Ranger 1

Ranger 1 develops high physical, disciplinary, and tactical skills, and prepares many future officers for effective combat arms leadership. The club accepts cadets who meet its stringent standards. Ranger 1 has many traditional annual activities including: a 5-mile unit ruck march, rappelling from the top of Spartan Stadium, arduous term-long recruit training, patrolling, and squad tactical exercise requirements each term.

The club is steeped in history. In 1962, a group of energetic ROTC cadets realized a need for more challenging leadership and tactical training in order to better prepare themselves to lead combat units in the growing conflict in Indochina. The Army approved Spartan Counter Guerilla Company for activation in 1963. In the fall of 1965, the Army renamed the organization Commando 1 and a year later redesignated it Ranger 1, the title it carries today.

Ranger 1 continued to “Lead the Way” at MSU ROTC during the 1970’s. On 29 November 1973, Ranger 1LT Michael P. Mulvaney reported completion of the Demonstration Hall rappel platform; the tower benefits hundreds of cadets, firemen and recreational mountaineers. On 17 January 1974, the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry assigned the black and gold shoulder cord as a Ranger 1 uniform accouterment.

Ranger 1 sends many of its members to U.S. Army Airborne, Air Assault, and Northern Warfare courses. The unit justified its reputation by selecting its best to compete nationwide for an opportunity to take on the U.S. Army’s Ranger course. During the 1970’s and 1980’s, Ranger 1 won, on average, one allocation per year and, except for serious injury, that member of Ranger 1 won the coveted Ranger Tab.

Ranger 1 continues its mission of training MSU Army ROTC cadets for combat arms leadership. A demanding 10-week recruit phase identifies those who have the desire and drive to meet the stringent standards. The club only accepts a few recruits each term into Michigan State University’s premier leadership proving ground.