Surviving The Cut Season 1 Episode 1 Ranger School

Surviving The Cut is a documentary series that follows the training of some of the military's most elite units. In season 1 episode 1, titled "Ranger School," we follow a group of aspiring Rangers through the grueling 61-day Ranger School located in Fort Benning, Georgia.

The episode begins with the introduction of the soldiers who are about to embark on this journey. We meet the candidates, all of whom are volunteers, and learn about their motivations for wanting to become a Ranger. They come from all walks of life, from college graduates to combat veterans, and they are all determined to make it through the school.

The first few days of Ranger School are dedicated to assessing the candidates' physical fitness levels. The soldiers are put through a battery of tests, including a two-mile run, push-ups, sit-ups, and a timed 12-mile road march with a heavy pack. The instructors are looking for candidates who are not only physically fit but mentally tough and able to think under pressure.

As the soldiers move into the first phase of the school, they are taught the basics of navigation and given their first mission. They are dropped off in the middle of the woods with nothing but a compass, map, and a few supplies. They must use their navigation skills to find their way to a designated point, all while avoiding enemy forces.

As the days go by, the training becomes more intense. The soldiers are put through obstacle courses, night patrols, and forced marches with heavy packs. They are given minimal food and sleep, which adds to the physical and mental stress they are experiencing.

The second phase of Ranger School focuses on patrolling and small unit tactics. The soldiers are divided into squads and assigned missions that require them to conduct reconnaissance, ambushes, and raids. They must work together as a team and rely on each other to accomplish their objectives.

The third and final phase of Ranger School is the mountain phase. This phase takes place in the mountains of northern Georgia, where the soldiers are taught survival skills, mountaineering, and other alpine techniques. They must navigate through the rugged terrain and extreme weather conditions to complete their mission.

Throughout the episode, we see the soldiers struggle with the physical and mental challenges of Ranger School. Some of the soldiers are eliminated due to injury or failing to meet the standards set by the instructors. The soldiers who remain must push themselves to their limits to make it through the final phase of the school.

In the end, only a few soldiers from the original group make it through Ranger School and earn the coveted Ranger tab. The episode provides insight into the rigorous training that these soldiers undergo to become part of one of the military's most elite units. It is a testament to their determination, courage, and perseverance.