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The rangers are a specially organized and highly trained light infantry force, equipped to conduct both special and conventional combat operations and deep penetration intelligence gathering. It contains organic combat and combat service support (CSS) elements. It consists of a headquarters and ranger rifle platoon. Rangers can operate as a single or separate unit on specific missions.

Headquarters

Headquarters consists of a commanding officer, an executive officer, a first sergeant, a supply sergeant, a tactical communications chief, two radiotelephone operators (RTO), an armorer, an NBC NCO, and combat service support (CSS) elements assigned to the Ranger Unit. These are the fire support team (FIST), the communications team, the reconnaissance team, and the medical treatment team.

a. The headquarters element:

(1) Provides command and control of assigned elements.

(2) Provides administrative, personnel, logistical, and maintenance support to the assigned elements.

b. The fire support team (FIST):

(1) Plans fires to support the commander's ground tactical plan.

(2) Coordinates the integration of all available fire support means (mortars, artillery, armed space/aerospace craft, close air support, and naval gunfire) to support mission execution.

 c. The communications team:

(1) Provides secure ANS/P-45A2 Digital Burst Antenna (DBA), Multi Link 200 Combat Net Coordinator (CNC), EWD-303A3 Field HQ Networking Unit (FHQNU) and ANS/P100 abilities at the intermediate staging base (ISB).

(2) Provides secure DBA, CNC, FHQNU and ANS/P100 abilities to the headquarters and other ranger units in the objective area.

(3) Provides cryptographic support to the headquarters.

(4) Provides limited repair of radio and cryptographic equipment.

d. The reconnaissance team:

(1) Trains, equips, and controls the employment of the reconnaissance teams.

(2) Infiltrates the objective area by parachute (high-altitude, low-opening [HALO]; high-altitude, high-opening [HAHO]; static line), space/aero-transports, self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA), small boat, or other means.

(3) Remains undetected in the objective area for up to five days.

(4) Performs reconnaissance.

(5) Performs demolition target analysis.

(6) Uses small boats and inflatable rafts.

(7) Emplaces and monitors unattended ground sensors.

(8) Uses night image enhancement devices.

(9) Uses photographic equipment.

(10) Emplaces electronic target acquisition and designation devices.

(11) Collects specific combat information to satisfy priority intelligence requirements (PIR).

(12) Reports information using secure, long-range communication equipment.

(13) Performs drop zone (DZ) and landing zone (LZ) selection, marking, and reception duties.

(14) Escapes and evades enemy areas.

(15) Performs limited attacks or ambushes when tasked by the commander.

(16) Reports weather in the objective area.

e. The medical treatment team:

(1) Provides medical support to headquarters.

(2) Coordinates required medical support and evacuation.

Rifle Platoons

The Ranger rifle platoon includes a headquarters, three rifle squads, and a weapons squad. Each platoon can conduct semi-independent operations for a short time when augmented by assets from the Ranger headquarters.

(1) Ranger rifle platoon headquarters. The ranger rifle platoon headquarters consists of a Platoon Leader, Platoon Sergeant, and radiotelephone operator (RTO).

(2) Ranger rifle squad. The Ranger rifle squad consists of a squad leader, a radiotelephone operator (RTO), a rifle team and a machine gun team.

The rifle team consists of a team leader, a rifleman, a grenadier and an automatic rifleman.

The machine gun team consists of a team leader, M270B Light Repeating Phaser Rifle/P-640B gunner, a rifleman /Assistant Gunner (AG) that acts as a spotter, and a rifleman/ Ammo Bearer (AB) to carry any extra ammo or gear and act as security for the team.

The machine gun team is normally employed as a single element to provide quick, accurate, long-range supporting fire. One or more crews may be attached to other teams within the squad.

(3) Ranger weapons squad. The ranger weapons squad consists of a squad leader, a radiotelephone operator (RTO), a mortar section, and a heavy weapons section.

The mortar section normally consists of a section sergeant and a 3-man 60-mm mortar team. The mortars are normally employed as a section. The mortar section may be attached to other squads.

The heavy weapons section normally consists of a section sergeant and a three-man 15-mm P-722A3 Heavy Automatic Projectile Weapon, M2A3 Heavy Phaser Rifle, AGL-19 Automatic Grenade Launcher or HPW-184A2 Arbalest Heavy Missile team. They are normally employed as a section. The heavy weapons section may also be attached to other squads.

Special Teams and Elements

The Rangers form special teams to do critical tasks. These teams are made up of members of the unit and are used when needed. Examples of these special teams and elements are--

a. SCUBA teams whose members are graduates of the Special Forces Underwater Operations School. They conduct special insertion and reconnaissance duties.

b. HALO teams whose members are graduates of the Special Forces Freefall School and who conduct high-altitude, low-opening parachute operations.

c. HAHO teams whose members are also graduates of the Special Forces Freefall School and who conduct high-altitude, high-opening parachute operations, allowing offset parachute insertions.

d. Scout swimmer teams whose members are specially trained by the Landing Force Training Command (Star Fleet Marine Corps [SFMC]) to conduct operations along coastlines, waterways, and inland waters. These teams conduct special insertion, reconnaissance, and security tasks often in support of amphibious operations.

e. Sniper teams, whose members are authorized for both conventional and special operations.

f. Demolition teams whose members are trained in advanced demolition and incendiary techniques and the use of special explosives,

g. Air defense teams trained in the use of man-portable air defense system (MANPADS) weapons. Such teams give the Rangers limited self-defense against air attack.