Phase 3: Florida
The Florida Phase, also known as the "Swamp Phase," is the final and arguably the most demanding phase of Ranger School, conducted at Camp James E. Rudder in Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.
It's known for its relentless pace, oppressive heat, and harsh living conditions. It's designed to be the ultimate test of a soldier's physical and mental capacity, pushing them to their absolute limits and transforming them into highly skilled and adaptable leaders.
It's a 21-day period designed to:
- Refine Combat Skills: Students further refine their combat skills learned in previous phases, focusing on small-unit tactics, patrolling techniques, and operating in dense jungle and swamp environments.
- Test Leadership and Resilience: The phase pushes students to their physical and mental limits, testing their leadership capabilities, decision-making skills, and ability to cope with extreme stress and sleep deprivation.
- Foster Adaptability and Resourcefulness: Students learn to adapt to constantly changing situations, improvise solutions with limited resources, and overcome the unique challenges of operating in a harsh and unforgiving environment.
Here's a deeper look at the structure of the Florida Phase:
- Preparation: Upon arrival, students receive instruction on:
- Waterborne Operations: Utilizing small boats, conducting river crossings, and navigating swampy terrain.
- Jungle Warfare: Learning to navigate, communicate, and fight effectively in a dense jungle environment.
- Survival Skills: Building shelters, finding food and water, and signaling for help in a hostile environment.
- Field Training Exercises (FTXs): The core of the phase involves two ten-day FTXs, each focusing on a different aspect of small-unit leadership:
- Techniques: Students practice and refine their patrolling techniques, conducting various missions like ambushes, raids, and movements to contact.
- Adaptability and Resiliency: The focus shifts to applying learned skills in unpredictable situations, demanding improvisation and resourcefulness from the students.
- Evaluation: Throughout the phase, students are constantly evaluated on their leadership, tactical proficiency, decision-making, and ability to perform under pressure.
