Women to serve as observers, advisers for potential Ranger Course Assessment

By MCoC Public AffairsNovember 18, 2014

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The Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade selected 31 female Soldiers to serve as observers and advisers for a potential Ranger Course Assessment that would begin this spring after a weeklong training event to prepare the candidates to understand the ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT BENNING, Ga., (Nov. 19, 2014) -- Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade selected 31 female Soldiers to serve as observers and advisers for a potential Ranger Course Assessment that would begin this spring.

The observer and advisers include 11 officers and 20 noncommissioned officers.

Since Nov. 7, the Soldiers have been involved in a weeklong training event to prepare them to understand the mental and physical demands placed on Ranger students.

"I was very satisfied with both the quality and quantity of the volunteers we received," said Maj. Gen. Scott Miller, commanding general of the Maneuver Center of Excellence. "Their performance and professionalism over the course of the week was extraordinary. This group did very well for what was a very physically challenging week for any Soldier."

The decision on whether to conduct an assessment of the Ranger Course will be made in January 2015. If conducted, the assessment of the course would include both female and male Soldiers, as well as female Soldiers to serve as observers and advisers to the cadre who conduct the course.

"We had a lot of high performing individuals participate in the training this week," said Col. David Fivecoat, commander of the Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade. "The Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade put them through some of the events that Ranger students attempt during Ranger training, interviewed them, and have selected the most qualified to return and work with us as advisers and observers."

"Our Ranger instructors displayed the professionalism that is expected from our officers and noncommissioned officers," said Command Sgt. Maj. Curtis H. Arnold Jr., of ARTB. "The overwhelming opinion from the (observers and advisers) candidates was that this was the most challenging, professional and rewarding experience of their careers. ... It truly reinforces our motto, Rangers Lead the Way," Arnold said.

The Ranger Course is 62 days long and conducted in three phases: the Benning Phase, which takes place here at Camps Rogers and Darby; the mountain phase at Camp Frank D. Merrill in Dahlonega, Georgia, and the swamp and jungle phase at Camp James E. Rudder at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

During each phase Ranger students must receive a "passing grade" in one leadership position during a patrol, a positive peer review and no more than three major negative spot reports. In addition, they must successfully complete the Ranger Physical Assessment, a 12-mile road march, a land navigation course and the Combat Water Survival Assessment.