Ranger competition generates best of the best

By Staff Sgt. Neysa CanfieldJanuary 29, 2019

Ranger competition generates best of the best
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – 1st Lt. Nick Rodriguez, with 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conducts a pull-up Jan. 10, 2019, during a Ranger Physical Fitness Test (RPFT) at Iron Horse Park. The RPFT was the first of ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Ranger competition generates best of the best
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – 1st Lt. Connor Bestwick, with 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, walks on a trail during an 8-mile ruck march Jan. 10, 2019, at Fort Carson. The ruck march was part of the 4th Inf. Div. Bes... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Ranger competition generates best of the best
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – 1st Lt. Clayton Stanley, with 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, runs up a hill Jan. 10, 2019, during a 2.5-mile Interceptor Body Armor run on Fort Carson. The run was part of the 4th Inf. ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Ranger competition generates best of the best
4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – 1st Lt. Nick Rodriguez, with 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, catches his breath during a 600-meter swim Jan. 10, 2019, at Iron Horse Physical Fitness Center. The swim was the last event ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Ranger competition generates best of the best
5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Chief Warrant Officer 2 Joshua Detwiler, with 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, runs down a hill during an 8-mile ruck march Jan. 10, 2019. The ruck march was part of the 4th Inf. D... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Rangers from different units throughout the 4th Infantry Division put their physical and mental abilities to the test Jan. 10, 2019, during the 4th Inf. Div. Best Ranger Competition tryouts.

Rangers met at Iron Horse Park and began their morning with the Ranger Physical Fitness Test (RPFT), which included two-minutes of metronome pushups, two minutes of metronome sit-ups, one minute of metronome pull-ups and a 5-mile run. The metronome workouts used a device that produced an audible sound at a regular interval so that the exercise can be performed to a rhythm. Rangers followed the RPFT with an 8-mile foot march, directly into a 2.5-mile interceptor body armor (IBA) run, and concluded with a 600-meter swim.

"The purpose of the tryouts was to identify the right population of Ranger qualified leaders who have the potential of continuing to train and prepare for the Best Ranger Competition," said Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy Speichert, the coach for the 4th Inf. Div. Best Ranger Team. "The different back-to-back events allow me to assess the ability of these leaders to continue physical events without much rest in between."

Speichert said although the events are physically challenging, it's important for Rangers to have mental strength and to understand how to work as a team.

"It's important to have resiliency when you are going through 72 hours of back-to-back events and making decisions when you are tired and hurting," he explained. "You also have to be a team player because one person doesn't win the competition, both of the individuals have to execute every single task together to collectively win."

Although the tryouts were challenging, Lt. Jacob Boyle, an infantry officer assigned to the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div., was excited to train with the team and possibly represent the Ivy Division at Fort Benning for the competition.

"We have a great group of Rangers and I am excited about our 4th Inf. Div. team as we prepare for this upcoming competition," said Speichert.

Related Links:

ACFT

Army.mil: Worldwide News

Best Ranger Competition