Starfleet Rangers
Starfleet Rangers are a special forces unit of Starfleet Security. The Rangers emphasise planetary survival skills and the ability to work alone for long periods of time to explore, patrol, and protect the borders of Federation space. Starfleet officers from any department can serve in the Rangers under the aegis of the Security Branch. Some remain with the Rangers for many years, even devoting their entire career, while others serve only a single tour of duty before accepting a new assignment elsewhere.
Organisation
Each Ranger Division is commanded by an officer with a minimum rank of Commander, from headquarters which are often located on quiet, out of the way planets. It has a number of operational platoons, as well as additional administrative, intelligence, logistics and medical support. Each platoon consists of approximately 20 officers and enlisted, and can be divided into individual squads of 4-10 depending on the requirements of a mission.
Platoons can also temporarily or semi-permanently assigned to a starship or other installation, at which point they are removed from their division's chain of command and instead answer to the commanding officer of their new assignment. In these circumstances, when not involved in training exercises or specific Ranger assignments, the platoon members are fully integrated into crew, serving in appropriate departments and on away teams.
Training and Skills
Training for the Rangers is rigorous, requiring several months of post-academy training before an individual can be deployed to a platoon. Each platoon encompasses a core set of skills which include:
- Platoon Commanding Officer
- Platoon Executive Officer
- Pilot
- Medic
- Communications Officer
- Intelligence Officer
- Engineering Specialist
- Long Range Weapons Specialist (Sniper)
- Demolitions Specialist
- Weapons Specialist
- Hand-to-Hand Combat Specialist
A large number of Rangers are cross-trained in two (or more) specialities, and most positions have a back-up within a platoon. This redundancy of skills allows a unit to complete a mission, even if members are injured or killed in action.