A National Guard Ranger Bn?
Ray Vawter, a civilian for the Army Research Laboratory and in human intelligence in the Washington, DC Army National Guard, makes the case for an Army NG Ranger battalion to augment the 75th Ranger Regiment’s four active (three operational, one support) battalions.
I mean it makes sense, as there have long been a pair of NG SF Groups, the 19th and the 20th, which date back to the Cuban Missile Crisis and have deployed all over the world– seeing plenty of trigger time– in the past two decades.
Further, a specially formed NG Ranger Company [Co D, 151st (Ranger) Inf, Indiana NG] deployed to Vietnam back in the day.
Indiana Rangers: The Army Guard in Vietnam. By Mort Kunstler. Company D (Ranger), 151st Infantry, Indiana Army National Guard arrived in Vietnam in December 1968. As part of the II Field Force, the Indiana Rangers were assigned reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering missions. Operating deep in enemy territory, Ranger patrols engaged enemy units while conducting raids, ambushes, and surveillance missions. “Delta Company” achieved an impressive combat record during its tour in Vietnam; unit members were awarded 510 medals for valor and service.
Two valid points from Vawter’s essay:
The recruitment crisis is arguably the biggest challenge facing the military today. A National Guard Ranger battalion could help address this problem in at least two ways. First, just as there are service-inclined members of the population who thrive in reserve components because their lifestyle isn’t conducive to active duty, there are those whose attributes and interests make them ideal candidates for the specific type of missions Ranger units excel in. A National Guard Ranger battalion would enable the Army to recruit and retain more of this segment of the population—action-oriented individuals who might already be working as SWAT officers or firefighters, but could equally be working in an office or a factory. This diversity is a strength of the entire reserve component and would be a strength of a National Guard Ranger battalion, as well. Offering more options to the public can only benefit recruitment.
Second, this unit could help retain Rangers leaving active duty. Just as SEALs and Special Forces have the option to continue serving in the reserves, Rangers should have the same opportunity. As noted earlier in this article, increasing dwell time would increase retention in the active component. The reserve component Ranger battalion would also encourage Rangers who are leaving active duty to transition to the Army National Guard, which effectively further increases retention for the Army as a total force. The National Guard allows them to continue serving even as they transition to the civilian world. Additionally, it would be an opportunity for the Army to bolster the return on its substantial investment in these elite soldiers.
More here.