Type Tab Last awarded Ongoing | Status Currently awarded Next (higher) Special Forces Tab | |
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Awarded for Graduation from U.S. Army Ranger School Established November 6, 1950; 66 years ago (1950-11-06) | ||
The Ranger tab is a service school military decoration of the United States Army signifying completion of the 61-day-long Ranger School course in small-unit infantry combat tactics in woodland, mountain, and swamp operations.
Those graduating from Ranger School are presented with the Ranger Tab, which is worn on the upper shoulder of the left sleeve of the Army Combat Uniform, as specified in Army Regulation 670–1, "Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia." A smaller metal version of the tab is worn on the Army Service Uniform. Wearing the tab is permitted for the remainder of a soldier's military career. It is currently one of four permanent individual skill/marksmanship tabs (as compared to a badge) authorized for wear by the U.S. Army. In order of seniority, they are the President's Hundred Tab, the Special Forces Tab, the Ranger Tab, and the Sapper Tab. Only three may be worn at one time.
U.S. Marines presented with the Ranger Tab are not authorized to wear it on their uniforms. U.S. Airmen presented with the Ranger Tab are authorized to wear it on their uniforms pursuant to AFI 36-2903 (Dress and Appearance). The tab must be worn in a properly presented way on the upper crest of the left sleeve. As of 2014, about 300 airmen have successfully completed the Army Ranger School and have been awarded the Ranger Tab.
In the Canadian Army, personnel who have attainted the Ranger Tab are permitted to wear it on their green tunics.
Award eligibility
The Commandant of the United States Army Infantry School may award the Ranger Tab to any person who successfully completed a Ranger Course conducted by that school.
The Commander, United States Army Human Resources Command, may award the Ranger Tab to any person who was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge while serving during World War II as a member of a Ranger Battalion (1st Battalion – 6th Battalion inclusive) or in the 5307th Composite Unit, Provisional (Merrill's Marauders), to any person who was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge while serving during the Korean War with the Eighth Army Ranger Company (11 October 1950 to 27 March 1951), or to any person who completed a Ranger Course conducted by the Ranger Training Command at Fort Benning, Georgia.