This week, two women made Army Ranger history. Capt. Kristen Griest and 1st Lt. Shay Haver have just become the first females to complete the Army Ranger program. This program is the Army's "premier, direct-action raid force," according to the U.S. Army website. It is their most grueling program, lasting for 62 days. While 20 women were enrolled in the Ranger program, Griest and Haver were the only two to successfully complete it.
Why Is This So Important?
For decades, women have been fighting for the right to be allowed in direct-combat programs like the Army Rangers. This past program was the very first Ranger School program to be gender integrated. The biggest argument for many opponents of women in direct-combat programs has been the belief that women would not be able to handle the harsh physical situations members find themselves in. Yet Capt. Griest and 1st Lt. Haver have proven those naysayers wrong. They completed the program alongside 94 men, proving that they are just as capable and deserving of the coveted black-and-yellow Ranger Tab.
By being the first to reach this honor, these women have paved the way for future generations of females in the military. No longer will people be able to argue that females are not physically capable of direct-combat positions. These women are my inspiration, and they should be the inspiration of all women looking to advance in the world. Be it in the military, in business, or in the medical field, Capt. Kristen Griest and 1st Lt. Shaye Haver have demonstrated that with great skill and determination, you can achieve your dreams—even if you have to be the first one like you to do it.
