Bob Rosato

Photo Essays: Best Ranger Competition

Each year at Ft. Benning, GA, the United States Army Rangers holds a grueling two man team athletic competition. The elite Rangers compete during a rigorous three day non-stop competition. The story was photographed as a feature in Sports Illustrated shortly after our troops had engaged in battle overseas. Some of the men returned to compete for the prestigous title, The Army's Best Ranger!

At 6am, the Rangers start their compettion with a physical fitness skills test.
   
Rangers then engage in one of several runs during the competition.
   
Teams then line up for a two man target shooting competition.
     
  
A shell ejects from a rifle as the Ranger fires his weapon.
   
A Ranger fires at a long range target during the second phase of the shooting competition.
   
Rangers jump from a helicopter during the spot jump competition.
     
  
A Ranger parachutes aiming to touch down on a target.
   
USA Army Ranger Corbett McCallum lands hard in the field just short of his target.
   
Rangers must carry their gear to the target area.
     
  
Two man Ranger teams engage in a three mile litter carry.
   
Rangers then pull a canoe down a hill to a river.
   
USA Army Rangers Matthew Wilson and John Shaeffer navigate their canoe down the river.
     
  
USA Army Ranger Brian Hoffman navigates the Prusik Climb.
   
USA Ranger Adam Nash takes aim at his target during the Ranger Stakes competition.
   
USA Ranger Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Lewis does a hammer throw during the Ranger Stakes competition.
     
  
USA Army Rangers Matthew Wilson and John Shaeffer perpare for the overnight land navigation phase.
   
Rangers set off at sunset for the overnight land navigation.
   
Ranger teams navigate under a bobbed wire field during the Darby Queen obstacle course.
     
  
Rangers climb through the overhead ladder phase of the Darby Queen.
   
USA Army Rangers Adam Nash and Colin Boley during the Darby Queen obstacle course.
   
USA Army Ranger Colin Boley takes his turn as he naviagtes through the Darby Queen obstacle course.
     
  
USA Army Ranger Brian Hoffman (top) and David Bragg (bottom) drop from a helicopter to begin the Helo Cast phase.
   
Staff Sgt. Adam Nash swims with his gear attached during the Helo Cast.
   
USA Army Rangers Robert Ossman (L) and Eric Buonopane (R) lift their gear to shore during the Helo Cast.
     
  
USA Ranger Adam Nash slides down a rope during the water skills competition.
   
In a show of solidarity, Staff Sgts. John Sheaffer, Matthew Wilson,and Staff Sgts. Colin Boley and Adam Nash all with the 75th Ranger Regiment crossed the finish line together on the last event, the Buddy Run.
   
USA Army Rangers Staff Sgt.Adam Nash and Satff Sgt. Colin Boley embrace after winning the competition.
     
  
USA Ranger Staff Sgt. Adam Nash kisses his wife after winning the 60 hour non-stop competition and the 2004 Army's Best Ranger.