Is the third time a charm? - 3 women have started their 3rd attempt Ranger School.

2015-06-22T16:59:39-04:00

The 3 remaining women who attempted the Darby Phase twice, but were eventually dropped and who were allowed to recycle to a Day 1 restart, start over yesterday with RAP week.

I wish them luck!

As I said previously, I for one, am thankful I never got recycled, let alone to 1 Day.... I am not sure I would have accepted a Day 1 restart after two attempts at Darby...

http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/careers/army/2015/06/19/ranger-school-women-third-try/28929569/

3rd try: 3 women to restart Ranger School Sunday

Three female soldiers will start Ranger School again on Sunday in a third attempt to make it through the grueling two-month course.

Response by LTC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2015 5:03 PM

2015-06-22T17:03:09-04:00

I started three times, I got dropped the first one for medical reason then went back a few months later and got a day one recycle after Darby phase. It's a tough course that is very demanding I applaud them for having the intestinal fortitude to try again. On another note I almost wish they would take the pull-ups and push-ups out of it sopeople will stop saying that the standards are unrealistic. Those are the only two events that I can think of that are primarily upper body related.

Response by LTC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2015 5:04 PM

2015-06-22T17:04:40-04:00

Let me just add one thing before my response gets blown up. I agree the standard should not change if you take away the pull-ups or the push-ups what is next, the 5 mile run? The swim test?. The only thing I'm trying to say is those are the only two things I can think of that are directly upper body related.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jun 22 at 2015 5:12 PM

2015-06-22T17:12:31-04:00

COL Charles Williams thanks including me on this post. Since I have never been through ranger school I can't comment like LTC(P) Private RallyPoint Member did with first hand knowledge, but I will say I give those three woman a lot of credit for going back through again a 3rd time. Most would have given up by now, but it sounds like they are on a mission to get through Ranger School! I hope they accomplish the mission!

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jun 22 at 2015 5:17 PM

2015-06-22T17:17:45-04:00

You are right COL Charles Williams, every graduate has experienced a little luck. These three Soldiers have exhibited a steadfast will to be there and to see it through, good on em and I as well wish them luck that they get a fair chance.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2015 5:20 PM

2015-06-22T17:20:27-04:00

If at first you don't succeed...

Never give up, never surrender!

Even if they don't make it, they will be an inspiration for those that do!!!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2015 5:30 PM

2015-06-22T17:30:43-04:00

I've never met anyone who passed as a Day 1 recycle. But, they had that very long cycle break, so they are fortunate to have plenty of time to recover enough to pass rap week the second time around.
Of course, anyone can pass the entry standards, that's the easy part. That's just used to whittle the class down to a manageable size. I would guess between the end of mountains and the beginning of Florida, two out of three will med drop for lower body issues. But, best of luck to them.

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jun 22 at 2015 5:34 PM

2015-06-22T17:34:01-04:00

Sooner or later, one or more will make it......just will take the right person.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2015 5:50 PM

2015-06-22T17:50:28-04:00

COL Charles Williams,

Sir,
While my expectation is that the road these 3 are traveling has broken plenty of those in pursuit of being awarded the coveted Ranger Tab, I have the highest hopes they will be worthy and succeed in their endeavors.

Response by SSG Martin Reyna made Jun 22 at 2015 7:16 PM

2015-06-22T19:16:54-04:00

Great demonstration of will power and fortitude. But, I believe that there should be a limited amount of consecutive tries. There is a lot of money and time spent on this course. If someone could not pass the course they should be returned to there unit. There they can train harder and longer and try again later. Standards should definitely not be lowered.

Don't fix it if it isn't broken..

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2015 9:06 PM

2015-06-22T21:06:33-04:00

I follow the baseball "three strikes" process. Give them three chances in the recycle process. If they fail the third time, NO GO!
Not judt for women, but men as well.

Response by PO3 Sherry Thornburg made Jun 23 at 2015 12:59 AM

2015-06-23T00:59:44-04:00

Keep trying ladies. Anything worth while is worth working for.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2015 7:57 AM

2015-06-23T07:57:50-04:00

Sounds like they have the courage to keep trying.

Response by MAJ Chris Ballard made Jun 23 at 2015 9:04 AM

2015-06-23T09:04:52-04:00

Day one recycle at the end of Darby is a far cry from Day 1 at the end of Mountains or - God forbid - Florida. I was fortunate enough to get through in one go. I'm not sure I had enough anger (or, more realistically, fear of how I would be perceived showing up at my first unit tab-less) to do a Day One Recycle.

I wish them the best. Also, from everything I've seen and read, the women who participated in the training are very vocally against any change in the standards.

Response by SFC Benjamin Mulkey made Jun 23 at 2015 9:51 AM

2015-06-23T09:51:23-04:00

I have to completely disagree an the thought process revolving around diminishing the importance of upper body strength and endurance. You simply cannot diminish the importance of those factors and their value in the mission. It actually boils down to safety. Trainees in the course must be able to demonstrate that marginal level of upper body strength for the tasks ahead of them. ie. Mountaineering, small boat operations, etc.. There are tasks that require upper body strength and endurance. The standards for Ranger School are MINIMAL in comparison to those upheld as the REAL standards for excellence in actual units. Even in a basic Infantry unit there are some small units (All leadership driven) that refuse to accept anything beneath the extended scale of the PT test as anything to be proud of. But the minimum standards of Ranger School are in place to protect the trainees for the tasks ahead of them when climbing, rappelling (Buddy Rappel), and conducting capsize drills on the boats in Florida. So, I disagree with the removal of these events.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Jun 23 at 2015 10:17 AM

2015-06-23T10:17:23-04:00

I wish them the best of luck with this endeavor, I read that all 3 passed the fitness test and are on to Darby Phase again. My only question would be, if they fail to advance once again, will they be recycled once more?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 23 at 2015 3:04 PM

2015-06-23T15:04:21-04:00

I would like to understand the reasoning of trying to qualify them in the most strenuous infantry training.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2015 6:07 PM

2015-06-23T18:07:42-04:00

Good for them! I wish them the best and I hope the are able to pave the way for other able bodied women that want to take the challenge. As for me no thank you.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 25 at 2015 5:31 AM

2015-06-25T05:31:58-04:00

3 times a charm or 3 strikes you're out? I hope that one day a woman will pass Ranger school, but I don't think these ones will (though I hope they do).

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2015 7:35 PM

2015-06-30T19:35:41-04:00

The third time was a charm for me. Failed land nav the first go, got med-dropped for a knee injury the second, and went straight through my third try.