Around the World Unseen: A History of Company F (RANGER) 425th Infantry

Company F (RANGER) 425th Infantry was a unique unit. As a unit in the Michigan Army National Guard it gained a reputation with the Active Army as an excellent unit, that consistently displayed professionalism and successful mission completion. When the Army disbanded its Long-Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) companies to form the current Ranger battalions, Company F was one of only three remaining LRRP units left, and they were all in the National Guard.During the Cold War, Company F served as the LRRP company for REFORGER in 1984 and 1986. In 1982 it participated in the International LRRP Exercise TRISTAR. During the unit's assignment to I Corps, it participated with cells for the Team Spirit exercises in Korea, as well as several deployments to Fort Lewis to train with I Corps units.After the 911 attack Company F was ordered to active duty for two deployments to Iraq. While not always employed in its traditional reconnaissance and surveillance mission, it successfully completed a variety of mission ranging from convoy escort to training of Iraqi soldiers.Then, after 43 years of serving state and nation, Company F was inactivated in June 2011. At the time of its inactivation, Company F was the longest serving LRRP/LRS company in the United States Army.As Thomas Paine stated in 1776, "THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman." The part-time professionals of Company F (RANGER) 425th Infantry never shrank from their duty. They answered their nation's call time and time again. It is in their memory that this history has been written.RANGERS, LEAD THE WAY!