Army Guys - Is Tom Cotton a Ranger or Not?

[Ben]

This story say he's stealing valor because he wasn't in the Ranger Regiment, although he earned the tab.

https://twitchy.com/brettt-3136/2021/01/25/washington-free-beacon-looks-into-the-researcher-who-helped-with-salons-saddest-hit-piece-ever-on-sen-tom-cotton/

An aside is how the "reporter" got the info, and from whom, and what other kinds of hit pieces they set up.

[Fly320s]

He earned his tab.  Seems legit to me.

If a person earns jump wings, we say he is Airborne even if he never jumps again.

[T.O.M.]

A tab means you graduated Ranger school.  It does not mean you went through qualification/testing, wore the beret, and served in the Regiment.  By tradition, only those who wore the beret claim the title "Ranger".

[Hawkmoon]

I believe as of now two women have made it through Ranger school. Are they assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment? If not, does the liberal press make a point of informing us that, even though they passed the course, these women are "not rangers"?

[T.O.M.]

I believe as of now two women have made it through Ranger school. Are they assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment? If not, does the liberal press make a point of informing us that, even though they passed the course, these women are "not rangers"?

The articles I have read about them call them "Ranger school graduates" , which is accurate.

Think of it this way...you go to law school and graduate...you are a law school graduate.  Pass the bar exam, and you are a lawyer. 

[MechAg94]

I am not familiar with Tom Cotton.  Was he claiming to be "A Ranger"? 

Seems a silly thing to get bent out of shape about considering all the other stuff going on and the quality of most of the politicians in D.C.

[RoadKingLarry]

I am not familiar with Tom Cotton.  Was he claiming to be "A Ranger"?  

Seems a silly thing to get bent out of shape about considering all the other stuff going on and the quality of most of the politicians in D.C.

Well, he's a republican so...

From his web page-

After law school, Tom joined the infantry where he completed combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He served as an officer in the Old Guard at Arlington Cemetery, the unit responsible for military funerals. Tom was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge, and the Ranger Tab during his service.

[Hawkmoon]

Maybe that author should next look into Richard Blumenthal's claims to have served as a Marine in Vietnam ...

[Phantom Warrior]

Strictly speaking he is not a Ranger.

Serve in 75th Ranger Regiment and earn a tan beret and Ranger Scroll (unit patch) = Ranger
Graduate Ranger School and earn the Ranger Tab = Ranger qualified, tabbed, or "graduated Ranger School"

However, this usage is not consistent even in the Army.  Much less by campaign staffers or reporters.  And I have yet to see anything from Tom Cotton or his campaign literature claiming he served in the 75th Ranger Regiment.  He is usually very clear about his service.  See for example, the quote RoadKingLarry posted.  The only direct evidence I've seen was that campaign flyer stating he "volunteered to be an Army Ranger."  That looks like it was written by a campaign staffer or local party with limited knowledge and limited space.

Underneath all the media hype and political accusations I'm not sure he's even guilty of using the term "Ranger" loosely.

[dogmush]

What T.OM. and Phantom said.

Not a Ranger, but a school graduate  or "earned a tab" are both accurate.

[just Warren]

It's just hit-piece after hit-piece with these people.

Cotton should get himself sworn in as a park ranger and really make it hard for them to write their idiot stories without going into a long explanation.

[MillCreek]

I read this book a while back, and the author makes it clear that if you are a young Army officer who intends to climb the infantry career ladder, you go to Ranger School and get the tab, just as you get your jump wings.  Actually serving in the Ranger Regiment and getting the Regimental patch is a different level.

https://www.amazon.com/Sua-Sponte-Forging-Modern-American/dp/0425253600

[Andiron]

Like the rest said,  difference between Ranger Qualified and actually served in the regiment.

I technically served with a MARSOC unit.  I'm POG all day, and didn't so any damned thing that was high speed but hey,  MARSOC!  Yet there are plenty of retards out there claiming that particular honor that didn't really earn it.