The Competition
In July 1981, the Chairborne Rangers, a civilian organization that supports Rangers, asked the Ranger Training Department to design and conduct a "Ranger Olympics" in order to identify the best two-man Ranger team in the Army. From the beginning, the objective was clear, 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 by the average Soldier.
The first two Best Ranger Competitions were held as competitions between teams from each of the three Ranger Department Camps. In 1984, the Competition 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 that will represent their unit at Fort Benning each year. The competition is a 3-day event consisting of physical and mental tasks undertaken with very little rest between events. Selected events must be completed to remain in the competition. The historical attrition rate averages approximately 60%. Competitors are not aware of test sequence until arriving at the test site. The competition has grown over the years to be one of the highlights for Fort Benning with multi-media coverage and outstanding guest speakers.
Though participants are Airborne Ranger School Qualified, not all are full-time members of the 75th Ranger Regiment. Participant teams come from various backgrounds such as: Infantry, Special Forces, Armored Cavalry, Special Operations, National Guard, and Reserves, just to name a few. Some teams even hail from other services, such as the Marines.
2012 Event Schedule
Friday, 13 April
- 0600 - 0615
- 0615 - 1030
- 0930 - 1200
- 1030 - 1500
- 1200 - 1630
- 1330 - 1900
- 1530 - 2230
- 2230 - 0600
- Opening Ceremony
- Foot Movement #1
- Darby Queen
- FRIES CACTF
- Urban Obstacle Course
- Day Orienteering
- Malone Rangers
- Foot Movement #2
- Camp Rogers
- Camp Rogers
- Camp Darby
- Selby CACTF
- Selby CACTF
- Malone 15 & 24
- Malone 15 & 24
- Todd Field (Finish)
Saturday, 14 April
- 0001 - 0600
- 0800 - 1600
- 1600 - 1800
- 1800 - 0200
- Night Orienteering
- Day Stakes
- Buddy Run
- Night Orienteering
- Todd Field (Finish)
- Todd Field/Krilling Range
- Malvesti Field
- Todd Field (Finish)
Sunday, 15 April
- 0001 - 0200
- 0100 - 0400
- 0730 - 1130
- 0900 - 1300
- 1030 - 1430
- 1030 - 1430
- 1500 - 1700
- 1700 - UTC
- Night Orienteering
- Night Stakes
- Helocast/Swim
- Water Confidence Test
- FRIES onto York Filed
- Leader Challenge
- Buddy Run
- Super Supper
- Todd Field (Finish)
- Todd Field
- Victory Pond
- Victory Pond
- McGinnis-Wickam Hall
- McGinnis-Wickam Hall
- Freedom Hall (Finish)
- Freedom Hall
Monday, 16 April
- 1000 - 1100
- Awards Ceremony
- Marshall Auditorium at McGinnis-Wickam Hall
Location
Instructions for Post Access
Open Access Points:
I-185 / Visitors Center
Custer Road (Sand Hill)
South Lumpkin Road
1st DIV ROAD / Columbus Cusseta Road (Entrance / Exit Southbound Only)
Phenix City (Adjacent to Lawson AAF)
1ST DIV ROAD (Entrance / Exit Northbound Only on East Side of Highway 27)
Post Access Checklist
Go to I-185 access point and bring the following:
Valid Driver's License
Proof of Insurance
Valid Registration (Tag)
Request 3 day pass
Notes
1. All times are approximate with the exception of the Opening Ceremony. The actual start and finish times of events will vary based on competitor performance.
2. The Opening Ceremony will be held in front of the Camp Roger's sign at RTB Headquarters, located at the intersection of Hourglass and Old Cusetta Roads. Parking will be available on Old Cusetta Road. Please do not use Jamestown Road to access the RTB, as this will interfere with our first event.
3. Strip maps to the RTB will be located at the I-185 Access Gate, and the 8th Division Road Access Gate. Maps to each of the event location will be provided at the RTB Headquarters.
4. The most spectator friendly events are the day Ranger stakes on Saturday at Todd Field, and the water events on Sunday at Victory Pond.