“I think is is entirely possible, and even likely to be assigned to the 75th Rangers without being a Ranger”
I believe it is just the opposite, a Ranger is a man that has served as a Ranger in the battalions, whether he is tabbed or not.
It is the “Ranger Qualified” tabbed soldier that has never served in a Ranger capacity, that has the uphill climb in establishing status as a Ranger.
Looking a little further, I found this:
snip only....very informative page:
Training was a combat misson for volunteers. Volunteers were assigned, not accepted in the various Ranger Compannies, until, after a series of patrols, the volunteer had passed the acid test of a Ranger, Combat, and was accepted by his peers. Following the peer acceptance, the volunteer was allowed to wear the black beret and wear the Red, White and Black scroll shoulder sleeve insignia bearing his Ranger Company identity. All Long Range Patrol Companies and 75th Ranger Companies were authorized Parachute pay.
http://www.ranger.org/rangerHistoryVietnamWar.html
also, from further on down the page, I see that it was Co. F, 52nd Infantry (LRP) that I am remembering present when I was there, as “Co I (Ranger),75th Infantry/1st Infantry Division/1 Feb. 1969 - 7 Apr. 1970” is after my personal frame of reference (July 67-Jul 68). BTW, this page talks about “black berets”.......I don’t recall any black berets until shortly before I got out Jun 1975......I DID see a few worn at Camp Casey about then.