Cmd. Sgt. Major Curtis Arnold said a decade ago he would have doubted a woman could pass the rigorous course.
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“They can serve by my side anytime because I know I can trust them”, said 2nd Lt. Erickson Klog, another male trainee. The number of women in combat roles remains small and, according to the UK study, Canadian research suggests women are more likely to serve in supportive rather than operational roles.
Unlike the male graduates, the two women can’t apply to join the 75th Ranger Regiment, an elite special operations force. That could change next year after the Pentagon makes its recommendations.
Defense Secretary Ash Carter is giving the chiefs of the military services until Oct. 1 to tell him which combat posts should remain closed to female service-members and is requiring them to provide documentation to justify the exclusion. “Clearly, these two soldiers are trail blazers”. By screening submissions, we provide a space where readers can share intelligent and informed commentary that enhances the quality of our news and information.
The two female soldiers who will graduate this week from the Army’s legendary Ranger School were identified Wednesday as Capt. Kristen Griest and 1st Lt. Shaye Haver.
“For me, the biggest accomplishment was that it was a goal I had for so long”, Griest said. “I’m definitely interested to see what new doors do open up for women”.
The pressure of paving the way for future generations was not lost on her, she said.
Among those marking the occasion will be Haver’s father, Christopher, a former Apache helicopter pilot and instructor who was once stationed at Fort Rucker with Company A, 1st/14th Aviation Regiment.
Griest is a native Nutmegger, and graduated from Amity Regional High School in Woodbridge in 2007.
“Hopefully if women come to the course they can be encouraged by what we’ve accomplished”, Haver echoed. “We came the best prepared we could possibly be”.
Griest and Haver are the first women to complete the course – considered the Army’s most physically challenging – since it was opened to them on an experimental basis this year. “Kristen and Shaye have more than earned their right to wear Ranger tabs on their uniforms and I know that their achievement represents a monumental step toward ending gender barriers in the military”, he said in a statement.
Hanger called the women “absolutely physical studs”.
“Griest and Lt. Haver epitomize the resiliency and mental toughness – attributes that we develop at West Point – required to succeed as U.S. Army Rangers”. Reporter: A possibility that these women are ready for. “These are dedicated, tough soldiers who do not quit and do not complain”. “But that was more important to us, becoming teammates with our Ranger buddies that we’re graduating with tomorrow”, Haver said. And truthfully there are probably a few folks who want you to fail.
Before now, only males were allowed to go through the physically and mentally daunting Ranger School. The two women also met the standards of the Swamp Phase, proficiently leading waterborne platoon level combat patrols and will earn the Ranger Tab, Aug. 21. And they don’t get much chance to rest or refuel.
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“When you’re out in the field and your cold, tired and miserable, you really don’t think about gender”, said 2Lt Anthony Rombold. Eight women successfully completed RAP week; however, all were recycled into Ranger Class 07-15 as Darby inserts for a second attempt at patrolling. Michael Calderon. “At the end of the day, everyone was a Ranger”.
