I heard a slightly but significantly different version from several sources, including a skeptical and non-political officer at Ranger School. My understanding is that the women were selected as the most qualified and fit women in the Army, so they may not be representative of how the average Army woman might perform, and that they were given extra training before arriving there, just as many men have received extra training or time off for training to prepare for Ranger School. They were, however, measured against the same benchmarks as everyone else once they were physically at Ranger School, including when recycled.
Based on first-person sources that I will not identify in more detail, I believe that their Ranger tabs are legit. I just hope the Army continues to uphold Ranger standards for women who are not in the “first class of women”.
First, your lack of “sources” other” than your “word” weakens your statement.
Second: You stated “They were, however, measured against the same benchmarks as everyone else once they were physically at Ranger School, including when recycled” The article stated that males had a pass fail, no do overs. So while the specific standards may have been the same for each event, the do-overs says they were given more chances than the males, thus you cannot say the standards — all the standards were the same.
Finally, wonder how that two star would feel in combat if his life depended solely on the two female Rangers Ranger training to save his life.
Only the cream of the Army should be going to Ranger School, whether they be male or female. The standards must remain high for the best of the best. I truly hope the Daily Mail is wrong about this. Those two female Rangers will have to prove themselves over and over again. I hope they are up to the challenges.
It’s not unreasonable to assume that 2% of a very select group of extraordinarily gifted women could legitimately graduate from Ranger School, especially given multiple recycle opportunities. Those two women are exceptional even if some of the standards were relaxed. But despite what the Army did to given women a chance, only 2 of 100 succeeded. And remember, Ranger School is not combat, it a leader development course designed to put leaders in stressful situations that are close to combat, but without the shock of real combat. Believe me, that part is significant.
Allowing women to be assigned to the ground gaining combat arms is irresponsible, and no matter how many women are awarded with a Ranger Tab, or how many may experience combat in the course of their other Army duties will not change that simple fact.
My contacts indicate the opposite and support the allegations of favoritism and lowering of standards; Instances where they were not forced to carry their share of crew-served weapons, lighter packs, more time to rest, etc. . .this does not surprise as it aligns with my personal observation: I was in a fighter squadron when we were TOLD the first female to fly fighters would be coming to our squadron and she WILL check-out MR on-time, will up-grade to 2-ship and 4-ship flight lead on-time, and by the way, we need three volunteers to stand with public affairs during a press conference in 3-hrs, supporting her arrival.
Thing is, there is no such thing as ‘on-time’ for any of the check-out processes, just number of rides and those rides may be extended or shortened depending on how well you perform.
Oh, and the fact that we in the fighter world are harsh and unforgiving mostly during post-flight de-briefs, and the fact she CRIED during de-briefs and the instructors were told to back off, sheesh. . .like any male would be given the soft-treatment instead of being washed out for being unable to handle the stress. . .and this female was going to fly fighters?
Of course, I will not mention she said in a interview in the local paper that she was a vegan because she was morally opposed to killing animals for food but yet she was willing to shred people (too include those unfortunate innocents that would be collateral damage).
Did your "first-person sources" tell you they were allotted 4 months to get through a 40 day course and got no-go after no-go after no-go until being waved through?