Ranger Unit Operations FM 7-85

The 1987 Printing. This publication contains doctrinal guidelines for the employment and training of ranger units. The intended audience is intermediate and higher level commanders, staffs of those headquarters, and newly assigned officers and NCOs of the ranger regiment. It is to be used with all other published US doctrine concerning NBC operations and the climatic or geographic influences on combat. The fundamentals apply to the employment of ranger units on worldwide operations and across the spectrum of conflict from low to high intensity warfare. This includes all aspects of the integrated battlefield: nuclear, biological, and chemical. It is not intended to apply to the employment of long-range reconnaissance patrol (LRRP) companies, even though such units carry the designation "ranger." These LRRP companies, as well as the long-range surveillance company (LRSC) (corps level) and the long-range surveillance detachment (LRSD) (division level), are organized, trained, and equipped for long-range reconnaissance in enemy territory. The scope of this publication addresses the mission, organization, equipment, capabilities, limitations, planning, training, operations, and logistical support of ranger units. It describes how the ranger regiment and its subordinate battalions train, receive taskings, plan missions, task-organize, deploy, and integrate supporting elements to perform the mission. Once in combat, the ranger regiment maneuvers to accomplish the mission in the manner of other light infantry units. Ranger units make full use of published light infantry doctrinal guidance. This manual will repeat procedures or techniques contained in other publications only if necessary for understanding or continuity. This publication does not contain everything the ranger needs to know to successfully execute a unit mission. Rather, it supplements unit training and the ranger unit commander's guidance; it does not supersede it.