Security forces Airmen get Ranger 'gut-check'

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Veronica Ward
  • U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  Five local security forces Airmen had their physical and mental stamina tested here July 17 to determine if they're ready to attend the U.S. Army Pre-Ranger Training Assessment Course. 

Army Rangers conduct airborne and air assault operations, special reconnaissance and other direct actions. Ranger candidates must attend the assessment course before attending U.S. Army Ranger School, at Fort Benning, Georgia.

"The course is to let Front Range security forces [leaders] get a sense of who is interested in attending the assessment course and where they are at physically," said Senior Airman Joseph Massaglia of the 10th Security Forces Squadron.

Participants took a Ranger PT test that included push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups and a timed five-mile run. They also braved a combat water survival test and a 12-mile ruck march. These events equal one day of the assessment course's schedule.

"This is a gut check. You need to be mentally, physically and emotionally prepared for the Pre-Ranger assessment," said Master Sgt. Micah Small of Northern Command at Peterson Air Force Base. Small, a Ranger School graduate, facilitated the course.
He said the Academy hosted the course because of its challenging terrain.

"If you can complete this course and pass at this altitude, you can do it just about anywhere," Small said.

The event allowed Airmen to pinpoint portions of the assessment they need to focus on.

"It was really challenging," said Airman Ghassan Abuyaman of the 21st SFS. "I need to work on my run but water is my bread and butter."

The 15-day assessment is open to all military branches and Air Force specialties.

There are 26 core tasks, including patrolling and land navigation, service members need to traverse to complete the Pre-Ranger assessment.

Small said Airmen in any career field who complete the Ranger courses benefit from the training.

"This assessment is like a 5K, pre-Ranger is a half marathon and Ranger school is a marathon," Small said. "People who have that mental toughness to rely on make better leaders."

Massaglia successfully completed the assessment course last year and is scheduled to begin Ranger School in August.