75th Ranger Graduates Top of Ranger School Class

FORT BENNING, GA – “Rangers Lead the Way…” took on a new meaning for one of the newest graduates of the U.S. Army’s Ranger Course, Jan. 20, 2012.

Sgt. 1st Class David R. James, Ammunition Section Chief, Company E, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment earned the school’s Glen M. Hall Enlisted Leadership award.

James, a native of St. Croix, Virgin Islands and a graduate of St. Croix Central High School, joined the U.S. Army August 2003 and graduated from the Ammunition Specialist Course at Redstone Arsenal, Ala.

His first assignment was with 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii as an Ammunition Specialist. He deployed twice with 25th ID; once to Iraq and once to Afghanistan.

James volunteered for the 75th Ranger Regiment in the fall of 2007, and following successful completion of the Assessment and Selection Program, was assigned to Company E, 1st Bn., 75th Rgr. Rgt. James found the U.S. Army Ranger Course extremely challenging.

He has 14 months in combat with 1st Bn., three tours to Iraq and two to Afghanistan.

“Ranger School pushes you and you find out a lot about yourself,” said James. “It was an honor to be named the Glen M. Hall Enlisted Honor Graduate.”

“The worst part of Ranger School? Definitely the field training exercise; especially the first two days; we had 20 degree weather and rain and the following day we had snow,” said James.

Graduation day, however, made it all worthwhile.

“It was great to see all my friends and all of those who supported me,” said James. “It made me happy.”

James was promoted to Sgt. 1st Class following graduation. He was eligible to pin on E-7 Nov. 1, 2011; however, he was in the Darby Phase of Ranger School.

James is one of four Ammunition Handlers with the Victor identify in the Army, according to officials.

“I wanted to be part of an elite team,” said James. “The Regiment is an awesome opportunity to progress in the military.”