Sua Sponte: The Forging of a Modern American Ranger

by Dick Couch

Sua Sponte
Latin for “Of Their Own Accord”
The 75th Ranger Regiment’s Motto
 
Army Rangers are not born. They are made. The modern 75th Ranger Regiment represents the culmination of 250 years of American soldiering. As a fighting force with our nation’s oldest and deepest tradition, the Regiment traces its origins to Richard Rogers’s Rangers during the prerevolutionary French and Indian War, through the likes of Francis Marion and John Mosby, to the five active Ranger battalions of the Second World War, and finally, to the four battalions of the current Ranger regiment engaged in modern combat.
 
Granted unprecedented access to the training of this highly restricted component of America’s Special Operations Forces in a time of war, retired Navy captain Dick Couch tells the personal story of the young men who begin this difficult and dangerous journey to become Rangers. Many will try, but only a select few will survive to serve in the 75th Ranger Regiment. Sua Sponte follows a group of these aspiring young warriors through the crucible that is Ranger training and their preparation for direct-action missions in Afghanistan against America’s enemies, anywhere, any time, and under any conditions.

INCLUDES PHOTOGRAPHS

Genres: Military Fiction, Nonfiction, Military History, War, History, Research, Modern

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Mr. Couch graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1967. He graduated from BUD/S training in Class 45 in 1969. He was a case officer for the CIA.

Reviews

[Charles Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I happened on this book when looking for research material for my son . He has recently reported to Fort Benning and is slated for the Ranger Regiment assuming successful completion of all the training. I am retired Army and am familiar with the Regiment. What I was not prepared for was the realization of what that unit and those incredible soldiers have lived for the past 11 years. Mr. Couch deserves a star in heaven for showing us all the snap shot of the 75th Rangers and their service.

I have two son's. Both serve. One is a Navy Chaplin the other I have mentioned. I keep them both in my prayers. Now I have added an entire Regiment.

[Charity U · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I'm an Army girlfriend, and my man is going into the Army Rangers. Finding information about the Rangers can be a little difficult, even with the internet. They're a very elite Special Ops team. So when someone recommended this book to me, I bought it immediately.
To my utter delight, the book is highly informative and easy to read. It walks through RASP training day-by-day, week-by-week. The section on Ranger School is much shorter, but RASP 1 is particularly in-depth, and there is a nice section on RASP 2 as well, for those who have someone going that route. In addition, this book includes very helpful information on deployment, the Ranger battalions (1/75, 2/75, and 3/75), and what to expect as someone at home. And finally, one of the early chapters is history of the Rangers. If your soldier is going the Ranger path, you'll probably want to skip to Chapter 3, with all the information about RASP. But the history is very interesting and enlightening as well.
I highly recommend this for anyone with a soldier entering the Rangers. Knowledge is power. Rangers lead the way!

[Robert Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dick Couch is an incredible writer. Excellent well researched and written book that showcases the Rangers like no other person could do. Mr Couch due to his background and understanding the SpecOp community.
For a Navy Seal who shines the light how other operators in the very small and elite community work, train, and live.
For in his other book, Chosen Soldier, he wrote an excellent tome of the US Army Special Forces groups and now in Sua Sponte: The Forging of a Modern American Ranger is another incredible tome about the Rangers.
Highly recommended to anyone who likes to read about our wonderful highly trained Armed Forces by a writer who came from those same Men and Women who serve proudly our great nation.

[Gretchen Rosales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engrossing, very detailed. Gives a solid introduction to the Army world and a highly specific account of the Ranger Regiment. Much of the terminology and background knowledge needed to fully comprehend would come from someone in the military, so reader beware.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

My youngest brother served with the 75th Ranger Regiment. He told me that this book was his inspiration for joining. It was an enjoyable read and gave me a more thorough perspective and appreciation of all he accomplished during the years he served.

[Kevin T. Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear,concise,and riveting

I really enjoy Mr.Couch's style of writing. He doesn't confuse you with fancy, needless adjectives and he doesn't bode you with dry, technical writing. It's lucid and exciting writing and also inspiring and educational.

[Perry Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couch is a great inside man, writing about the Special Operations Forces

[Alex Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth reading. Interesting stories and also good takeaway lessons for mental toughness and leadership/teamwork under extreme conditions.

[Darren Sapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

No one tells the stories of how men become Seals, Rangers, Green Berets, and Force Recon better than Dick Couch. This is a reader, not some stuffy list of training requirements.

[Jim Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

In depth look at Ranger selection and then Ranger training.

I enjoyed how involved the author was in going through the training and interacting with the candidates and then the Ranges in training.

[Greg Despres · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a father with a son preparing to enter RASP in the coming months, Sua Sponte was more than just an engaging book—it was a gift. This is one of the clearest, most technical, and most honest windows into what awaits those who choose to pursue the 75th Ranger Regiment. Whether you're a parent trying to understand your child’s path, or someone preparing to walk that path yourself, this book is essential.

What stands out most is the precision and clarity of the storytelling. The author doesn’t sensationalize the difficulty nor downplay it; instead, he paints a vivid picture of the grueling physical standards, the relentless mental pressure, and the constant demand for excellence. As a parent, it helped me replace vague anxieties with real understanding. Instead of wondering what my son is “getting into,” I could see it—phase by phase, evolution by evolution.

The book also highlights the deeper ethos behind the Ranger mission: discipline, sacrifice, initiative, and quiet professionalism. It gave me a profound respect not just for the Rangers themselves, but for the men who train and shape them. By the last page, I felt more prepared—not just practically, but emotionally—to support my son as he steps into this demanding environment.

If your son is headed toward RASP, or if you’re preparing to face RASP or Ranger School yourself, Sua Sponte is a must-read. It provides clarity where there is often mystery, and confidence where there is often uncertainty. It strengthened my pride in my son’s calling and sharpened my prayers for the man he is becoming.

[Carey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t know much about the Army Rangers before reading this and I did learn a lot but woo-wee was it dense and boring to listen to. I would have liked to hear more then just facts spouted at me but stories about what he saw when he was there. Good writing should show not tell. But literary genius is maybe too much expectation of a military history book. Still I would have liked to know more feelings. Why did the soldiers who the author followed want to become rangers? Why did the ones that quit quit? What do the soldiers that quit or don’t get picked end up doing? What do the soldiers think and experience and feel as they go through all of this?

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audio book and it is outstanding. The book gives the reader a great understanding of what Ranger school is and what it takes to become a Ranger. I also left with the motto "Rangers lead the way!"

This book follows a class for Ranger Selection School by Dick Couch a former US Navy SEAL and it seemed that he was given access that most normal writers or journalists would not get which makes this book special.

I highly recommend this book.

[Jeremy Belanger · Rating 3 out of 5]

An overview of the Ranger Regiment, good but his others were better

I have read his other books and thought they were better. I think part of this is I was an infantryman and did a lot of, though not all, of the same training. His books on the Special Forces and SEALs were some what more interesting to me because they tasks they perform were more diverse and complex. A lot in this book was just repetition. A good read for someone with no background though

[Mike Alling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible Work

I am grateful to Couch for dedicating a significant amount of time to accurately chronicle the selection and training of an Army Ranger. There could be no better book to read for one aspiring to SOF in general or Ranger in particular, or for the casual reader who wants to learn more about this unit. I definitely plan to read more of Couch’s books. This was my first.

[K.A. Kenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dick Couch's account of the selection and training of the American ranger is well-detailed (but not exhaustively) and highlighted by numerous personal accounts of the motivation and character of recruits and trainers. Mental, physical, and character challenges both train and hone the qualities necessary to forge the best soldiers in the world. A great read and an eye-opener.

[Ryan Okuno · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dude just can’t help but insert his own beliefs into the things he writes. At least a couple of mentions on millennials and unions being bad as if those things actually make a difference to this subject matter.

[Emily Lobo · Rating 3 out of 5]

ton of info in this book but kind of wish it followed more on the candidates he met during the process and why they wanted to join/what they did if they didn’t make it. felt super long but probably a me problem

[Ginny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audio book, well-narrated. Inspiring and enlightening. There is so much that the average civilian doesn't know or understand about our special forces. They are all amazing!

[Tim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unless you're actively training to become a Ranger, or just curious about the process, it's a pretty boring read.

[Theresa cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

Good read and very interesting indeed. Gives very good detail about becoming a ranger. Was much greater detail than expected.

[Ryan Geer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book as much as "Chosen Soldier." Great information that leads to a ton of respect to the men who are choose to and are able to complete this training.

[Mark Nicholson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better second time around.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ranger School section was not as detailed as I would have wanted, but still helpful from an overview perspective.

[Brienprime · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't like this author. I don't like the guy that read it in audible. This author is supposed to be a great military author. I've read 3 or 4 books by this author and I've decided it's him, not me.

[Kevin Postlewaite · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book covering US Army Ranger training

[Paul Eberhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written and good insight into this unit.

[Brandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book content itself was good, understandably general due to OPSEC concerns. The biggest negative that stands out, is that it reads as though it was written for non-military types or people new to the conventions of military jargon and operations. It definately has the air of recruiting propaganda. The dialogue, particularly the training staff, is very unrealistic. It's almost comical to hear his quoting of drill instructors sounding like nice, caring school teachers. When in reality, they are yelling and swearing, pushing trainees to their limits.

The narrator, as is quite usual in most books, is unfamiliar with military training and lingo. Some mispronunciations and his character voices only further the unrealistic effect of the instructors. He speaks like the cliche propaganda video narrator from the 50's.

All in all, it was a good overview of the process and training involved in becoming a US Army Ranger. It would have been better if Couch had included more specifics of the training and skills, but like I said in first sentence, understandable.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Disclaimer: this book was read for research on a writing project. The author of the review has no personal experience with military service, and does not intend to validate the veracity of the specifics accounted in the book)

Ultimately, a useful and readable account of RASP and Ranger training after selection. A few minor negatives: the transcription of dialogue feels stilted and 'unnatural' - it is difficult to imagine anyone communicating in the way Mr. Couch suggests they do. Additionally, Mr. Couch occasionally editorializes on issues such as his views on the Millennial generation, which was beside the point and off-putting. I would only dock a half star if Goodreads allowed that rating.

[Nadir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Couch does an excellent job of describing the extraordinary effort required to become a Ranger, from assessment and selection (RASP) to retention of senior NCOs and officers (all of whom must earn a Ranger school tab), to the daily training when preparing to deploy overseas. After reading this, there is no doubt that the 75th Ranger Regiment is indeed America's finest light infantry force. I got tired just reading about their training! ;)

The one area the book does not explore is actual combat operations, clearly in order not to risk divulging important tactics, techniques, and procedures.