Virginia Tech Army ROTC: Ranger Creed

Ranger-qualified Cadre of the New River Battalion and Cadet leadership from Army ROTC's Ranger Company pay homage the heritage of the US Army Ranger by reciting the Ranger Creed.

Ranger Company was founded in 1966 by COL William C. Ohl II. Growing up he was inspired by combat movies, books, along with the Army Rangers of WWII. At the time, he was serving as the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Regimental Executive Officer. He took it upon himself to start an organization to help prepare his fellow Cadets for the future roles of combat leaders. Army MAJ Jeff Tuten assisted him in the start-up of the organization. MAJ Tuten was an ROTC instructor at Virginia Tech and a Ranger with combat experience, having been deployed to Vietnam training ARVN forces. His impact was critical to the early development of Ranger Company by providing combat knowledge, training opportunities, and mentorship to all the Cadets. COL Ohl went on to become the first commander of the 3rd Ranger Battalion when it was re-activated in 1984, among many other accomplishments in his 26 years of service.

This key Mentor-Trainee relationship that was born out of Cadet Ohl and MAJ Tuten's hard work continues through the present with Ranger Company participation in Ranger Challenge, their mentorship and development by Ranger-qualified Cadre, and their annual Spring Assessment to evaluate and welcome in new members focused on the Ranger Company mission: Ranger Company identifies, assesses, and trains NRB Cadets to serve as leaders of character, become proficient in military skills and tactics, and set the example for others to follow.

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