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US Mountain Ranger Association

Promoting fellowship & brotherhood among US Army Rangers

Pursuant to our mission of promoting fellowship and brotherhood among all US Army Rangers, the US Mountain Ranger Association continually serves its fellow Rangers through programs honoring and assisting its members, their families and all Rangers, past and present.

USMRA is incorporated under the laws of the State of Georgia. As a charitable organization, it is exempt from Federal Income Tax under the terms of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

We are entirely self-supporting by donations and the tireless work of our members in a variety revenue generating activities with the goal of providing for scholarship awards to graduating high school seniors, recognizing former Camp Frank D. Merrill instructors, honoring our Fallen Rangers and supporting other special programs.

Membership Requirements

Membership in the USMRA is simple. All that is required is to be a graduate of US Army Ranger School or have served in a Ranger unit during combat operations.

Membership Form

Having been assigned at Camp Merrill is NOT a prerequisite for membership.

Donations

There are no membership dues. We operate stictly by donations. Consider setting up a monthly donation through PayPal.

Community Partners

 

USMRA Bylaws

USMRA Board of Directors

Keith Antonia (Chairman)
Chuck Windham
Derek Runyon
Jason Wistoski
Russ Ballew

USMRA Board of Directors

Keith Antonia
  • Keith Antonia lives in Dahlonega, Georgia with his wife of 43 years, Angela. He graduated and commissioned infantry from the University of Connecticut in 1981 and retired from the Army after completing command of the 5th Ranger Training Battalion in 2001.
  • He served two tours in the 82 Abn Division (2/508 as a lieutenant [Grenada and Sinai] and 1/505 as battalion S3); two tours in the 75th Ranger Regiment (1/75 as a captain [S3Air and Commander Co C] and Regiment as Senior LNO and RS3); a tour in the XVIII Abn Corps as Ranger Plans and Ops Officer in the G3 SOCOORD; a tour as Pathfinder School Chief; and two tours in the Ranger Training Brigade as a captain (4th RTBn Co A Commander) and lieutenant colonel (5th RTBn). He made 232 jumps, including a combat jump into Panama in 1989 as S3 Air with 1/75 RGR. In 2005, Keith became a Distinguished Member of the Ranger Training Brigade; was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame in 2009, and served as the Honorary Colonel of the RTB/ARTB from 2011 to 2023.
  • His second career was with the University of North Georgia - The Military College of Georgia - where he served 21 years in several positions related to the Corps of Cadets. He retired as the interim Senior Vice President and Superintendent of the Cadet Leadership Academy. In addition to his bachelor’s degree in business administration, he earned a master of arts from the Naval War College and a Doctor of Education from the University of North Georgia. He has served as a leader in several civic organizations, but his passion is mission and purpose of the USMRA.
Jason Wistoski
  • Entered service originally Aug 1993
  • Assigned 1/505 PIR Ft. Bragg NC
  • Graduated Ranger school class# 11-94 on 14 Oct.1994
  • Reentered service Jan 2002 after two years in law enforcement
  • Assigned 2/27 INF Schofield Barracks HI. Deployed to Paktika province Afghanistan 2004-05
  • Assigned 5th RTB
  • Assigned 1/8 INF Ft Carson CO. Deployed to Amarah Iraq. 2010-11
  • Assigned 1/68 AR Ft. Carson CO. Deployed Shiwhali Kot, Afghanistan.2012-13
  • Assigned 5th ARTB 2013 until retirement Dec.2017
  • Distinguished Member of the Brigade 2019
  • Currently Action Shooting Coach University of North Georgia
Chuck Windham
  • H Company Rangers, RVN
Russ Ballew
  • SFC (RET) Russell Ballew was born in Clayton Ga. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1989. He attended Basic training and Advanced Individual Training at Ft Benning Ga as a Combat Infantryman. After Airborne School, he was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division 1st Battalion 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment where he served as a Rifleman and Automatic Rifleman during Desert Shield/Deseret Storm.
  • SFC Ballew has held positions as Rifleman, Machine gunner, Squad Leader and Scout Team Leader. In 1999 SFC Ballew was selected as the 82nd Airborne Division Non-Commissioned Officer of the year. He was also a Ranger Instructor and FTX NCOIC at the 5th Ranger Training Battalion, Camp Frank D. Merrill, Dahlonega, Ga. SFC Ballew taught Combat Patrolling Techniques and Mountaineering.
  • SFC Ballew has held positions as Rifleman, Machine gunner, Squad Leader and Scout Team Leader. In 1999 SFC Ballew was selected as the 82nd Airborne Division Non-Commissioned Officer of the year. He was also a Ranger Instructor and FTX NCOIC at the 5th Ranger Training Battalion, Camp Frank D. Merrill, Dahlonega, Ga. SFC Ballew taught Combat Patrolling Techniques and Mountaineering.
Derek Runyon
  • US Army August 1990 to 2010
  • 193d INF BDE, Aco 5/87 INF Fort Davis, Panama
  • 82d ABN, 2d BDE, Aco 4/325 and 3/325 Fort Bragg, NC
  • Graduated from Ranger school class 09-95
  • 5th RTB Bco Combat Techniques and Mountaineering Instructor
  • 82d ABN, 1st BDE, Bco 1/504 deployed Afghanistan 2002-2003 and Iraq 2003-2004
  • 5th RTB Bco and HHC 5th RTB
  • Validation Transition Team deployed to Afghanistan 2008-2009
  • Distinguished Member of the Brigade 2023
  • Continued to provide advisory assistance to deploying units and Soldiers after retiring

 

USMRA Officers

Bob Williams
Jason Wistoski
Tony Fritchle
Steven Hall