8 women, 184 men remain in Ranger School assessment

Army Times — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 09:40:21 -0400

From: Army Times

Eight women and 184 men have successfully completed the first four days of Ranger School, officials at Fort Benning, Georgia, announced Thursday.

This period is commonly known as RAP week, with RAP standing for Ranger Assessment Phase.

During those four days, the soldiers were evaluated on a series of punishing physical events. They had to conduct a physical fitness test consisting of 49 push-ups, 59 sit-ups, six chin-ups and a five-mile run in under 40 minutes.

They also underwent a swim test and a land navigation test. The soldiers also had to complete a 12-mile foot march wearing a 35-pound rucksack in under three hours.

A total of 19 female and 381 male soldiers started the two-month Ranger School on Monday.

Three women and 78 men were eliminated from training after the PT test on the first day.

After RAP week, eight women and 184 men remained in training – this represents an overall success rate of 48 percent, according to the statement from Fort Benning.

There was a 42.1 percent success rate for the female soldiers and a 48.3 percent success rate for the male students, according to Fort Benning.

Officials said these numbers are "within historic norms for the Ranger course."

The training that began Monday is a one-time, integrated assessment at the Army's famously punishing Ranger School.

The assessment is part of a wider effort to determine whether and how to open combat arms jobs to women, and it is a first for Ranger School, which until now has been open only to men.

On average, about 45 percent of Ranger School students will graduate. As many as 60 percent of all Ranger School failures will occur in the first four days of RAP week.

In fiscal 2014, PT test failures made up the largest number of Ranger School failures.

Twenty women qualified to attend the integrated Ranger School assessment after successfully completing the Army National Guard Ranger Training Assessment Course.

To prepare for the April assessment, the Army required female candidates to attend the two-week RTAC, setting aside seats for female candidates in each iteration of the course between January and April.

RTAC has historically been a strong indicator of whether a candidate will be successful at Ranger School. Data has shown that more than half of the soldiers who complete RTAC will successfully complete Ranger School.

Women who successfully complete Ranger School will receive a certificate and be awarded the coveted Ranger tab. They will not, however, be assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment, which is separate from Ranger School.

http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/careers/army/2015/04/23/integrated-ranger-school-rap-week-update/26260827/

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2015 9:45 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 09:45:46 -0400

Seems like the ones that are left are statistically keeping up with everybody else.
I wish them all good training, the Army may be about to tab it's first female Rangers.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2015 10:11 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 10:11:22 -0400

Now we are seeing what it is like. They have still so much ahead of them. Keep in mind that they have yet to really ruck yet. They will be starting missions next. That is when they will have the tick on their back. I am not really surprised yet. I pretty much figured some would make it. I have no doubt that our female soldiers are great nonetheless. But now that the weight comes they will held to the the task by not only their RI's but their Peers. I would like to see one of them get handed the 240. Keep in mind also that people will get peered. You can't stop that. It is the way things are. If they get peered they will be done. We will see. Ranger is such a dynamic school for the best of the best. A lot of those out there really don't understand how it works. But we will see how it is in two weeks.

Response by SPC Michael Frugoli made Apr 24 at 2015 11:09 AM

SPC Michael Frugoli — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 11:09:12 -0400

Keep pushing! it was something I was never able to do or even try out for. Good luck to the men and women.

Response by 1SG John Keefer made Apr 24 at 2015 11:27 AM

1SG John Keefer — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 11:27:40 -0400

Best of luck to all of those that are in this Ranger Class. I was in Ranger Course 10-92, and made it without being recycled. It doesn't matter the gender. If you have what it takes to be a Ranger, then go for it and push yourself. RLTW.

Response by SSG Todd Lysfjord made Apr 24 at 2015 11:32 AM

SSG Todd Lysfjord — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 11:32:09 -0400

Seriously though...good luck to them and I hope they get a fair shake with the same standards across the board.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2015 5:49 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 05:49:06 -0400

These women are not combat arms soldiers. Why are we wasting the taxpayer's dollar giving them training for mere ego gratification, that they don't need. This is a political stunt and obviously not IAW the "needs of the Army."

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2015 6:11 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 06:11:23 -0400

Response by SSG Todd Lysfjord made May 7 at 2015 5:36 PM

SSG Todd Lysfjord — Thu, 07 May 2015 17:36:06 -0400

Birds told me all remaining women failed Darby and are being recycled...