Civil Air Patrol Ranger - Ranger Advancement

Ranger Advancement

Advancement through the various Ranger classes or grades requires a student to demonstrate knowledge of or proficiency in certain skills. There are often practical, fitness, and administrative sections.

• Ranger Third Class is the introductory level of Ranger Grades. For Ranger Third Class, a Ranger-to-be must demonstrate knowledge of basic outdoorsman tasks, complete a 2 mile hike, and perform a 1/2 mile run in 6 minutes or less. Cadets must have earned their first stripe (see Cadet grades and insignia of the Civil Air Patrol), and senior members must have completed Level 1 training. In addition, a ranger must sign a Declaration of Intent to join a Ranger Team (co-signed by a parent or guardian if under 18).

• Ranger Second Class is the basic level of Ranger Grades. For Ranger Second Class, a Third Class Ranger must demonstrate knowledge of intermediate woodsman skills, possess introductory Search and Rescue skills, obtain a basic CAP radio operators license, and perform a 1/2 mile run in 5 minutes or less. Cadets must also have earned Cadet Senior Airmen, and seniors must have declared a specialty track.

• Ranger First Class is the intermediate level of Ranger Grades. For Ranger First Class, a Second Class Ranger must possess certain qualifications from the Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), have completed a basic winter school, demonstrate advanced woodsman skills, possess intermediate search and rescue skills, be able to work on a team with search and rescue dogs, use an L-Per, and run 1/2 mile in 4 minutes or less. Cadets must also have earned Cadet Technical Sergeant, and seniors must have achieved a Technician rating in their specialty track.

• Advanced Ranger is the advanced level of Ranger Grades. For Advanced Ranger, a First Class Ranger must possess certain qualifications from the Red Cross and FEMA, possess an advanced CAP radio operators certification, be qualified as a ground team leader, have completed advanced winter school, be comfortable leading a search and rescue team, understand how the national search and rescue system works, and complete a one mile run in 8 minutes or less. Cadets must earn Cadet Second Lieutenant, and senior members must attend Squadron Leadership School.

• Instructor is the second highest level of Ranger Grades, and is reserved for those people who choose not to test for Expert Ranger. For Instructor, an Advanced Ranger must possess certain qualifications from the Red Cross and FEMA, attend Special Advanced Winter School, be knowledgeable in at least three different disciplines that benefit the ranger program (e.g. possess Emergency medical technician ratings, Military Service, Incident Commander ratings from FEMA, be a Registered Nurse, etc...), and be active in the Ranger Program for at least five years after being awarded Advanced Ranger. Cadets must earn Cadet Captain, and senior members must attain a Senior Rating in their specialty track.

• Expert Ranger Expert Ranger is the highest level of Ranger Grades, and is awarded only to those who embody the Ranger spirit. Becoming an Expert Ranger only can be accomplished by completing the 'Special Advanced Course Echo' (or recognized equivalent training), that subjects Rangers to expert-level search and rescue, woodsmanship, and survival skills instruction in a practical environment, and that also stresses the development of leadership, individual skills and self-confidence. Candidates must pass a battery of practical and written tests, and their final acceptance is contingent upon the unanimous approval of a quorum of current Expert Rangers. Expert Rangers are awarded a Black Pistol Belt for wear with their utility uniforms. As of July 2011, only 241 people have become Expert Rangers since the program's inception in 1956.