The Army announced Wednesday that it will open all future classes of Ranger School to women, lifting yet another barrier to women serving in combat.
Soldiers who meet the standards and prerequisites already in place will be able to attend the service’s most elite leadership training school regardless of gender, the Army said.
“The Army’s number one priority is combat readiness and leader development is a function of combat readiness,” said Chief of Staff of Army Gen. Mark A. Milley. “Giving every qualified soldier the opportunity to attend the Ranger Course, the Army’s premier small unit leadership school, ensures we are maintaining our combat readiness today, tomorrow and for future generations.”
The first two women to ever earn the Ranger tab passed Ranger School last month, but they were let in on a trial basis. A third woman began Ranger School this year with those two women, but had to re-do the program and is in the third and final Mountain Phase of training.
All of the services are looking at standards for combat positions as part of an effort to open all jobs to women by January. Defense Secretary Ash Carter will receive recommendations for any jobs services would like to keep closed by October.
