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Nineteen women began in the class of 400. The two who graduated are both West Point grads. Both "recycled" through one phase of the program before completing it. One woman has "recycled" through two phases and is still a candidate to finish. Typically, male soldiers recycle at least one phase as well.
I've got a different take on women in combat. The debate is actually over a moot point. Since Desert Storm, women have been in the crossfire of the front line, though until the latter phases of Operation Iraqi Freedom, they weren't recognized as filling a combatant's role. That's hogwash, because they most definitely came under fire as well as returning fire.
We lost an Apache in Iraq in 1991, in desert mountain terrain. A female captain, a medivac pilot, took a Blackhawk in there to get them out while we flew cover for her. Under heavy fire and despite being wounded, she got our crew out safely. To that I could only say "Hoo-ah!" I say the same to these newly minted Rangers.
I've got a different take on women in combat. The debate is actually over a moot point. Since Desert Storm, women have been in the crossfire of the front line, though until the latter phases of Operation Iraqi Freedom, they weren't recognized as filling a combatant's role. That's hogwash, because they most definitely came under fire as well as returning fire.
We lost an Apache in Iraq in 1991, in desert mountain terrain. A female captain, a medivac pilot, took a Blackhawk in there to get them out while we flew cover for her. Under heavy fire and despite being wounded, she got our crew out safely. To that I could only say "Hoo-ah!" I say the same to these newly minted Rangers.
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