NCR Ranger Veteran

The NCR Veteran Rangers are elite Rangers in the New California Republic Rangers. They wear the NCR Ranger combat armor, commonly referred to as the "Black Armor". They are renowned for their survival and combat prowess.

Background
Veteran Rangers are a special detachment of New California Republic Rangers who have served long enough and with such distinction that they have earned the privilege of wearing the distinctive NCR Ranger combat armor, considered to be one of the most valuable and awe-inspiring items in the entire New California Republic. The inscription on their signature Ranger Sequoia pistols indicates that the Veteran Rangers carrying them have served in the Rangers for at least 20 years or more.

In practical terms, their equipment and prowess significantly expand the NCR's capabilities in the region, allowing for more advance night scouting, thanks to their Pre-War combat helmets with low light optics, and sharpshooting to assist regular forces.

Veteran Rangers have a nearly legendary reputation amongst the people of the NCR and their enemies. NCR troopers periodically comment on their reputation for toughness, and even General Lee Oliver's elite NCR heavy troopers admit to being intimidated by them. Members of the Fiends inside Vault 3 advise the player to run the other way if they see a Ranger in black armor, remarking that they're capable of picking off entire Fiend patrols from more than a quarter of a mile away. Even some Legionaries will often say, "I didn't think anybody could kill a Ranger in single combat."

In 2281, some Veterans were deployed in Baja under orders from President Aaron Kimball doing what Chief Hanlon describes as "chasing ghosts", but as the conflict with the Legion develops, they are slowly deployed to the Mojave through Dayglow to boost the NCR's presence in the area.

Locations
Veteran Rangers can be found at most major NCR military outposts after the player activates or destroys the Securitron army in Mr. House's secret bunker underneath Fortification Hill. Alternatively, they may spawn after completing the mission Kings' Gambit. They appear at Camp Golf, Camp Forlorn Hope, Ranger station Alpha, Ranger station Delta, and Ranger station Echo.

If the player is declared a terrorist by the NCR, a group of NCR Rangers will be dispatched to hunt down and kill the player. After the most recent patch, this group will include Veteran Rangers at higher levels. Similar to the Legionary assassins, various bugs currently prevent this encounter from happening more than once, if at all.

Veteran Rangers typically respawn 3 days after being killed.

Quests
The Courier hears about the veteran Rangers throughout the game, with increasing knowledge as the story reaches its end. Rangers finally appear themselves in the few quests just before the Second Battle of Hoover Dam.
 * Two veteran Rangers accompany President Aaron Kimball during his visit to Hoover Dam to protect him as he gives his speech. Depending on which side the Courier's on, they'll either stand out of their way as the Courier protects the president, or attack them if the Courier tries to kill him during the quest Arizona Killer. If the Courier climbs onto the stage at any time while the president is there, they will automatically attack.
 * If you side with the NCR in the final battle for Hoover Dam, a squad of veteran Rangers is sent to ensure that you arrive at the Legate's Camp. They can provide sniper support, follow you, or, after passing a Speech check of 85, pave the way.
 * If you side with Yes Man or Mr. House at the Second Battle for Hoover Dam, veteran Rangers appear flanking General Lee Oliver after he enters the Legate's camp. If the Courier orders the Securitron Army to attack Oliver and his Rangers, they will become hostile and attack.

NPC comments

 * "A veteran Ranger inspires awe. Stick around for when they get here, you'll see. If I live to earn the Black Armor, I can die a happy man/woman." -- Regular NCR Rangers

Appearances
NCR Veteran Rangers appear only in Fallout: New Vegas.

Behind the scenes

 * It is entirely possible that some Veteran Rangers were once part of the Desert Rangers, as the Desert Rangers were absorbed into the ranks of the NCR Rangers after the signing of the Ranger Unification Treaty in 2271.
 * The Ranger Sequoia is a reference to the song Big Iron by Marty Robbins, which features an Arizona Ranger wielding a similar weapon in a duel with an outlaw.

Bugs

 * At the Second Battle of Hoover Dam and during President Aaron Kimball's visit, some NCR Personnel are named as Veteran Rangers, but are wearing NCR Ranger patrol armor.