U.S. Army Ranger Force Utilization a Continuing Inability to Correlate Missions with Capabilities

Abstract

This monograph examines how well currently planned missions for Ranger forces correlate with their present capabilities. The monograph first examines historical examples of Ranger force misuse, and focuses on the doctrinal reasons behind these events. The analysis reveals a continuous lack of consensus within the U.S. Army as to the purpose of Ranger forces. The examination continues with an analysis of current Ranger unit capabilities and present doctrine governing the use of these forces. Analysis shows a continuing confusion over exactly what missions Ranger units are designed to perform. This conflicting guidance in current manuals is due partly to the lengthy history of confusion over use of Ranger forces, and partly due to U.S. unfamiliarity with the emerging area of special operations. This situation creates conditions for future misuse of Ranger units if efforts are not made to narrowly define Ranger missions that correlate with their present capabilities in unified command war plans.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 05, 1988
Accession Number
ADA208204

Entities

People

  • Steve A. Fondacaro

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Army Rangers
  • Civil War
  • Combat Operations
  • Department Of Defense
  • Doctrine
  • Governments
  • Military History
  • New York
  • Reconnaissance
  • Second World War
  • Security
  • Special Operations Forces
  • Students
  • Tactical Reconnaissance
  • United States
  • United States Special Operations Command
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Military Training and Readiness Simulation
  • Systems Analysis and Design