Editing Creighton Abrams (section)

===Chief of Staff===
[[File:Secretary of Defense Melvin R. Laird, second from the left, administers the oath of office to General Creighton W. Abrams, the new U.S. Army chief of staff. Secretary of the Army Ro - DPLA - b673b513173121f89bf2016590e97b16.jpeg|thumb|right|Abrams is sworn in as Army Chief of Staff, 16 October 1972]]
Abrams was appointed [[Chief of Staff of the United States Army]] by Nixon in June 1972.<ref name=atjgtab>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=YO9LAAAAIBAJ&pg=6864%2C1902645 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |agency=Associated Press |title=Army's top job goes to Abrams |date=June 21, 1972 |page=1}}</ref> He was not confirmed by the [[United States Senate]] until October, due to political repercussions involving accusations of [[John D. Lavelle#Lavelle Affair|unauthorized bombings of North Vietnam]].<ref name=Hammond/>{{rp|576}} It has also been reported that Congress had delayed the confirmation to question the administration's war in Cambodia. During this time, Abrams began the transition to the all-volunteer army, also known as [[Project VOLAR]].

In January 1974, Abrams directed the formation of a [[U.S. Army Rangers|Ranger]] battalion. The 1st Battalion (Ranger), 75th Infantry, was activated and parachuted into Fort Stewart, Georgia, on 1 July; the 2nd Battalion (Ranger), 75th Infantry followed with activation on 1 October. The 3rd Battalion, 75th Infantry (Ranger), and Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 75th Infantry (Ranger), received their colors a decade later on 3 October 1984, at Fort Benning, Georgia. The 75th Ranger Regiment was designated in February 1986.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/ranger/heritage.html|title=Heritage – United States Army Rangers|work=[[United States Army]]|access-date=12 May 2016}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> The modern Ranger battalions owe their existence to Abrams and his charter:
{{blockquote|The battalion is to be an elite, light, and the most proficient infantry in the world. A battalion that can do things with its hands and weapons better than anyone. The battalion will contain no 'hoodlums or brigands' and if the battalion is formed from such persons, it will be disbanded. Wherever the battalion goes, it must be apparent that it is the best.}}

Abrams served as Chief of Staff until his death on 4 September 1974.