How long is the army rangers bootcamp?

Answer 1

The Army does not have boot camp - in the Army, you either go through Basic Combat Training and then Advanced Individual Training, or else you go through One Station Unit Training, which is essentially BCT and AIT rolled into one package (and this practice is more common for the Combat Arms branches).

The Ranger programme is something entirely separate. For admission into the Ranger Regiment after completion of BCT/AIT or OSUT, you would undergo the Ranger Indoctrination Programme (RIP), which is two weeks - this is not the actual school you attend to earn the Ranger tab, but rather, a testing programme for candidates who wish to serve in the line companies of a Ranger battalion.

The actual Ranger school itself is around 61 days long.

Note that Ranger School is not limited exclusively to those serving in Ranger Regiment (most attendees actually aren't from the 75th Ranger Regiment), nor is it limited exclusively to the Army - the Marines, Air Force, and foreign militaries all send personnel through the school, and this is actually how the Rangers of the Irish Defence Force were established.

Nor does everyone serving in the line companies of the various Ranger battalions already have their Ranger tab. It is not actually a requirement in the Ranger regiment except for those in or looking to advance into leadership positions.

--- Update---

RIP/ RAP has been replaced by RASP - "Ranger Assessment & Selection Program". This is the "barrier test" for those wishing to serve in the 75th Infantry (Ranger) Regt..

RASP lasts 8 weeks: the first 4 weeks test physical capabilities, motivation, & essential military skills. Lots of high speed runs, ruck marches, obstacle courses, combatives, basic land navigation, weapon handling etc, & team exercises - it culminates in the week at Cole Field. This is designed to grind candidates down through extreme physical & psychological stress: limited food & sleep; lots of hard but repititious individual & team tasks, all designed to test motivation & "intestinal fortitude". Typically, half the candidates fail to make it to the end of week 4.

The second 4 week period focuses on teaching & assessing competencies relevant to on-going operational requirements: eg SOPs/ IADs, patrolling & land navigation, infiltration/ extraction techniques, vehicle handling, communications, combat first aid etc.. Its purpose is twofold: first, intensive tuition in the essentials; second, it filters out those not really sufficiently sharp & adaptable for Ranger service who were physically fit, & lucky, enough to get through weeks 1-4! Typically, a third of surviving candidates fail this phase.

Overall, therefore, about 30-40% of candidates at RASP will pass the course & enter the 75th. After a period of probationary service with the Regt (typically 6-12 months) those deemed suitable (by no means all are!) for permanent transfer will be sent to the Ranger School. Ranger School is an intensive 9 week course in small unit operations, planning & leadership, with particular emphasis on reconnaissance & raiding. Passing Ranger School is a prerequisite for permanent assignment to the 75th, & progression to leadership positions.

Soldiers who've passed RASP, serve with the 75th, & passed Ranger School are known as "Scrolled & Tabbed Rangers" because they wear both the 75th Regimental Scroll & the Ranger Tab on their uniforms. These are the soldiers who'll go on to take all sorts of specialist courses (eg sniper, HALO/ HAHO parachuting, combat medic, combat diver, mountain leader etc ) to enhance their skill sets/ capabilities as special ops troops.

Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, Sailors (and even occassionally Coastguards) who've been to Ranger School & passed are "Tabbed Rangers" (because they're entitled to wear the Ranger Tab), but unless they've actually served with the 75th they're not really "Rangers" - just "Ranger trained".

Answer 2

Army Rangers go through the same Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training or One Station Unit Training that their counterparts not assigned to the Ranger Regiment go through. The selection process for the Rangers begins after the soldier has first completed their BCT/AIT or OSUT.