Columbia County newsmakers

Ranger school grad

Army 2nd Lt. Paul A. Cutts has graduated from the U.S. Army Ranger School at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga., with authorization to wear the distinctive Ranger Tab. A graduate of the Ranger course is the epitome of the U.S. infantryman.

During the 61-day course, the Ranger proved he could successfully accomplish all required tasks during the three phases of training. The course is designed to assess and develop military skills, physical and mental endurance, stamina, and confidence of the soldier to successfully accomplish small unit combat missions.

The training is conducted in three terrains: wooded, mountainous and jungle-swamp. The soldier is trained to withstand the stresses of combat and overcome all obstacles to accomplish the mission under any circumstance or situation. The Ranger is trained to properly sustain himself and his subordinates and maintain equipment under difficult field conditions during simulated combat operations; develop combat functional skills for planning and conducting ground, airmobile, airborne and waterborne patrolling and survival operations.

Cutts is an infantry officer with four years of military service.

He is the son of Paul L. and Mary E. Cutts of Martinez.

The second lieutenant is a 2001 graduate of the University of Minnesota, Duluth.