Army Ranger School now open to all qualified female soldiers

On the heels of a two-year-old Pentagon decision to allow women serving in the military to perform combat duties, the U.S. Army is opening its elite Ranger School to all qualified female soldiers for the first time.

The decision to open Ranger training to everyone comes after two female officers -- Capt. Kristen Griest and 1st Lt. Shaye Haver -- successfully completed the gruelling course last month.

The Ranger School is the Army's premier small-unit tactics and leadership school, in which students who meet the tough standards of the course earn the right to don the Ranger Tab. From the school, graduates go on to serve in a variety of leadership and combat roles in Army units.

"We must ensure that this training opportunity is available to all soldiers who are qualified and capable, and we continue to look for ways to select, train and retain the best soldiers to meet our nation's needs," Secretary of the Army John McHugh said.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley said the Army's No. 1 priority is combat readiness, and developing leadership is a major part of that.

"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," Milley said.