As part of a 2013 initiative to fully integrate women into the military by 2016, 31 women have been chosen to participate in next spring's Ranger Course Assessment as advisers and observers.
According to the Washington Post, the chosen group includes 20 enlisted noncommissioned officers and 11 officers. They were chosen from upward of three dozen female applicants. The women started their week-long training at Fort Benning, Georgia, on Monday, Nov. 10, and underwent rigorous preparation, both physically and mentally, to give them a concept of what students in the all-male Ranger program experience on a daily basis.
The Ranger course
This 62-day long program is known for being extremely challenging, noted the Washington Post. It begins at Fort Benning, where soldiers complete a collection of rigorous challenges. They are then sent to the mountain portion of the training, which is held at Camp Frank D. Merrill in Dahlonega, Georgia. The training concludes with the swamp phase at Camp James E. Rudder at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. Additionally, candidates must successfully complete the Ranger Physical Assessment. This includes a 12-mile march, the Combat Water Survival Assessment and a land navigation test.
Military Times noted that in order to earn the title of Ranger at the end of the 62 days, servicemembers must achieve a passing grade for at least one patrol leadership exercise, good peer reviews and less than three negative reports.
Working toward integration
According to the Washington Post, the women were chosen after undergoing an intense application process. They were interviewed by various Army officials and had to complete Ranger course-style challenges before being selected.
Military Times reported that they will participate in the spring training as assistants for official instructors, though they will not be able to actually grade or evaluate Ranger candidates. Nor can they participate in the program themselves, according to current Army rules. While allowing women to participate in this external capacity is certainly a step in the right direction, The Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade, which facilitates the course, is working toward full integration by the end of next year, according to Military Times.
Adjustments are already being planned to accommodate gendered barracks and bathrooms, as well as to modify acceptance standards for female candidates based on medical records. Military Times noted that the service hopes the addition of these new female observers will encourage women to apply when the program is open to them.
While the decision to bring women into this historically difficult and all-male program caused some controversy, reactions from officials have been positive so far.
"I was very satisfied with both the quality and quantity of the volunteers we received. Their performance and professionalism over the course of the week was extraordinary. This group did very well for what was a very physically challenging week for any soldier," said Maj. Gen. Scott Miller, commanding general of the Maneuver Center of Excellence at Fort Benning, reported the Washington Post.