Why nobody can quite agree on what makes you an Army Ranger Alex Hollings , Close icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. It indicates a way to close an interaction, or dismiss a notification. Sen. Tom Cotton. Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images A media call-out of Republican Sen. Tom Cotton for calling himself an Army Ranger has ignited another debate over what it takes to be a "Ranger." The debate centers on the difference between "Ranger qualified" and joining the 75th Ranger Regiment, and like most arguments, it isn't likely to be settled any time soon.