FORT BENNING, Ga., (Oct. 8, 2014) -- Soldiers, veterans, Family members and civilians from across the Army came together Oct. 3 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the activation of the 75th Ranger Regiment with a number of events on Fort Benning.
The day kicked off with a dedication ceremony at the Ranger Memorial that saw the regiment's pedestal rededicated and the updated version reflecting the regiment's service during the last 13 years of conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan unveiled.
Among those in attendance for the dedication was Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Raymond Odierno, who praised the regiment's storied history of success on the battlefield.
"Since the activations of the 1st and 2nd Battalions in 1974 and later the 3rd Battalion and Headquarters and Headquarters Company on Oct. 3, 1984, the Rangers have been at the tip of the spear," Odierno said. "From Grenada to Panama, Desert Storm to Kosovo, Iraq to Afghanistan, the Rangers were always leading the way. ... The 75th Ranger Regiment has proven itself time and again as a group of quiet professionals who thrive in the most challenging environments."
The regiment was activated when as a result of the demonstrated effectiveness of the Ranger battalions, the Department of the Army announced in 1984 that it was increasing the size of the active duty Ranger force to its highest level in 40 years. A Rifle Battalion and a Regimental Headquarters were activated and received their colors Oct. 3, 1984, at Fort Benning.
In the 30 years since the regiment was activated, the Rangers have participated in every contingency operation from Operation Just Cause to the War on Terror.
The Soldiers of the 75th Ranger Regiment have been continually deployed in support of the War on Terror since the initial invasion into Afghanistan Oct. 19, 2001, and in Iraq from March 20, 2003, to August 2010.
The regiment is still in continuous contact with the enemy in Afghanistan.
Odierno said he has no doubt the regiment will be just as important to the Army's future as it has been to its past.
"As we stand here today, we must recognize that the velocity of change in the strategic environment is unprecedented," he said. "The velocity of instability is growing around the world. Tensions and conflicts will continue to erupt across every continent. State and nonstate actors, transnational threats and challenges yet unknown ... are the issues we will continue to face. With the cause of conflict remaining in the human dimension, the regiment's unique skills and capabilities makes (it) unequivocally the tool of choice. Thus, the 75th Ranger Regiment will stand ready to execute the most difficult joint operations to include forceable entry missions required by our nation."
Gen. Joseph Votel, commander of Special Operations Command, agreed with Odierno's assessment of the need for the regiment to stay prepared.
"Very often, when I talk with young Rangers and Ranger NCOs, they ask me what is going to happen to the regiment after we draw down in places like Afghanistan," Votel said. "They're obviously concerned that they may be viewed as less important to the Army, to the Special Operations community or to the nation by not being constantly deployed in large numbers. I'm here today to tell you that is simply not the case. The Rangers have always made contributions to the nation throughout their history, as is illustrated by this memorial today. ... Rangers have always risen to the task at hand and been the great organization needed to address the hardest challenges."
There was also a moment of silence for those Rangers who have been killed in action. Col. Christopher Vanek, commander of the 75th Ranger Regiment, said it was important to remember those fallen Rangers and their Families during the anniversary celebration.
"We pause to remember those who have come before us, to include those who have given their very lives as Rangers in the U.S. Army," Vanek said. "We shall never forget the ultimate sacrifice these courageous and selfless Rangers have made while fighting on to the Ranger objective and never leaving a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy."
Other anniversary events included a state of the regiment address and a ceremony that saw eight individuals inducted into the Distinguished and Honorary Members of the Regiment.
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