The Army’s prestigious Ranger School will make military history and graduate its first two female students on Friday. These two graduates are the only female soldiers to make it through the 61-day course since the Army opened up the Ranger School to women in April.
Women were granted admission to the Ranger School in order to test the capabilities of female soldiers in combat roles. The first integrated class included 19 women and 390 men, but only two women and 94 men made it through the entire course and will receive their Ranger tabs during the Fort Benning graduation ceremony.
The identities of the female Ranger students has been kept secret throughout the entire course. The Army has only confirmed that they are both West Point graduates and in their 20s.
The Army announced that the female students had finally passed the course on Monday night.
“Congratulations to all of our new Rangers,” Army Secretary John McHugh said. “Each Ranger School graduate has shown the physical and mental toughness to successfully lead organizations at any level. This course has proven that every soldier, regardless of gender, can achieve his or her full potential. We owe soldiers the opportunity to serve successfully in any position where they are qualified and capable, and we continue to look for ways to select, train, and retain the best Soldiers to meet our nation’s needs.”
More women may be admitted into another Ranger School class in November. The decision to permanently allow women to enter the course has yet to be made, but Gen. Raymond T. Odierno has expressed his optimism.
“The feedback I’ve gotten with these women is how incredibly prepared they are,” Odierno said. “The effort that they’ve put forward has been significant. They’ve impressed all that they’ve come in contact with. They are clearly motivated… and frankly, that’s what we want out of our soldiers.”