Women in Ranger Training Must Try Again

The eight women taking part in the first gender-integrated Ranger-training class must retake the first phase of the program. The Ranger school “recycled” the eight women, and 101 men, on May 8. When training began, 19 women and 381 men were signed up to take the rigorous class. Statistics show that more than one third of all Ranger candidates must recycle through at least one of the three phases of training. Students get three chances to recycle through the training before they wash out. The Darby phase, which focuses on training, patrolling, and small-unit tactics, takes place at Camp Darby on the grounds of Fort Benning, Ga. After successfully completing the Darby phase, candidates must pass the Mountain Phase at Dahlonega, Ga., and survival training in Florida.