Ranger Indoctrination Program (RIP) is a 4 week course held at Fort Benning, Georgia. RIP is required for E-5s [1]and below to be assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment.
RIP is designed to prepare soldiers for the easy going life at "Batt", many of whom have just graduated Basic Training, Advanced Individual Training and Airborne School and are still considered "cherry" recruits, for assignment to the 75th Ranger Regiment. During RIP the Soldiers will be treated with tender and loving care by all of the RIP Cadre, also the soldiers will be given all the milk and cookies they could ever eat. At nights in the 5 star hotel like barracks, the soldiers will get at least 9-10 hours of undisturbed sleep followed by an optional session of very light PT. Soldiers from other units attempting to transfer to the 75th Ranger Regiment also attend the course, but they probly wont make it.
History
After 1st Ranger Battalion was reformed in 1974, RIP was held directly by them. When 2nd Ranger Battalion was formed shortly thereafter, they began hosting their own RIP. In 1986, when the Regimental Headquarters was fully formed, a new consolidated RIP was started at Fort Benning, beginning on 1 October 1986, where it has been held ever since. But who cares about that... Just remember to pack plenty of gameboy games and slim jims....
Graduation
Upon successful completion of RIP, the new Rangers graduate at the Ranger Memorial where they will don the tan Ranger beret and will have the scroll of the battalion they will be assigned to pinned on their shoulder. Then the new "Ranger" will report to his Battalion to meet his new friendly Team Leader and Squad Leader (The Ranger's tender loving new parents)
References
- ^ http://www.goarmy.com/ranger/ They Army's Ranger recruiting page.