Hawk Mountain Ranger School (HMRS) is a Search and Rescue school operated by the Pennsylvania Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP). The school is located in the foothills of the Blue Mountains on 77 acres of Civil Air Patrol corporate property. The Summer School, which is the school's longest and most popular event, is a National Cadet Special Activity (with the exception of 2024).
On September 11, 2004, the school was rededicated as the Colonel Phillip Neuweiler Ranger Training Facility, in honor of its founder Colonel Phillip Neuweiler, the former Pennsylvania Wing Commander from the late 1940s to early 1970s.
Location The school is located on of CAP corporate property Kempton, Pennsylvania. The school is on the side of the Blue Mountains, approximately a mile south of the Hawk Mountain Bird Sanctuary. The school's base camp is located in a clearing off of Pine Swamp Road. However, the school's activities make use of several hundred acres of state game land in the surrounding hills, including several sections of the Appalachian Trail and accompanying side trails.
History After World War II, Civil Air Patrol shifted its focus away from patrolling sea lanes and anti-submarine warfare to enlarging its Search and Rescue operations. During the early 1950s, Colonel Phillip Neuweiler saw an increasing need for trained rescue teams for use by Civil Air Patrol's Pennsylvania Wing, which he commanded. In 1953 USAF Pararescue and survival instructors trained Pennsylvania Wing Search & Rescue teams at Westover AFB, Massachusetts. The Air Force instructors were so inspired by the dedication, motivation, and quality of the students that they called their students 'Rangers.'
Motivated by the success of the training, Col Neuweiler moved the school to a property he owned in Berks County in 1956. During this time, the school was staffed by both Civil Air Patrol members and USAF personnel. In the early 1960s, a cadet staff training program was implemented, and, combined with expertise of CAP personnel, eventually replaced the need for extensive USAF personnel for training.
By the mid 1970s, several similar schools had appeared elsewhere in Civil Air Patrol. Other nationally recognized Ranger schools began to emerge. Iowa Wing had the North Central Region Special Service Corps (the Blue Berets), Missouri Wing Pathfinder Technical school, and a similar program was Washington Wing's Challenger School. All of these schools were designated as National Emergency Assistance Training schools, or NEAT schools, by CAPNHQ in 1974, and served as the basis for CAP's emergency services training.
In July 1996, Brigadier General Richard Anderson, the CAP National Commander at the time, visited the Hawk Mountain Ranger School and recognized its lasting contributions, and called it the Harvard School of Search & Rescue.
In the spring of 2004, the school began a major infrastructure reconstruction. Trees were cleared at the base camp, eight new operation huts were constructed on raised pedestals, new latrines and shower facilities were constructed. A new gravel road was constructed leading up to the memorial gardens and chapel area. The new construction was dedicated on September 11, 2004, and the training area was rededicated as the 'Col. Phillip Neuweiler Memorial Training Center'.
On April 14, 2007, members of HMRS broke ground on a new climbing and rappelling tower. By July 7 the tower was mostly completed, but construction was halted for the duration of the Summer School. After graduation of the 2007 class, work on the tower was resumed, and the tower completed by August.
The Ranger Program
Advancement through the various Ranger classes or grades requires a student to demonstrate knowledge of or proficiency in certain skills. There are often practical, physical, and administrative sections.
Ranger Third Class (R/3) is the basic level of Ranger Grades. An R-3 is proficient in basic search skills, wilderness mobility, basic knots, and basic wilderness skills. Cadets must have earned their Curry Achievement (see Cadet grades and insignia of the Civil Air Patrol), and senior members must have completed Level 1 training. Ranger Second Class (R/2) is the intermediate level of Ranger Grades. An R-2 can perform basic land navigation, intermediate wilderness skills, a broader range of knots, and basic first aid. Cadets must also have earned Cadet Senior Airmen, and seniors must have declared a specialty track. Ranger First Class (R/1) is the advanced level of Ranger Grades. An R-1 can perform advanced land navigation, advanced survival skills, and advanced search techniques. R-1 qualified members are utilized to assist leading a Ground Team. Cadets must have earned Cadet Technical Sergeant, and senior members must have achieved a Technician rating in their specialty track. Advanced Ranger (R/Adv) is the team leader level of Ranger Grades. Advanced Rangers are capable of leading Ground Search Teams in complex search environments using advanced land navigation and technical rescue, and are able to instruct all aspects to their level in the Ranger Program. Cadets must earn Cadet Second Lieutenant, and senior members must attend Squadron Leadership School. Instructor (R/I) is the second highest level of Ranger Grades, and is reserved for those people who choose not to test for Expert Ranger. For Instructor, an Advanced Ranger must possess several qualifications from the Red Cross and FEMA, attend Special Advanced Winter School, be knowledgeable in at least three different disciplines that benefit the Ranger Program (e.g. possess Emergency Medical Technician ratings, have completed prior military service, Incident Commander ratings from FEMA, be a Registered Nurse, etc.), and be active in the Ranger Program for at least five years after being awarded Advanced Ranger. Cadets must earn Cadet Captain, and senior members must attain a Senior Rating in their specialty track.
Expert Ranger (R/Ex) Expert Ranger is the highest level of Ranger Grades. An Expert Ranger is a Ground Branch Director credentialed as an expert in wilderness search and rescue, survival, and navigation. Expert Rangers form the leadership of the development of the Ranger Program, and are expert instructors in all aspects of the program. Candidates must pass a battery of practical and written tests, and their final acceptance is contingent upon the unanimous approval of a quorum of current Expert Rangers. Expert Rangers are awarded a Black Pistol Belt for wear with their utility uniforms.
The Field Medic Course Just as the Ranger Program was started, a need was apparent for medical training. However, for the first seven years of the Ranger program, all medical support was provided by Air Force personnel.
Beginning in 1960, Dr. William E.B. Hall of Allentown, Pennsylvania, began providing for most of the health care needs of Pennsylvania Wing CAP, and consequently HMRS as well. As a CAP lieutenant colonel, Dr Hall commanded the PA Wing Hospital Squadron 3102, consisting of professional nurses, doctors, and other qualified medical personnel.
In the early 1970s, Lieutenant Don Kliptein recognized that many of the cadets coming to the school already had extensive medical backgrounds, but no ranger experience. In 1971, Lt Kliptein began training Cadets to assist Sq 3102 in providing medical assistance to other cadets. Cadet medics helping injured cadets quickly improved the overall atmosphere of the cadet program, leading to the introduction of the first dedicated medical course in 1973. This new course was structured to tie in directly with the Ranger program. Medic trainees would accompany Ranger trainees during the Field Training Exercise portion of Summer Schools, combining both Ranger experience with Medical training.
Today's Ranger Medical Program still follows the model developed by Lt Klipstein in the 70's. Today there are 4 medic grades (Field Medic to Master Medic). Student medics begin their training with a base certification as Emergency Medical Responders with additional training in field sanitation and hygiene and support of Ranger Operations. As personnel progress, they complete more specialized training in the incident command system, SAR operations, mass casualty operations and advanced medical training. M1's are required to be first responders and Senior medics must be EMT-Basics and hold PHTLS certification. All levels of qualification currently are required to complete annual continuing education requirements and requalification in core skills and knowledge every 3 years. Today's medical operations function out of modernized free standing climate controlled clinic building. Usually staffed by a physician capable of advanced medical care; thus limiting the number and frequency of off base transport for routine and urgent medical problems.
In 2010, HMRS started building the Donna Connor Memorial Training Building. Captain Donna Connor bequeathed HMRS $10,000 for a medical training building. HMRS received other donations towards this building and National Headquarters matched funds donated. The 800-square-foot building provides a dedicated, climate-managed four-season classroom and program management office as well as secure storage for training supplies and is equipped with a number of technology upgrades to improve the overall quality of medical and other training delivered.
Medic advancement
Field Medic is the introductory level of the Medic Program. Members with the Field Medic certification are qualified in Adult CPR and Wilderness First Responder after completing the basic course. Field Medics are awarded a green scarf to wear with their uniform. Field Medic 1st Class is the basic level of the Medic Program, and is the typical medic assigned to a Ranger Team. In addition to CPR and Wilderness First Responder, they have completed several base assignments as a Field Medic, and completed on the job training in advanced skills, such as medicinal wild plants. Field Medic 1st Class' are awarded Red Scarves to wear with their uniform. Senior Medic is the advanced level of the Medic Program. Although qualified to assist ground teams, Senior Medics typically support base operations or even multi-agency mission bases. Senior Medics must be at least 18 years of age, hold EMT-B qualifications or higher, and be well versed in several areas of advanced medical care. Senior Medics are awarded Red Scarves to wear with their uniform. Master Medic is the expert level of the Medic Program. represent the leadership of the Medic Program, and are similar to Expert Rangers. They typically hold instructor ratings in multiple medical fields, and have completed multiple on the job and field assignments as a Senior Medic. Candidates must have been qualified as a Senior Medic for five years prior to becoming a Master Medic. In addition to the Red Scarf, Master Medics are awarded a Red Belt. Only 26 people have become Master Medics since 1972.
Curriculum Several Courses are offered at the school. Course durations range from afternoon activities to week and a half long adventures. The school staff prides themselves as being one of the least expensive of the National Cadet Special Activities offered by the Civil Air Patrol, and goes through tremendous efforts to remain cost-effective.
Summer School The Summer School is the largest training session at the school, and is offered in mid-July. The summer school is one of many nationally recognized cadet activity. Depending on which course the student registered for, and which courses for which the student is eligible, they will be assigned to one of the following courses.