Site Assessment-From the Ranger Handbook February 2011

Rangers should determine the following information while reconnoitering and selecting a mountain site:

(1) The size, slope, amount of surface debris, and the area covered by shadows and obstacles in and around the site.

(2) The approximate direction, speed, and characteristics of the wind.

(3) The inbound route, if necessary. When the pilot cannot land due to a steep slope, the aircraft may terminate at a hover to off load troops and supplies.

(4) The departure route, which should orient into the wind and over the lowest obstacles.

US Army Official Ranger Handbook-Revised February 2011

The US Army Ranger School updated the Ranger Handbook in February 2011. This is the latest edition and available at Amazon.com.

Excerpt from the Ranger Handbook Updated Feb 2011

RANGER CREED
Recognizing that I volunteered as a Ranger, fully knowing the hazards of my chosen profession, I
will always endeavor to uphold the prestige, honor, and high esprit de corps of the Rangers.


Acknowledging the fact that a Ranger is a more elite Soldier who arrives at the cutting edge of
battle by land, sea, or air, I accept the fact that as a Ranger my country expects me to move further, faster, and fight harder than any other Soldier.

Never shall I fail my comrades I will always keep myself mentally alert, physically strong, and morally straight and I will shoulder more than my share of the task whatever it may be, one hundred percent and then some.

Gallantly will I show the world that I am a specially selected and well trained Soldier. My courtesy to superior officers, neatness of dress, and care of equipment shall set the example for others to follow.

Energetically will I meet the enemies of my country. I shall defeat them on the field of battle for
I am better trained and will fight with all my might. Surrender is not a Ranger word. I will never
leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy and under no circumstances will I ever embarrass my country.
Readily will I display the intestinal fortitude required to fight on to the Ranger objective and
complete the mission, though I be the lone survivor.

SH 21-76 Ranger Handbook

SH 21-76 Ranger Handbook is now updated with the latest content. Be sure to check it out...

Giant Print Ranger Handbook

The Giant print Ranger Handbook will be available very soon. We are just finishing the format. Current version has 7 font. New version will have 11 font. What a difference.

Printed Ranger Handbook is here.

Ranger Handbook-Shelters

1) Poncho Lean-To. It takes only a short time and minimal equipment to build this lean-to. You need a poncho, 6 to 10 feet of rope, three stakes about 6 inches long, and two trees (or two poles) 7 to 9 feet apart. Before you select the trees you will use (or decide where to place the poles), check the wind direction. Make sure the back of your lean-to will be into the wind. To make the lean-to:

(a) Tie off the hood of the poncho. To do this, pull the draw cord tight; roll the hood long ways, fold it into thirds, and tie it with the draw cord.

(b) Cut the rope in half. On one long side of the poncho, tie half of the rope to one corner grommet, and the other half to the other corner grommet.

(c) Attach a drip stick (about a 4-inch stick) to each rope 1/4 to 3/4 inches away from the grommet. These drip sticks will keep rainwater from running down the ropes into the lean-to. Using drip lines is another way to prevent dripping inside the shelter. Tie lines or string about 4 inches long to each grommet along the top edge of the shelter. This allows water to run to and down the line without dripping into the shelter.

(d) Tie the ropes about waist high on the trees (uprights). Use a round turn and two half hitches with quick-release knot.

(e) Spread the poncho into the wind and anchor to the ground. To do this, put three sharpened sticks through the grommets and into the ground.

(f) If you plan to use the lean-to for more than one night, or if you expect rain, make a center support to the lean-to. You can do this by stretching a rope between two upright poles or trees that are in line with the center of the poncho.

(g) Tie another rope to the poncho hood; pull it upward so that it lifts the center of the poncho, and tie it firmly to the rope stretched between the two uprights.

(h) Another method is to cut a stick to place upright under the center of the lean-to. This method, however, will restrict your space and movements in the shelter.

(i) To give additional protection from wind and rain, place boughs, brush, your rucksack, or other equipment at the sides of the lean-to.

(j) To reduce heat loss to the ground, place some type of insulating material, such as leaves or pine needles, inside your lean-to.

Note: When at rest, as much as 80 percent of your body heat can be lost to the ground.

(k) To increase your security from enemy observation, lower the silhouette of the lean-to by making

two modifications.When at rest, as much as 80 percent of your body heat can be lost to the ground.

(l) To increase your security from enemy observation, lower the silhouette of the lean-to by making

two modifications.

•  Secure the support lines to the trees knee-high rather than waist-high.Secure the support lines to the trees knee-high rather than waist-high.
•  Use two knee-high sticks in the two center grommets (sides of lean-to), and angle the poncho to the ground, securing it with sharpened sticks as above.Use two knee-high sticks in the two center grommets (sides of lean-to), and angle the poncho to the ground, securing it with sharpened sticks as above.

How to Prepare and Eat Fowl-Ranger Handbook

Fowl. Your first step after killing a fowl for eating or preserving is to pluck its feathers. If plucking is impractical, you can skin the fowl. Keep in mind, however, that a fowl cooked with the skin on retains more food value. Waterfowl are easier to pluck while dry, but other fowl are easier to pluck after scalding. After you pluck the fowl--

• Cut off its neck close to the body.
• Cut an incision in the abdominal cavity and clean out the insides. Save the neck, liver, and heart for stew. Thoroughly clean and dry the entrails to use for cordage.
• Wash out the abdominal cavity with fresh clean water. You can boil fowl or cook it on a spit over a fire. You should boil scavenger birds such as vultures and buzzards for at least 20 minutes to kill any parasites. Use the feathers from fowl for insulating your shoes clothing, or bedding. You can also use feathers for fish lures.

Standing Orders for Rogers' Rangers-From the Ranger Handbook

STANDING ORDERS, ROGERS' RANGERS

1.  Don't forget nothing.

2.  Have your musket clean as a whistle, hatchet scoured, sixty rounds powder and ball, and be ready to march at a minute's warning.

3.  When you're on the march, act the way you would if you was sneaking up on a deer. See the enemy first.

4.  Tell the truth about what you see and what you do. There is an army depending on us for correct information. You can lie all you please when you tell other folks about the Rangers, but don't never lie to a Ranger or officer.

5.  Don't never take a chance you don't have to.

6.  When we're on the march we march single file, far enough apart so one shot can't go through two men.

7.  If we strike swamps, or soft ground, we spread out abreast, so it's hard to track us.

8.  When we march, we keep moving till dark, so as to give the enemy the least possible chance at us.

9.  When we camp, half the party stays awake while the other half sleeps.

10.If we take prisoners, we keep' em separate till we have had time to examine them, so they can't cook up a story between' em.

11.Don't ever march home the same way. Take a different route so you won't be ambushed.

12.No matter whether we travel in big parties or little ones, each party has to keep a scout 20 yards ahead, 20 yards on each flank, and 20 yards in the rear so the main body can't be surprised and wiped out.

13.Every night you'll be told where to meet if surrounded by a superior force.

14.Don't sit down to eat without posting sentries.

15.Don't sleep beyond dawn. Dawn's when the French and Indians attack.

16.Don't cross a river by a regular ford.

17.If somebody's trailing you, make a circle, come back onto your own tracks, and ambush the folks that aim to ambush you.

18.Don't stand up when the enemy's coming against you. Kneel down, lie down, hide behind a tree.

19.Let the enemy come till he's almost close enough to touch, then let him have it and jump out and finish him up with your hatchet.

--MAJOR ROBERT ROGERS, 1759