Posted on Apr 28, 2016
Woman becomes nation's first ever female Army infantry officer
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Congratulations CPT Kristen Griest! Great accomplishment!
In December 2015 the Defense Secretary opened all combat roles to women.
Captain Kristen Griest will become America's first ever female Army infantry officer as she graduates from training today.
She has completed the Maneuver Captains Career Course at Fort Benning, Georgia, passing a two-month leadership course necessary for holding a command position.
Captain Griest has already completed Ranger and Airborne School and could take charge of her infantry unit of about 150 soldiers in Spring next year.
Women were banned from combat positions until 2013 when the long-standing limitation was overturned by the Pentagon.
But it was only in December 2015 that Defense Secretary Ash Carter ordered all combat positions to be made open to women.
Captain Greist became the first woman to complete Ranger School last year, after which she returned to serve at her home base at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Her course at the Ranger School was part a research program undertaken by the US Army to determine whether women should be admitted into combat units.
A spokesman at Fort Benning, Georgia said: 'Like any other officer, male or female, that wants to transfer their branch, she took the opportunity and applied for an exception to the Army policy to transfer her branch from Military Police to Infantry.'
Sue Fulton, a member of the 1980 West Point class that was the first to include women, told the Fresno Bee that she has full confidence in Captain Griest: 'Having gotten to know her, I can tell you that the last thing Kris... is the kind of officer we need in the infantry: extremely tough, smart, a quiet professional and a team player.
'She is the first of a select group of women who will step up to the challenges of Army Infantry, and make it stronger through their talent and selfless service.'
As of 2015, women make up about 15 per cent of the U.S. military. More than 165,000 women are enlisted and active in the armed services with over 35,000 additional women serving as officers.
This summer Fort Benning will see 22 women will enroll in its Armor and Infantry Basic Officer Leadership Courses.
In December 2015 the Defense Secretary opened all combat roles to women.
Captain Kristen Griest will become America's first ever female Army infantry officer as she graduates from training today.
She has completed the Maneuver Captains Career Course at Fort Benning, Georgia, passing a two-month leadership course necessary for holding a command position.
Captain Griest has already completed Ranger and Airborne School and could take charge of her infantry unit of about 150 soldiers in Spring next year.
Women were banned from combat positions until 2013 when the long-standing limitation was overturned by the Pentagon.
But it was only in December 2015 that Defense Secretary Ash Carter ordered all combat positions to be made open to women.
Captain Greist became the first woman to complete Ranger School last year, after which she returned to serve at her home base at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Her course at the Ranger School was part a research program undertaken by the US Army to determine whether women should be admitted into combat units.
A spokesman at Fort Benning, Georgia said: 'Like any other officer, male or female, that wants to transfer their branch, she took the opportunity and applied for an exception to the Army policy to transfer her branch from Military Police to Infantry.'
Sue Fulton, a member of the 1980 West Point class that was the first to include women, told the Fresno Bee that she has full confidence in Captain Griest: 'Having gotten to know her, I can tell you that the last thing Kris... is the kind of officer we need in the infantry: extremely tough, smart, a quiet professional and a team player.
'She is the first of a select group of women who will step up to the challenges of Army Infantry, and make it stronger through their talent and selfless service.'
As of 2015, women make up about 15 per cent of the U.S. military. More than 165,000 women are enlisted and active in the armed services with over 35,000 additional women serving as officers.
This summer Fort Benning will see 22 women will enroll in its Armor and Infantry Basic Officer Leadership Courses.
Woman becomes nation's first ever female Army infantry officer
Posted from dailymail.co.uk
Women in the Military
Infantry
Ranger
Edited >1 y ago
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 37
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I wish her luck. I have worked for some great female leaders in the past. If she follows the path and wisdom of previous great leaders, she should do fine. But I expect it will be a uphill battle for her. Not because of her talents, but because some folks fight change, no matter what.
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CPT Pedro Meza
Captain Kristen Griest is one hell of a Warrior She has to fight our male idiots while preparing to fight ISIS; poor ISIS, because she will take out her frustration on those men.
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I wish her success. I believe it is unfair for her to be thrown into the mix as a commander, because the formulative years of an infantry officer is at the platoon level. That is where he (or she now) sees what it take to be a leader in ground forces with the guidance and mentorship of the NCO's around them. Her field experience with the MP's does not match that of the infantry. I hope she has a good 1SG to help mentor and guide her on the experience she missed as a junior officer.
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MAJ (Join to see)
I agree, although she did time as a MP plt lder, she will be at a great disadvantage to those that served in combat and wear a CIB, she does not even have a CAB which will be hard for her in a combat unit.
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SSG Robert Webster
MAJ (Join to see) - What will tell the tale, is whether or not she earns her EIB. At least in the 82nd, which is probably where she will be going, CIB holders without an EIB, will normally have to attempt to earn their EIB. If she does not earn it by the second time around, her career in the Infantry will either be toast, or everyone will have drank the Kool-Aid. She may get deployed and get a CIB, but without the EIB, it will be difficult, no matter how you try to spin it.
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