游骑兵做前锋

Rangers, Lead The Way!出自美国游骑兵的宣誓言

在美国众多的特种部队中,游骑兵(又称突击兵或特攻队)是一支历史悠久,武力强悍的精锐部队。拥有光荣历史与优秀传统的游骑兵,凭着不畏不惧的精神和毅力在各地执行世界警察的角色,并获得国际上的认同与赞扬。基本上游骑兵属于轻型步兵,和骑兵并无任何关联。它可以运用各式交通工具迅速进入战区执行任务,因此往往在其它特种部队抵达之前,游骑兵就已经完成了任务。就如同代表游骑兵精神的座右铭"游骑兵,做前锋(Rangers,lead the way)"和绣着RANGER字样的黑色贝雷帽及飘带型臂章, 一直是游骑兵荣耀与尊严的象征。

原文如下：

Recognizing that I volunteered as a Ranger,

fully knowing the hazards of my chosen profession,

I will always endeavor to uphold the prestige,

honor,and high esprit de corps of the Rangers.

Acknowledging the fact that a Rangers is a more elite soldier who arrives at the cutting edge of battle by land, sea, or air,

I accept the fact that as a Ranger my country excepts me to move further, faster,

and fight harder than any other soldier.

Never shall I fail my comrades.

I will always keep myself mentally alert, physically strong, and morally straight;

and I will shoulder more than my share of the task whatever it may be.

One hundred percent and then some.

Gallantly will I show the world that I am a specially selected and well-trained soldier.

My courtesy to superior officers, neatness of dress, and care of equipment shall set the example for other to follow.

Energetically will I meet the enemies of my country.

I shall defeat them on the field of battle for I am better trained and will fight with all my might Surrender is not a Ranger word.I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy and under no circumstances will I never embarrass my country.

Readily will display the intestinal fortitude to fight on to the Ranger objective and complete the mission, though I be the lone survivor.

Rangers, Lead The Way!

历史起源

游骑兵的由来可追溯至公元1670年代美国殖民地时期就有使用Rangers 名称及战术的小型军队。当时美国为了应付善于突袭战术的印地安人,于是组成小型的侦骑队伍在屯垦区四周区域巡防以观察敌人活动并提供早期预警。由于他们的巡防距离称为"Range",因此一般人们称这支队伍的士兵为 "Ranger"。

第一支正规的游骑兵部队成立于1756年的新汉普郡, Robert Rogers少校首先组织九连的游骑兵部队代表英国对抗法国及印地安人。他们广为运用快速游击与侦察战术潜入敌后攻击目标,巡防距离远达400哩。Rogers少校建立的19项游骑兵信条及头戴黑色贝雷帽的传统即由当时成型。在美国独立革命时各地陆军纷纷成立游骑兵部队,其中较著名的包括由 Daniel Morgan率领一群经验老到的步兵组成的突击队‘The Corps of Rangers"。以及由Francis Marion所率领,多次与华盛顿军队并肩作战的游击队"Swamp Fox"。由于游骑兵的骁勇善战不但深得华盛顿信赖,并让英国人留下深刻的印象。总计美国独立后陆军共拥有12连的游骑兵。南北战争时较著名的游骑兵部队是南军陆军上校John S. Mosby率领的骑兵队。他们利用小队战术,快速突击北军的哨站或重要据点。不论独立革命及南北战争,美国军队已肯定游骑兵对战争的重要性。当时所使用的战术及兵学思想亦构成今日游骑兵战斗准则的基础。