It appears the first two females at Ranger School might graduate soon. What questions does this answer?

I agree. The ONLY question it answers is that TWO women were physically, mentally, and emotionally capable to withstand the intense rigors of Ranger training. We already know that ten of thousands of very capable men failed miserably before them, and will continue to do so after these two women presumably graduate. I'd say that means the odds of the percentage of women passing future training sessions, whether BUDs, Rangers, or Delta, will almost certainly remain the same...thereby, answering the same question in the same manner if and/or when asked again.

I agree SFC (Join to see) Is that a can of Rip-it?

Your right. They shouldn't have got any more training than their male counterparts. That is sexist for the them to think they couldn't hack it just like a male soldiers.

COL Charles Williams - Yes Sir, it most certainly is.

Women throughout history have been known to be fierce fighters! So I'd have to say yes, they should be allowed to.

However, that being said. I believe that anyone volunteering for the position (man or woman) should sign a waiver barring them from the ability to sue. Because they should be forwarned that the work they are doing is knowingly placing themselves in harms way!

Please tell me of one battle anywhere won primarily because women were in combat.

LCDR T.J. S. - Maybe heavy lifting is not needed in the Navy or Coast Guard, it is in the Infantry, Armor and Artillery. Maybe you never saw a crew of four young men struggling to repair a tank track (tread) in a mud hole in the middle of nowhere and all the extreme physical strength it takes? Maybe you never saw an artillery crew have to lift heavy projectiles to load a cannon? Maybe you never had to serve in a very remote outpost free of any modern conveniences for weeks on end? Maybe you have heard the NFL and NBA clamoring for female players? I haven't and for good reason. Maybe you need to rethink your ideas and focus more on winning battles than creating left wing social experiments designed to degrade and destroy unit cohesion.

Women are being sent to Ranger School to meet some politically correct statement, not for any Army "needs." No other Special Ops services have this special training available to women. Why the US Army?

I would agree... SPC George Rudenko

Thanks COL Charles Williams

BS.

Physiology has changed? Physical ability has changed? Women are now competing in men's sports and winning? No CSM, and all the wishing on our part, all the rosy statements we pronounce will not change anything.

SSG Todd Lysfjord I sorta agree, that this does not answer the core question of "should women be allowed to serve in direct combat MOSs and jobs;" conventional and special operations. As you know - any one, from any branch, can go to Ranger School, but that does not mean you are going to Ranger unit. My class was about 60% LTs, Officers, and NCOs from the Army - all going back to the Army, a handful of Allies and joint special ops types, and about 40% "bat boys" as they were called, going through Ranger School after being assigned to Battalions and earning the opportunity to attend. I think my class composition was pretty typical.

I am still confused, as to why we have not done a pilot with Infantry/Armor (etc) OSUT and BOLC, like the Marines did, as Sgt Matt Koeneman stated. I guess that is why I was not asked to be the CSA.

It does answer one question. Does social influences affect the Army?

Social influences seem to drive alot lately...

When are you pro women in front line combat jobs going to demand women in the NFL and NBA? Surely that equality is missing too?

Best. Comment. Ever.

CPT (Join to see) - You are quite right. But the problem that I see is that the women that could make it through without the extra prep did not volunteer. Probably because they did not want to appear or be political pawns.

CPT (Join to see) You are correct. I am not a Regimental insider... (duh); I have many friends and colleagues who are. But, I do know this has been a long standing issue... Ranger School (TRADOC, Benning) and The Regiment. When I went in 85 (1985), it was open to all branches, MOSs, but the vast majority were Infantry LTs, then some other LTs like me (AR) (We had Signal, Chem, AG, MP, etc), a few Infantry CPTS, and a MAJ, some Infantry NCOs, a few allied dudes, a hand full of SF, SEALS, etc... and a bunch of Bat Boys. The stated reason for Ranger School at the time was a "small unit leaders course, designed to prepare leaders from the Army to lead small units in combat." It was not an infantry course.

In the mid - 90s when Les Aspin opened many positions to women, the Infantry changed the mission to a course for Infantry and those who supported them on the ground. The narrative changed to this was a course for the Infantry and their closest supporters. For almost 10 years it was just for just infantry, scouts, special ops, FOs, etc.; a very select crew. Around about 2005, then opened it back up to all, which was a good thing, as I believe all leaders can benefit from this. If I were CSA, I would make all LTs go....

I believe the as the Regiment has grown and developed, the divide, and their desire to separate the school from regiment (the real rangers according to them) has grown; I think this has gotten worse with things like taking the black beret... and most recently with desire/pressure to open up all MOSs...

That said, I don't think this solves the core question... "Should women be allowed to serve in direct combat roles?" (those currently closed). I think it answers, if given the right conditions, and preparation, as you said... They can complete any school in the military... If they want to. I still remain confused as to why we did not do an OSUT/BOLC pilot...

COL Charles Williams - I recall a few years back the Regt wanted the RTB to lose their Tan Berets. I have come connections and this isn't going to fair well for the ones that are mission focused. Some are using this to lunch their careers.

They won't. My contacts at Benning tell me these two and the 38 year old female major got more recycles than can be counted and their tabs were orders from Washington. The Major even earned the title Mommy Ranger behind her back. How's that for respect?

Thanks for post MCPO (Join to see)