This monograph examines whether the current U. S. Army Ranger School POI develops the necessary small unit leadership skills required to support the needs of the Light Infantry Divisions. The austere construct of the Light Infantry Division permits few vehicles and limited heavy weapons, thus the dynamic of leadership plays an enhanced role in the generation of combat power for that organization. A 1984 White Paper from the Army Chief of Staff provided guidance for the formation of Light Infantry Divisions and specifically directed Ranger training for many of the Division NCO and officer leader billets. Through this training the leadership capabilities and hence the combat power of the Light Infantry Division were to be enhanced. This paper concludes that the existing Ranger curriculum only partially cultivates students in a number of competencies falling short of what is required to develop light leaders. However, identified shortfalls within the curriculum can be rectified within the existing framework of the Ranger School.

ADA 251478 Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)