First Gender-Integrated Infantry One Station Unit Training Company Graduates

By Mr. Christopher Warner (Benning)May 18, 2017

Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment Blue Cord Ceremony
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Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment Buddy Live Fire Training
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First Gender-Integrated Infantry One Station Unit Training Company Graduates
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Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment Super Squad
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Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment Buddy Live Fire Training
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First Gender-Integrated Infantry One Station Unit Training Company Graduates
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FORT BENNING, Georgia - One hundred forty-five Soldiers became the U.S. Army's newest Infantrymen to join the ranks of the Army's oldest branch today.

The graduating class 7-010, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, is the Army's first gender-integrated Infantry One Station Unit Training (OSUT), which graduated the first women Infantry noncommissioned officers, who will join the ranks of the first women lieutenants who graduated the Infantry Officer Basic Leaders Course in October 2016.

"I'm very proud of these Soldiers, both men and women, for meeting all the standards required to be a United States Army Infantryman. They are a true symbol of American resolve and patriotism. I wish them all the very best as they embark upon their new profession," said Lt. Col. Samuel Edwards, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment battalion commander.

The newly branched noncommissioned officers will be stationed at Fort Hood, TX and Fort Bragg, NC to ensure that leaders are in place prior to the first women Infantry Soldiers joining their formations early this summer.

Infantry One Station Unit Training is 14-weeks long. In the first 9-weeks of training civilians are taught the same skills taught in Basic Combat Training (BCT), which all non-combat arms Soldiers attend to become U.S. Army Soldiers. Once the trainees enter into the 5-week Infantry phase of training they become proficient with all squad-level weapons and Infantry small unit tactics.

Upon graduating the Infantrymen are physically tough, mentally strong, and combat-ready maneuver Soldiers ready to join their formations across the Army.

The Infantryman bares the insignia of the cross-rifles and wears the distinctive blue cord on their Army Service Uniform.