Ranger Rendezvous 2011
Ranger Rendezvous Fact Sheet 
July 25-28, 2011
Fort Benning, Ga.
The tradition of Ranger Rendezvous dates back nearly a quarter century to the first Ranger Rendezvous held in 1987. The event is held in conjunction with the Regimental change of command every two years. The week-long event includes a Ranger capabilities demonstration and an airborne operation, a stress shoot and team building sporting events including combatives/boxing, Endurathon, tug-of-war, football, and softball.
All Ranger Rendezvous events are open to the public, except the 75th Ranger Regiment Distinguished and Honorary Members of the Regiment Induction Ceremony. Due to limited seating at the ceremony location this is a private event held for Rangers, veterans and their families.
Traditionally, all of the available Rangers from Regimental Headquarters and the four Ranger battalions attend Ranger Rendezvous. In addition to Regimental Headquarters, Regimental Special Troops Battalion and 3d Battalion at Fort Benning, Ga., 1st Battalion is at Hunter Army Airfield near Savannah, Ga., and 2d Battalion is at Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma, Wash. Family members and Ranger veterans from all generations also attend. Due to combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, one Ranger Battalion and elements of RSTB will not be in attendance this year. Past years’ attendance has exceeded 10,000 visitors, family members and Rangers.
The 75th Ranger Regiment has had Rangers continuously deployed since October 2001. This event is traditionally a time to bring all of the Rangers together for a short time to build unit cohesion between geographically separated battalions. Although all Rangers may not be able to attend the event this year, it is important to keep the tradition alive for those not currently deployed to maintain that esprit de corps. For the Rangers, their family members,
WHAT CAN SOMEONE EXPECT TO SEE DURING RANGER RENDEZVOUS?
Three days in particular afford the public an opportunity to observe the Rangers in action.
On July 25, a Rangers Capabilities Demonstration and mass tactical airborne operation with more than 1,500 Rangers jumping in full combat gear from approximately 15 Air Force aircraft takes place on Fryar Drop Zone.
July 27 features day-long sporting events including boxing and combatives, tug-of-war, football, basketball, and softball.
The full slate of activities concludes on July 28 with a formal change of command ceremony at 9 a.m. on Soldiers Field at the National Infantry Museum for the 75th Ranger Regiment. This year the reins of command pass from Col. Michael E. Kurilla, who assumed command of the Regiment in August 2009, to Col. Mark Odom. Col. Odom was formerly the 2d Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment commander from 2008 to 2010. Col. Kurilla’s next assignment is at Fort Bragg, N.C.