POTUS to attend Ranger graduation of 1st females to 'complete course.

2015-08-16T14:40:11-04:00

Great article on the entire state of the military today.
Question: Do you agree that POTUS announcing attendance of Ranger graduation before students meet requirements could be seen as "Undo Command Influence?"

President Plans To Attend Ranger School Ceremony; This Guarantees First Women Will Graduate

When the President says he’s attending graduation for Ranger School, something he’s never shown interest in prior to this class, there’s obviously a reason.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Aug 16 at 2015 3:29 PM

2015-08-16T15:29:23-04:00

I think it's simply premature to announce that POTUS will be attending an event that is not certain in it's outcome. Though the stats and everything are definitely in favor of this happening. Go get that tab ladies, you're almost there!

There should be no "command influence" this late in the game, It's been made clear from the get go that everyone completes the course based on the standards not the expectation of a milestone being met.

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Aug 16 at 2015 3:29 PM

2015-08-16T15:29:39-04:00

That's an interesting question. Can you please cite the source of this? I think language there is important, for example the White House could say "If they graduate, he will attend, etc." So the details are important.

Response by SGT Charlie Steward made Aug 16 at 2015 3:31 PM

2015-08-16T15:31:08-04:00

Of course it does. No one in their right mind will fail all of them now, no matter what. If they earn it, then I am all for it. But with the POTUS announcing his attendance now to see the first females graduate Ranger School, then there WILL be females attending that graduation.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2015 3:31 PM

2015-08-16T15:31:24-04:00

If the POTUS has made arrangements to be at Benning for the graduation the it is certain that at least one of the females has met all the academic gates to pass Ranger School and has gotten her "Go" for a Florida patrol. A student could theoretically achieve this on Day 1 of the final 10 day patrol depending on if they were assigned a graded position that first day. From there only negative spot reports and peers (both non-issues for the two females but still a real threat for their male counterparts as per command guidance), a violation of the Honor Code or sheer negligence can get them dropped from the course. The way Ranger School works is once you've passed 50% of all your graded patrols overall, passed one patrol at a minimum each phase, and passed all the academics and physical gates, you are good to graduate. Most students in Florida have all these blocks checked by Day 5/6 of the last 10 day patrol and they are just there as training aides for the ones who are struggling and just have to suck it up a few more days to meet the required number of training days completed.

That said, why is the POTUS going there? At best this merits the Army Chief of Staff or SECDEF. The POTUS' attendance over politicizes what is going on down there...but then again maybe that is what he wants since he has been so "progressive" with other aspects of making the US military the best politically correct organization in the world where everyone gets a trophy and wants his face to be associated with the event.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Aug 16 at 2015 3:34 PM

2015-08-16T15:34:17-04:00

Do you have a link to that article?

Response by PO2 Corey Ferretti made Aug 16 at 2015 3:35 PM

2015-08-16T15:35:38-04:00

Don't they graduate right after they complete final phase? How can you make arrangements with short notice woth knowing if they will graduate. And yes I would say undo command influence if he said he is going to attend the graduation with out them passing yet.

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made Aug 16 at 2015 4:06 PM

2015-08-16T16:06:55-04:00

You are making a very valid point, but honestly I have mixed feelings. Removing the gender segregating the combat arms is a huge milestone. I am one of those people who feels the Commander in Chief “should” be there to celebrate. But I also know one isn’t a Ranger until they GRADUATE. I seem to recall that the POTUS did not attend the first female academy graduations. I’ll have to research it. That was a different era and IMHO “should have been.”!

Response by SGT Lou Meza made Aug 16 at 2015 6:25 PM

2015-08-16T18:25:49-04:00

Yes , it could be seen as undue Command influence !

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Aug 16 at 2015 7:33 PM

2015-08-16T19:33:28-04:00

As mentioned by the esteemed LTC Yinon Weiss, the EXACT verbiage matters. DV (especially POTUS) visits require substantial bit of lead time. With two woman this far in it is unlikely that BOTH would fail. Depending on where they fall on the training schedule, they theoretically could have gotten to the point where they can't short of self elimination fail. I have been in a few course like that where there was very little I could do to fail the overall course in the last week short of not showing up.

Response by SPC Dave St.Andrew made Aug 16 at 2015 8:46 PM

2015-08-16T20:46:55-04:00

I noticed on AFN when they were talking about the 2 females, they said qoute "When the 2 females complete the course, they will be the first females to earn the ranger tab."

Response by SPC George Rudenko made Aug 16 at 2015 9:57 PM

2015-08-16T21:57:56-04:00

I read this SEVERELY editiorialized story, which seemed biased from the start,... and if that is the goals. Go for it.

Is there any PROOF that women were not heald to the same standards as men in Ranger School?

Is this any different from ANY politician attending the graduation of someone known like relatives etc.?

At a time when the downsizing of the military in this distressed economy, don't we need as much positive press as we can get?

I will always say, I don't care who fights with me, as long as they fight. As long as these women met the standards they are aces in my book.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2015 10:18 AM

2015-08-17T10:18:31-04:00

It's obvious the POS is looking for another photo op.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 17 at 2015 1:20 PM

2015-08-17T13:20:18-04:00

Women will become violent as there is not a perceived gender equality.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Aug 19 at 2015 9:52 AM

2015-08-19T09:52:04-04:00

Great question. Is he visiting because of the two females or was this a scheduled visit? I would leanr more toward the females because of the brass will want to make this a big deal. No that it isn't but this will boost the female's role in combat and open more doors for them.

Response by CSM Oscar Shaw III made Aug 19 at 2015 9:55 AM

2015-08-19T09:55:27-04:00

It's Gus prerogative as the CINC. That's a good thing as it shows those and other females he endorses their decision to dream of being all they can be.

Response by PFC Stephen Eric Serati made Aug 19 at 2015 10:03 AM

2015-08-19T10:03:16-04:00

The female soldiers deserve a fair shot.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Aug 19 at 2015 10:07 AM

2015-08-19T10:07:40-04:00

Why does it matter why the POTUS is visiting so much? So what if he is only going because of the two females. Politicians did the same thing when African American Soldiers first graduated from flight school. It's a huge step for the military to allow women into these new role and I think the President should attend and show his support of the program. I personally don't see a reason to make it any bigger of an issue than what it is.

Response by SGT Darryl Allen made Aug 19 at 2015 10:09 AM

2015-08-19T10:09:35-04:00

As a flight crewmember in the ARTB, I can almost guarantee the POTUS will not be coming to the graduation. We'd have heard some word and/or been interrogated by the secret service to ensure no flight crew posed any threat to the POTUS while we fly Rangers In Action.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2015 10:17 AM

2015-08-19T10:17:11-04:00

I hope someone tells him to bring his ID card. It would be embarrassing to be turned away at the front gate for not having an ID card.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Aug 19 at 2015 10:23 AM

2015-08-19T10:23:54-04:00

The last time I was at Fort Benning was for a Ranger induction of my oldest son in 2008. I was still a soldier but I was in mufti to watch my oldest son finishing RIP training and get inducted into the 3rd Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment. That ceremony was professionally and honorable run without any dig and pony shenanigans. I saw a number of Dog and Pony shows during my times at Fort Benning; but, thankfully they were few and far between with most graduations being very professional.
If POTUS attended a graduation or ceremony at Fort Benning or any other military graduation it would take tremendous courage and fortitude for the responsible military leaders to keep it professional and stop if from drifting towards the dog and pony extravaganza.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2015 10:41 AM

2015-08-19T10:41:10-04:00

When Obama gets involved with things, something has obviously been fucked with to make himself look like a good president.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2015 11:33 AM

2015-08-19T11:33:47-04:00

All I'm saying is POTUS wasn't there when my tab got pinned on. Where is the equality in that? Or is that not how it works?

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Aug 19 at 2015 11:50 AM

2015-08-19T11:50:47-04:00

It's an historic day. If true, I'd be happy that he attends.

Response by SPC James Butler made Aug 19 at 2015 2:58 PM

2015-08-19T14:58:43-04:00

I say we should just politicize everything. The Under Secretary of Defense will be attending my completion of the online AT Level 1 training.

Response by SGT Darryl Allen made Aug 19 at 2015 4:47 PM

2015-08-19T16:47:15-04:00

Sorry folks, the POTUS is officially not coming to the graduation.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2015 8:27 AM

2015-08-20T08:27:29-04:00

Well, it turns out that many of you were correct and that POTUS is NOT attending Ranger Graduation this week. My apologies for posting an incorrect article.

Response by LTC James Bozeman made Aug 20 at 2015 8:30 AM

2015-08-20T08:30:06-04:00

Absolutely - why is he going there? It seems to be a photo op - he's not shown much interest or support for our military till now???

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2015 4:19 PM

2015-08-20T16:19:19-04:00

Apparently this wasn't true. He did NOT attend the graduation and apparently never planned to according to the leadership at the unit.