FORT BENNING, Ga. — This week 1st Lt. Shaye Haver, who once lived near Enterprise, Alabama, made history by becoming one of the first two females to pass the Army Ranger’s rigorous training, and earning the special operations group’s famous black and yellow Ranger tab.
Haver’s class began the program with 380 men and 19 women. Only 94 men and 2 women are graduating Friday.
Haver, and the other successful female in her class Captain Kristen Griest, were part of the first Ranger class to allow women to compete for the renowned training.
According to the Washington Post, of the 19 women who began the training, only 8 made it through the assessments of the first four days. All 8 women then failed the first “Darby Phase” twice, and only three, including Griest and Haver were allowed to try Ranger School again. The so-called “Day 1 recycle” is an option that is offered on occasion to both men and women who excel in some aspects of Ranger School but fall short in something specific that can be improved.
The daughter of a military family, 1st Lt. Haver spent several years in the Enterprise, Alabama area, becoming known as a fierce competitor in club soccer before moving to Texas. She then received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where she graduated in 2012.
“Each Ranger School graduate has shown the physical and mental toughness to successfully lead organizations at any level,” said Army Secretary John McHugh in a statement congratulating the class. “This course has proven that every soldier, regardless of gender, can achieve his or her full potential.”
“We owe soldiers the opportunity to serve successfully in any position where they 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,” McHugh continued.
The U.S. Military is reportedly still deciding whether or not to allow women to participate in combat roles, with Secretary of Defense Ash Carter expected to make a final decision by the end of this year.
Because women are still not allowed to serve in the elite 75th Ranger Regiment, the two women will return to their original Army units.
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— Elizabeth BeShears (@LizEBeesh) January 21, 2015
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