In the next couple of weeks two female soldiers will graduate from the Army’s legendary Ranger School. I am sure that Army school is not an easy process to go through. I salute them for wanting to fight for their country. Not too many women apply for any division of the military, so this is an accomplishment for women everywhere.
Their graduation will mark a milestone for the Army in the military’s ongoing effort to let women be a part of frontline combat. By opening this initiative, the military encourages it to happen without having to compromise any standards.
The two soldiers were part of a group of 19 women soldiers who had to pass a rigorous screening process to begin the physically demanding course. This course, in particular, had been closed to women since it opened more than six decades ago.
Those in the course had to take part in a grueling two-month program. If they do not pass on the first go, they are required to retake that phase of the course. The course is considered to be the Army’s most physically challenging with participants required to survive on little food and sleep despite the demanding physical activity they face each day. These women have to carry more than 100 pounds of gear through mountains and swamps.
Graduates get to wear the sought-after Ranger tab. It signifies their completion of the Army’s small unit leadership course for the infantry and other types of frontline troops. Each graduate has proven they can lead any organization throughout the course. The course proves that every soldier, regardless of gender, has achieved his or her fullest potential. However, women will not be able to join the infantry or other ground combat jobs. One of which includes the Ranger regiment, which has remained closed to women at least through this year.
Opening up the Ranger regiment for women is part of an assessment. All services have been ordered to determine the best way to open the infantry, Special Forces, and other ground combat jobs by sometime next year. The Pentagon has ordered that all occupations be open to women starting next year.
The military services have been steadily opening up jobs to women in the recent years. Maybe in the near future, more women will be in the military. Soon enough, there could be equal amounts of both genders in the military. Women will not have to be inferior to men while in the military.
