Best Ranger Competition

The David E. Grange Jr. Best Ranger Competition is an annual competition held in Fort Benning, Georgia hosted by the Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade. It is a two-man team competition where competitors must be active military who are Airborne Ranger School Qualified^[1] While competitors must meet the aforementioned qualifications, the event itself is open to the public. The 33rd Annual David E. Grange Jr. Best Ranger Competition will take place from 15-17 April 2016.

History

In 1981, a civilian organization was formed under the name of Chairborne Rangers, Inc. The organization was formed under Dick Leandri,who was a personal friend of the former Commanding General of Fort Benning, Lieutenant General David E. Grange, Jr. Leandri wanted to honor Grange, so he and several other businessmen formed Chairborne with the purpose of supporting an event.^[2] The popularity of the event has grown so much since its inception, that many bases hold Pre Best Ranger competitions to select the best teams available.

BRC History

    In July 1981, the Ranger Department was asked to design and conduct a “Ranger Olympics” in order to identify the best two-man Ranger team in the Army.  From the very beginning the objective was clear.  The competition should place extreme demands on the team’s physical, mental, and technical abilities as Rangers.  The standards of performance must vastly exceed those required of the average Soldier.

    The Best Ranger Competition has been appropriately named in honor of Lieutenant General David E. Grange, JR., former Ranger Instructor, Ranger Department Director, and Commanding General of Fort Benning.

    The first two Best Ranger Competitions were held as competitions between teams from each of the three Ranger Department Divisions.  But in 1984 the Competition was expanded to include teams from throughout the Army.  Interest in the Best Ranger Competition has risen to such a high level that many of the participating commands now conduct preliminary competitions to select the teams which will represent them at Fort Benning each year.  
    
    The Best Ranger Competition is an established event which Rangers throughout the military community regard as one of the toughest, most physically demanding competitions in the world.  The competition has grown from a local contest into an Army-wide competition.  To support this ultimate test of physical, mental, and technical abilities, many hours of planning, preparation, and coordination are necessary.  Special recognition goes out to the “Chairborne Rangers” from Clearwater, Florida.  This group of patriotic and civic-minded citizens conceived the idea for this competition.  They have supported the Best Ranger Competition from the very beginning.  Their continued support is greatly appreciated.

1 Typical qualifications: a. Expert in profession b. High level of physical and mental stamina

2 Characteristics: a. Average age: 28 b. Average height: 5’10” c. Average weight: 165 d. Rank: Specialist to Major e. Volunteer f. Airborne Ranger qualified g. Decathlon caliber h. Soldier – athlete i. 26% are prior competitors

3 Preparation process a. Exceeds Ranger PT standards b. Volunteers for competition c. Rigorous train up phase at unit d. Unit identifies 2 man buddy teams e. Unit conducts preliminary trials f. Unit selects final teams g. Teams report to RTB h. 60+ hours of continuous competition

4 Best Ranger Statistics a. 60+ Continuous hours b. 60+ miles covered on foot c. Competitor carries 80+ pounds of equipment during competition d. No programmed sleep e. 26 military tasks i. Move ii. Shoot iii. Communicate

5 Historical event listing a. Best Ranger Physical Readiness Assessment (multiple physical events combined over an unknown distance and duration) b. RPFT (Push-ups, Sit-ups, 2 mile run, and Pull-ups) c. Malvesti Obstacle Course d. Marksmanship (M4, M9, M240B, M249, M203, Shotgun, and Foreign weapons) e. Water Confidence Test f. Airborne Operation g. 20+ mile foot march h. Map reading i. Call for fire j. Use of military GPS k. Operate military communication devices l. First aid m. Knot test n. Weapons assembly o. Demolitions p. Hand grenades q. 20+ mile orienteering course r. Helocast and swim s. Darby Queen obstacle course t. Numerous buddy runs u. Numerous unknown distance run or foot movement v. Multiple combat oriented stress shoots w. Canoe or boat movement x. Multiple mystery events (competitor receives no information on event until they arrive at starting point) y. Mountaineering and climbing

Cancellations

The events has been cancelled two times since 1982. The first was in 1991, due to Operation Desert Storm, and the second was in 2003 during the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

List of Winners

References