Building Shelters

14-14. SHELTERS.
A shelter can protect you from the sun, insects, wind, rain, snow, hot or cold temperatures, and enemy observation. In some areas your need for shelter may take precedence over your need for food, possibly even your need for water. After determining your shelter site, you should keep in mind the type of shelter (protection) you need. You need to know how to make different types of shelters. Only two are described in this handbook.
a. Planning Considerations.
• How much time and effort are needed to build the shelter?
• Will the shelter adequately protect you from the elements (rain, snow, wind, sun, and so on)?
• Do you have tools to build it? If not, can you improvise tools from materials in the area?
• Do you have the type and amount of manmade materials needed to build it? If not, are there sufficient natural materials in the area?
b. Poncho Lean To. You need 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–
(1) 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.
(2) 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.
(3) 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.
(4) Tie the ropes about waist high on the trees (uprights). Use a round turn and two half hitches with quick release knot.
(5) 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.
(6) 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.
(7) 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.
(8) 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.
(9) To give additional protection from wind and rain, place boughs, brush, your rucksack, or other equipment at the sides of the lean to.
(10) 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.
(11) To increase your security from enemy observation, lower the silhouette of the lean to by making two modifications.
(a) Secure the support lines to the trees at knee height rather than waist height.
(b) 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.

Find out more about shelters in the Ranger Handbook

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.

Motivating and Inspiring

7-27. Motivation is the reason for doing something or the level of enthusiasm for doing it. Motivation
comes from an inner desire to put effort into meeting a need. People have a range of needs. They include
basics, such as survival and security and advanced needs, such as belonging and a sense of
accomplishment. Awareness of one’s own needs is most acute when needs go unfulfilled.

7-28. Army leaders use the knowledge of what motivates others to influence those they lead. Knowing
one’s Soldiers and others who may be influenced, gives leaders insight into guiding the team to higher
levels of performance. Understanding how motivation works provides insight into why people may take
action and how strongly they are driven to act.

7-29. While it is difficult to know others’ needs, it helps to consider three parts that define motivation:

• Arousal: A need or desire for something that is unfulfilled or below expectations.
• Direction: Goals or other guides that direct the course of effort and behavior.
• Intensity: The amount of effort that is applied to meet a need or reach a goal.

7-30. The arousal, direction, and intensity of motivation produce at least four things that contribute directly
to effective task performance. Motivation focuses attention on issues, goals, task procedures, or other
aspects of what needs to be done. Motivation produces effort that dictates how hard one tries. Motivation
generates persistence in terms of how long one tries. The fourth product of motivation is task strategies
that define how a task is performed—the knowledge and skills used to reach a particular goal. Know

Suspension Traverse

The suspension traverse is used to move personnel and equipment over rivers, ravines, and chasms, or up or down a vertical obstacle. By combining the transport-tightening system used during the rope bridge, an A Frame used for the vertical haul Line (Figure 9-24), and belay techniques device, units can make a suspension traverse (Figure 9-25 and Figure 9-26). Installing a suspension traverse can be slow and equipment intensive. Everyone must be well-trained and rehearsed in the procedures.
(1) Construction. The suspension traverse is constructed with static ropes. The max span that can be bridged is generally 75 percent length of the shortest rope. Planning considerations include those for rope bridge and vertical haul line.
(2) Equipment.
• Three static installation ropes.
• Seven sling ropes.
• Nine carabiners.
• One heavy duty double pulley.
• One locking carabiner.
• One canvas pad.

Traps and Snares-The Ranger Handbook

For an unarmed survivor or evader, or when the sound of a rifle shot could be a problem, trapping or snaring wild game is a good alternative. Several well placed traps have the potential to catch much more game than a Ranger with a rifle is likely to shoot.

a. To be effective with any type of trap or snare, you must

• Know the species of animal you intend to catch.

• Know how to construct a proper trap.

• Avoid alarming the prey with signs of your presence.

b. There are no catchall traps you can set for all animals. You must determine what species are in a given area and set your traps specifically with those animals in mind. Look for the following:

• Runs and trails.

• Tracks.

• Droppings.

• Chewed or rubbed vegetation.

• Nesting or roosting sites.

• Feeding and watering areas.

Cleaning and Eating Fowl-The 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
(1) Cut off its neck close to the body.
(2) 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.
(3) 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.

Fixed-Rope Installations.

 A fixed rope is anchored in place to help Rangers move over difficult terrain. Its simplest form is a rope tied off on the top of steep terrain. As terrain becomes steeper or more difficult, fixed rope systems may require intermediate anchors along the route. Planning considerations follow:
• Does the installation allow you to bypass the obstacle?
• (Tactical) Can obstacle be secured from construction through
negotiation, to disassembly?
• Is it in a safe and suitable location? Is it easy to negotiate? Does it
avoid obstacles?
• Are natural and artificial anchors available?
• Is the area safe from falling rock and ice?

Physical Training Activities. APRT

This addresses specific PRT goals in the areas of strength, endurance and mobility. It takes most of the training time (30 to 60 minutes). Conduct at least two strength and mobility days and two endurance and
mobility days each week, with one endurance and mobility training session consisting of speed running. Follow
the guidelines listed below:
􀁺 Conduct strength and mobility training every other day.
􀁺 Conduct endurance and mobility training (running) every other day. This also applies to foot marches
more than 5 km in the toughening phase.
􀁺 Avoid conducting foot marches and endurance and mobility training on the same or consecutive
days.
􀁺 Perform speed running once per week, preferably in the middle of the week. In the sustaining phase,
speed running may be conducted twice per week for well-conditioned Soldiers.
􀁺 A typical five-day training week will include two or three strength and mobility days that alternate
with two or three endurance and mobility days.
􀁺 Conduct the preparation drill before the APFT. If required, Soldiers may perform push-ups in
conditioning drill 1 on their knees. After the conclusion of the AFPT, the recovery drill is conducted.
􀁺 Schedule APFTs so Soldiers have advance notice. Preferably, the APFT should be scheduled on
Monday to allow for recovery provided by the weekend. If the APFT is not conducted on a Monday,
no PRT should be conducted on the day before the APFT.

The Goal of US Army Physical Readiness Training PRT

GOAL
5-1. The overall goal of the Army Physical Fitness Training Program is to develop Soldiers who are
physically capable and ready to perform their duty assignments or combat roles and to promote good health,
resiliency and physical readiness through exercise. To best plan PRT to achieve this goal, leaders must know
the PRT system. Chapter 2 explains the Army PRT goal. Adherence to the exercise principles of precision,
progression and integration are key to program effectiveness and injury control. These principles of exercise
should be used in developing all PRT schedules.

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.