Rangers Lead the Way: The Vision of General Creighton W. Abrams - The Post-Vietnam Army, The Ranger Battalion since World War II, the Wickham and Sullivan Charters, Lesson Learned

RANGERS LEAD THE WAY! is the motto of the U.S. Army's Ranger Regiment. Their motto conveys the pride and esprit de corps of Rangers everywhere. History suggests Brigadier General Norman D. Cota, Assistant Division Commander of the 29h Infantry Division, deserves credit for this motto. Viewing the carnage on Omaha Beach on D-Day 6 June 1944, Brigadier General Cota recognized the need to get the assault forces inland. To stay on the beach under the murderous fire of the defenders guns would only contribute to more causalities. Brigadier General Cota sought out Lieutenant Colonel Max Schneider, commander of the 5h Ranger Battalion and directed "Rangers, lead the way off this beach." Cota's command has morphed into the current motto. Since that day on Bloody Omaha, Rangers have continued to lead the United States Army.

This paper will examine the use of the Ranger Battalions to lead the Army through change. The thesis of the paper purports that one of the reasons for the formation of the modern day Ranger Battalions was to provide a change agent for the rest of the Army. This paper will argue that General Creighton W. Abrams, Chief of Staff of the Army, intended such a use of the Ranger Battalions when he authorized the formation of the first one in 1974. General Abrams had a strategic vision of using the Ranger Battalions to re-instill pride and values in the Army post Viet Nam. His strategic vision of using the Ranger Battalions as change agents was continued through succeeding Chiefs of Staff of the Army. Finally, this paper will demonstrate that this strategic role of the Ranger Battalions continues to this day.

The paper will begin this examination with a review of a current conceptual model of vision, change agents and leading change, which will establish a foundation upon which to conduct an analysis of the Ranger Battalions. A brief biography of General Creighton W. Abrams will follow to provide the reader with a feel for the leader who envisioned the Ranger Battalions. Because it is important to understand the conditions under which a strategic vision is developed, the paper will present a review of the state of the Army, as the author believes General Abrams saw it, following Viet Nam. Next a brief history of the Ranger Battalions and the process of their formation will be presented. In conclusion, the paper will then walk the reader through several examples how the Ranger Battalions led the inculcation of ideas, concepts, and values throughout the entire Army.