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In basic officer training, this young woman was offered the chance to take the physical exam for acceptance into Ranger school, the Army's legendarily tough commando course. She and two other women aced the test – even though they were barred from attending the male-only school or to join Ranger units.

Something doesn't sound right here. My son, who is currently a paratrooper in the US Army, was trying to go to RASP, which is a testing phase to see if you qualify to go to a Ranger Unit (different from Ranger SCHOOL). The test was the standard Army PT. The minimum was a 240, the max is a 300 (although there are ways to get bonus points, but that's another topic).

And this is from http://www.ehow.com/facts_5484288_requirements-army-ranger-school.html#ixzz1BZ68KRPg

Ranger Assessment Phase •During induction to the school, candidates must pass a physical exam, typically held over five days. Candidates must be able to do at least 49 push-ups, 59 sit-ups, run 5 miles in no more than 40 minutes, six chin-ups, march 12 miles and pass day and night navigation tests.

So, let's just say that she did get the maximum PT score, that doesn't mean that she would have made it through Ranger School. Many 'aces' start the school, but never make it through. One of the determining factors to becoming a Ranger is peer assesment. You may be able to do the physical stuff, but if your buds don't trust you, then you don't get the tab or go to a Ranger unit. There is much more to the school than push ups and chin ups.

However, I like the suggestion of someone here saying let them (an all female group) try to go through Ranger School. If they can do it fine, give them a tab, but don't treat them any different than the men. On this, I'd like to hear from some former Rangers on what their thoughts would be on that.

The issue I have is what does it do to unit integrity. I was on a submarine and putting women on submarines will not be good to that end. Some people will get a 'bunk buddy' but that will just put unnecessary sexual tension in a place that doesn't need it. I think the same problem would be encountered with women in isolated front combat units.

>>Ranger Assessment Phase •During induction to the school, candidates must pass a physical exam, typically held over five days. Candidates must be able to do at least 49 push-ups, 59 sit-ups, run 5 miles in no more than 40 minutes, six chin-ups, march 12 miles and pass day and night navigation tests.<<

Except for the night navigation, that’s SOP for Parris Island. BTW, does all this mean that boot camp is going to be coed? Horrors! BAMs and TURDs are a bad mix.

You are exactly correct. There is more to being a Ranger than getting through RASP. My son is enlisted on an Airborne Contract, they offered him a Ranger Contract he turned down. Even if you make it through RASP you don’t automatically go to school, it is earned through your unit. You can be in a Ranger Bat for years before you go to school. My son really wanted Airborne, although he will drop a packet after he gets to his unit, you are not with Ranger Bat but you do get the school. From what I understand, if you are peered out/wash out you are done.

My other son had about 20 from his basic co. go to RASP only 2 made it. Of those 2 both had PT scores of 347 while in basic, they made them do combatives to see who got the top dog at graduation.