The Best Ranger Competition is the United States Army’s premier annual test of endurance, skill, and teamwork, designed to identify the top Ranger-qualified two-person team across the Army and Special Operations forces. Held each spring at Fort Benning, Georgia, the event honors Lieutenant General David E. Grange Jr., a legendary Ranger instructor and leader, and has been contested nearly every year since the first competition in 1982.

Over three grueling days, competitors face more than 30 demanding events, covering dozens of miles with minimal rest. The challenges test physical endurance (long runs, marches, obstacle courses), military skills (marksmanship, land navigation, tactical tasks), and mental toughness under continuous pressure — truly a crucible for elite soldiers.

Originally a contest among Ranger Department teams, the competition expanded in the 1980s to invite Ranger-qualified soldiers from across the Army. Today, teams come not only from the 75th Ranger Regiment and Army Ranger units but also from other commands and components, including the Army National Guard and U.S. Special Operations Command.

Winning the Best Ranger Competition is one of the highest honors for Ranger-qualified soldiers, symbolizing not just superior physical fitness but unmatched tactical proficiency, teamwork, and resilience. Each year’s champions are celebrated for demonstrating the Ranger ethos — “Rangers Lead The Way!” — through perseverance and excellence.