Shaye Haver of Copperas Cove, Texas, and Capt. Kristen Griest of Orange, Connecticut, not only completed the rigorous, two-month course, they had to restart portions of it after failing to pass two prior attempts.
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Griest, 26, and Haver, 25, are “happy, relieved, and ready for some good food and sleep” before they line up Friday at Fort Benning alongside 94 male soldiers who also earned the coveted black-and-gold Ranger tab to adorn their uniforms.
The Pentagon describes Ranger School as “the Army’s premier combat leadership course, teaching Ranger students how to overcome fatigue, hunger, and stress to lead soldiers during small unit combat operations”. Senior officials tell The Associated Press the military is poised to allow women to serve in most front-line combat jobs, including Navy SEALs and the Army’s Delta Force.
Chris Haver called his daughter’s accomplishment “just amazing” and said, “I’m super proud”. “They tell me it’s the toughest, most mentally demanding course they’ve been too”. Two women have now passed the U.S. Army’s grueling Ranger test, and even tougher and more risky jobs could lie ahead.
“This course has confirmed that each soldier, no matter gender, can obtain his or her full potential”. Griest’s parents did not immediately return phone and email messages seeking comment. 1st Class Tiffany Myrick, a military police noncommissioned officer who served as an observer and adviser at Ranger Schools, told Defense One. The official was not authorized to disclose the name publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Both Griest and Haver graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York – the former in 2011 and the latter in 2012, according to Kimberly A. McDermott, communications director for the West Point Alumni Association.
Haver followed in her father’s footsteps to become a pilot of attack helicopters. He also was a career Army aviator who flew Apaches.
Haver’s father said she’s always been mentally tough and incredibly physically fit.
“She’s kind of built for this thing”, Chris Haver said of his daughter, Army 1st Lt. Shaye Haver of Copperas Cove, Texas. Completing the course allows them to wear the Ranger tab, but it doesn’t let them become members of the Ranger regiment.
The military services have until the end of the year to submit plans for opening all jobs to women.
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What remains to be seen is whether the Army will open its infantry, armor and special operations ranks to women.
