What Do You Need to Know?
Evaluation

Grading System

Understanding how you're evaluated is as important as preparing physically. The Major Minus / Spot Report system is the core mechanism that determines whether you pass or fail each phase.

How You're Graded
Patrol Grades: GO or NO-GO — evaluated by Ranger Instructors (RIs) during graded patrols
Graded Positions: PL, PSG, SL, TL, WSL, FO, RTO, Medic
Minimum Requirement: 1 GO patrol per phase in a graded leadership position
Evaluated On: Planning (TLPs/OPORD), execution (troop movement, actions on OBJ), leadership (initiative, composure, corrections)
Recycle & Day Zero
Recycle: If you don't get a GO by end of phase, you recycle that phase (if slots are available)
Day Zero Recycle: Recycled students restart from Day 1 of that phase — no credit carried over
RI Discretion: RIs document everything — the system is subjective but consistent across the cadre

Key: You typically get 2-3 opportunities per phase to earn a GO. Make every patrol count — don't assume you'll get another chance.

Major Plus / Major Minus
Major Plus: Exceptional performance noted by RI — helps offset negatives but does not guarantee a pass
Major Minus: Serious deficiency that counts against your record
  • Safety violation
  • Failure to control element
  • Sleeping on watch or duty position
  • Loss of sensitive item
  • Negligent discharge
  • Quitting on a movement
  • Failure to execute a critical task
Accumulation: 2+ major minuses in a phase can result in a board review or drop regardless of patrol grades
Spot Reports
Spot Report (Unsat): Formal written documentation of a significant failure or infraction
Major Unsat Spot Report: The most serious — can result in immediate dismissal or board action
Triggers: Missing 3+ critical packing list items, safety violations, integrity issues, refusal to train
Follows You: Spot reports go into your Ranger School file and carry forward through each phase

Spot Report vs. Major Minus: Spot Reports are formal written documentation placed in your file. Major Minuses are RI-tracked evaluation notes used in grading decisions.

Peer Evaluations
When: Conducted at the end of each phase
Method: Rank all squad/platoon members from best to worst
Bottom 1/3: Landing in the lowest third is a failure flag — can result in recycle or drop
Criteria: Competence, teamwork, effort, attitude, pulling your weight
Peer Eval Tips
Help others whenever you can — carry extra weight on movements
Stay positive — attitude is contagious and noticed by everyone
Don't be the person who disappears during work details
Share food, share knowledge, share the load

Reality: Peers see everything the RIs don't. Your reputation is built 24/7 — not just on graded patrols.

Phase Pass Requirements

GO patrol in a graded leadership position ✓ Required
Peer evaluation not in bottom 1/3 ✓ Required
No disqualifying spot reports ✓ Required
No excessive major minuses ✓ Required
RI recommendation to advance ✓ Required

All five criteria must be met to advance to the next phase. Failure in any single area can result in recycle or dismissal.

Physical Requirements

PT Standards

All Ranger students must pass the Ranger Physical Assessment (RPA) during RAP Week. These are the minimum standards — aim higher.

Ranger Physical Assessment
RANGER APFT
Push-ups (2 min)49 minimum
Sit-ups (2 min)59 minimum
5-Mile Run40:00 max
Chin-ups (palms inward)6 minimum
The Ranger APFT uses a PASS/FAIL standard for push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups. The 5-mile run time is the actual recorded time.
Combat Water Survival Test
CWST Events
40' Log Walk Rope DropCapable
75' Suspension TraverseCapable
Equipment Removal / 15m SwimVerified
Equipment removal: Remove FLC/Weapon, swim 15m with uniform (ACU/OCP) and boots. All events are pass/fail.
12-Mile Foot March
Ruck March Standard
Distance12 miles
Minimum Ruck Weight (dry)35 lbs
Time Limit3 hours
Rucksack weighing a minimum of 35 lbs (dry weight) plus Ranger's individual combat load. Must be completed in 3 hours or less.
Sister Services / RPA
Ranger Combat Fitness Assessment
.5 Mile RunPass
Scale 6-ft WallPass
25m IMTPass
25M Water Can CarryPass
50m Skedco Drag (90 lbs)Pass
Lift 16x 40lb Sandbags to 62" PlatformPass
.5 mi Run (ACU)12:30 max
4-Mile Run (seasonal APFU, 25 min recovery)32:00 max
The RPA is conducted in ACU and must be completed in 12:30 or less. Immediately followed by a 4-mile run in 32:00 or less. Sister services rank waiver must include PASS/FAIL results.
Tactical Tasks

RTT Standards

Ranger Tactical Tasks (RTT) are hands-on evaluations during RAP Week. You must demonstrate proficiency on each task. Study these before you arrive.

RTT #1
Maintain an M249 Machine Gun
  • 071-COM-4025 — Maintain an M249 Machine Gun
  • Clear, disassemble, assemble, and perform functions check
  • Match groups with correct nomenclature within 3 minutes
  • Assemble and perform functions check within 3 minutes
RTT #2
Clear, Load, Reduce Stoppage, Unload, and Clear an M249
  • 071-COM-4027 — Load an M249 Machine Gun
  • 071-COM-4028 — Unload an M249 Machine Gun
  • 071-COM-4029 — Correct Malfunctions of an M249
  • All steps performed correctly in sequence within 30 seconds
RTT #3
Maintain an M240B Machine Gun
  • 171-122-1012 — Perform Operator Maintenance on an M240 Series
  • Clear, disassemble, assemble, and perform functions check
RTT #4
Clear, Load, Reduce Stoppage, Unload, and Clear an M240B
  • 071-025-0003 — Load an M240B/M240L Machine Gun
  • 071-025-0004 — Unload an M240B/M240L Machine Gun
  • 071-025-0005 — Correct Malfunctions of an M240B/M240L
RTT #5
Employ/Recover an M18A1 Claymore Mine
  • 071-325-4427 — Employ an M18A1 Claymore Mine
  • 071-325-4426 — Recover an M18A1 Claymore Mine
  • Non-electric initiation only
RTT #6
Communicate by Tactical Radio
  • 171-300-0063 — Operate SINCGARS ASIP Radio
  • Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System
  • Advanced System Improvement Program (ASIP)
RTT #7
Communicate by MBITR
  • 113-100-1138 — Operate Multi-band Inter/Intra Team Radio
  • MBITR radio operations
Land Navigation Tasks

In addition to RTT tasks, you must demonstrate land navigation proficiency on these individual tasks.

071-COM-1006 Navigate from One Point on the Ground to Another Point while Dismounted
071-329-1009 Convert Azimuths
071-329-1004 Determine the Elevation of a Point on the Ground Using a Map
071-329-1014 Locate an Unknown Point on a Map and on the Ground by Intersection
071-329-1015 Locate an Unknown Point on a Map and on the Ground by Resection
071-329-1018 Determine Direction without a Compass
071-COM-1008 Measure Distance on a Map
071-COM-1011 Orient a Map Using a Lensatic Compass