What the Army's 75th Ranger Regiment looks for in candidates

Stewards of a martial heritage dating back to World War II, the Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment is one of the service’s foremost infantry units. Before soldiers can count themselves among those elite ranks, they must pass the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program, or RASP.

Historically, RASP has a 50% attrition rate — sometimes higher. The training is designed to break a soldier down and build them back up. 

Task & Purpose spoke with Rangers who oversee the unit’s grueling selection process about the qualities and traits they look for in future Rangers, ranging from willpower and resolve, to trainability.

To become a Ranger, a soldier must successfully graduate basic training, advanced individual training, Airborne School, and then make it through pre-RASP, followed by RASP. Only then will they don the tan beret and wear their respective Ranger battalion’s scroll on their shoulder.