events.

U.S. Army Rangers from the 75th Ranger Regiment breach and enter the walls of a mock insurgent building, July 25, as part of an assault on the structure on Fryar Drop Zone, Fort Benning, Ga., as part of the Regiment’s 2011 Ranger Rendezvous events.

U.S. Army Rangers from the 75th Ranger Regiment breach and enter the walls of a mock insurgent building, July 25, as part of an assault on the structure on Fryar Drop Zone, Fort Benning, Ga., as part of the Regiment’s 2011 Ranger Rendezvous events.

U.S. Army Rangers from the 75th Ranger Regiment run towards a grass hill during a mock raid on a insurgent structure, July 25, as part of an assault on the structure on Fryar Drop Zone, Fort Benning, Ga., as part of the Regiment’s 2011 Ranger Rendezvous events.

U.S. Army Rangers from the 75th Ranger Regiment take a covered position during a mock raid on a insurgent structure, July 25, as part of an assault on the structure on Fryar Drop Zone, Fort Benning, Ga., as part of the Regiment’s 2011 Ranger Rendezvous events.

U.S. Army Rangers from the 75th Ranger Regiment take a covered position during a mock raid on a insurgent structure, July 25, as part of an assault on the structure on Fryar Drop Zone, Fort Benning, Ga., as part of the Regiment’s 2011 Ranger Rendezvous events.

Cpl. Austin Saunders, a gun team leader with Charlie Company, 3rd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, endured five months of aggressive chemotherapy, after being diagnosed with lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph nodes in February of 2010. His drive to endure and ultimately survive cancer was to fulfill his long-term goal of becoming a member of the 75th Ranger Regiment.

Gen. Raymond T. Odierno spoke May 24 after being named a recipient of the No Greater Sacrifice Freedom Awards.

Col. David Sutherland and Sen. Joseph Lieberman present Sgt. Joe Kapacziewski (center) with the No Greater Sacrifice Freedom Award May 24.

Staff Sgt. Raymond Santiago is the NCO of the Year.

Spc. Blaise Corbin is the Soldier of the Year.

There were two land navigation events in this year's competition."

Soldiers complete combat field fire scenarios in the Engagement Skills Trainer 2000.y"

Candidates goes through M4 weapons qualification May 2 at Simpson Range. The competition kicked off before dawn May 2 with a physical fitness test for all Soldier, NCO and Drill Sergeant of the Year competitors. Over the course of four days, they demonstrated their knowledge and proficiency in multiple warrior tasks such as land navigation, urban orienteering, first aid, combatives, communication, physical readiness training and casualty reporting. Competitors were required to complete a written essay, exam and appear before a knowledge assessment board. Additionally, Drill Sergeant of the Year candidates demonstrated their knowledge through a drill sergeant-specific exam and execution of drill and ceremony modules.

Team 22, MSGs Daniel Jenkins and Walter Zajkowski, both who have won the competition before, pull a casualty on a Skedco during day two's Day Stakes.

Team 31, SSGs Miguel Antia and Michael Mutchie, and Team 7, SGTs Jesse Collins and Michael Malchow, paddle the Chattahoochee River. Team 7 finished first in the canoe.

CPT Aaron Chonko, Team 1, rappels down the Tri Tower Challenge.

Team 43, 1LTs Michael Luth and Thomas Halverson, navigate a horizontal ladder on the Darby Queen.