Page 4 - Desert Lightning News Sept. 2015

4 September 3, 2015
Women complete Swamp Phase, earn Army RangerTab
Army News Service
FORT BENNING, Ga.,— The U.S. Army
Maneuver Center of Excellence announced yes-
terday that 96 soldiers, including two women,
met the standards of the Swamp Phase and will
graduate from the Ranger Course Aug. 21.
Ranger School is the Army’s premier com-
bat leadership course, teaching Ranger students
how to overcome fatigue, hunger and stress to
lead soldiers during small-unit combat opera-
tions. A graduation ceremony will be held on
Victory Pond here for those students, who met
the standards of the entire Ranger Course.
The Ranger Course is a 62-day course on leader-
ship and small unit tactics that pushes Ranger stu-
dents to their mental and physical limits by forc-
ing them to operate on minimal food and sleep.
About 34 percent of students who enter Ranger
School recycle at least one phase of the course.
“Congratulations to all of our new Rangers.
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 sol-
diers 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,” Army Secretary John M. McHugh said.
Three Environments
During the course, students learn how to oper-
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ate in three different environments: woodlands in U.S. Army photo by Spc. Nikayla Shodeen
Fort Benning, mountainous terrain in Dahlonega,
Georgia, and coastal swamp in Eglin Air Force Base, A female soldier participates in combatives training during
Florida. Highlights of the course include a physical the Ranger Course on Fort Benning, Ga., April 20. Two women
fitness test consisting of 49 push-ups, 59 sit-ups, a met the standards of the Ranger Course and will be the first
5-mile run in 40 minutes six chin-ups; a swim test; females to earn the Ranger Tab, but due to current restrictions
a land navigation test; a 12-mile foot march in three regarding women in certain combat roles, the female gradu-
hours; several obstacle courses; four days of mili- ates cannot apply to join the 75th Ranger Regiment, an elite
tary mountaineering; three parachute jumps; four special operations force.
air assaults on helicopters; multiple rubber boat
movements; and 27 days of mock combat patrols. mountains during platoon level combat patrols and
moved on to the Swamp Phase on Aug. 1. The two
About 165 men and two women began the women also met the standards of the Swamp Phase,
training in the coastal swamps of Eglin Air Force proficiently leading waterborne platoon level com-
Base on Aug. 1. Students selected to recycle the bat patrols and will earn the Ranger Tab, Aug. 21.
Swamp Phase will start the phase again Aug. 29.
Advising Congress
Nineteen women and 381 men started Ranger Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis told
Class 06-15 on April 20. Eight women successfully reporters today that the Defense Department is re-
completed RAP week; however, all were recycled quired to advise Congress of its “intent to integrate.”
into Ranger Class 07-15 as Darby inserts for a sec- “We’re proceeding in a measured and respon-
ond attempt at patrolling. After the second Darby sible way to open positions to women and in all
Phase attempt, five were dropped from the course cases, notify Congress prior to opening them,” Da-
and three were given a Day One recycle into Ranger vis said. “It is our intent to announce the final deci-
Class 08-15, starting the course again June 21. sions to integrate the remaining closed positions
and occupations to women and any approved ex-
These three women met the standards of the ceptions to policy around January 2016.”
Benning Phase and moved on to the Mountain
Phase on July 10. All three women passed the
knot test, military mountaineering skills assess-
ment and the foot movement up Mount Yonah,
and they were given opportunities to lead pa-
trols. One woman recycled into Ranger Class
09-15 to start the Mountain Phase again Aug. 9.
Two women received a passing grade in the
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