Difference Between Ranger and Special Forces

Ranger vs Special Forces
 

The difference between Ranger and Special Forces has to do with the tasks they do in the army. Rangers and Special Forces are two groups with elite members serving the US Army with specialized tasks and functions. There are also considerable differences in the nature and level of training of both groups. Despite the ostensible similarity, very few are able to develop or hone skills necessary to become Special Forces. Read on if you are interested in knowing the differences between the two special groups in the Armed Forces.

What is Ranger?

Rangers are infantrymen who are chosen for specialized tasks because of their physical strength and great endurance. The confusion between rangers and Special Forces arises because of the fact that both rangers and Special Forces act as a part of Special Operations Command (SOCOM). However, rangers are never considered Special Forces like Navy Seals or Green Berets. Rangers get the title of Special Operations. Rangers are infantrymen that have the capability to be deployed anywhere in the world at a short notice of just 18 hours. This implies that rangers are a quick strike force of the US army, and because of their ability they are chosen to fight in foreign countries.

Rangers advance in platoons. Rangers specialize in infantry duty and have exceptional skills in clearing the ground for the army. Moreover, rangers specialize in direct action such as airborne raids, blowing up, shooting out, etc., and they are not bothered with diplomacy or learning a foreign language. This is precisely the reason why the training of both rangers and Special Forces are totally different.

What are Special Forces?

Special Forces in the US Army are conceived more for unconventional warfare than direct action, which is what rangers are good at. Special Forces of the United States Army are also known as the Green Berets because of their distinctive headgear. Special Forces members get specialized training that prepares them for reconnaissance, counterterrorism, fighting in a foreign country, and guerilla warfare. They are also required for search and rescue operations, peace missions, humanitarian assistance, tackling drug trafficking, and so on. The motto of the Special Forces is De Opresso Liber (Latin). This Latin motto carries the meaning ‘to liberate the oppressed.’ One feature that separates Special Forces from other forces of US army is that, these soldiers are not under the direct command of the commanders in countries they are fighting.

Special Forces are trained to go to a foreign country and blend with the natives. This obviously requires learning foreign languages and having lessons in diplomacy. They do take part in direct action, but they are mostly to convince and communicate leaders in other countries.

Special Forces move ahead in small groups of 12 commandos each. Special Forces are often required to train troops in a foreign country that is what rangers never do. Though Special Forces have all the skills, they are people centric in the sense that they are trained to fight with or against potentially friendly or enemy populations.

What is the difference between Ranger and Special Forces?

• Responsibilities:

• Rangers are infantrymen who are chosen for specialized tasks because of their physical strength and great endurance.

• Special Forces in US Army are conceived more for unconventional warfare.

• Tasks:

• Rangers specialize in direct action such as airborne raids, blowing up, shooting out, etc.

• Special Forces in the US Army specialize in reconnaissance, counterterrorism, fighting in a foreign country, and guerilla warfare.

• Operational Mode:

• Rangers advance in platoons.

• Special Forces go in smaller groups of 12 commandos each.

• Motto:

• The motto of rangers is ‘rangers lead the way.’

• Special Forces have a motto that says ‘to free the oppressed.’

• Contribution:

• Rangers have taken part in a number of wars such as American revolutionary war, Persian Gulf War, Iraq war, Kosovo war, etc.

• Special Forces have taken part in a number of wars such as cold war, Vietnam war, Somalian war, Kosovo, etc.

• Garrison or Head Quarters:

• Rangers have three Head Quarters as Fort Benning, Georgia, Fort Lewis, Washington, and Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia.

• The Head Quarters of Green beret is Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

 

Images Courtesy: Army Rangers and Special Forces via Wikicommons (Public Domain)