Senate Passes Bipartisan Resolution Led by Senators Collins, Mikulski Honoring First Women To Complete Elite Army Ranger School
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Senate unanimously passed a bipartisan resolution, led by Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) and co-sponsored by Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), honoring the first women to complete the elite United States Army Ranger School. The resolutioncommends Captain Kristen Griest and First Lieutenant Shaye Haver for their historic accomplishment of being the first two women soldiers to earn their highly coveted Ranger tabs.
The Ranger School prepares members of the Armed Forces to serve as leaders and members of elite combat forces tasked with dismounted infantry, airborne, airmobile, amphibious, and independent squad and platoon size operations. According to the U.S. Army, last year 4,057 students attempted the notoriously difficult 8-week Ranger School, and only 1,609 earned the Ranger tab.
“Earning the right to wear a Ranger tab is not for the faint-hearted. The rigors of the course test even the strongest service members. Many try; few succeed,” said Senator Collins. “Through their skill, grit, and determination, Captain Griest and Lieutenant Haver have demonstrated that character, courage, physical fitness, and tenacity are the hallmarks of extraordinary service members and leaders, and that both men and women possess these qualities.”
“I’m so proud to honor Captain Kristen Griest and First Lieutenant Shaye Haver for their towering achievement in being the first females in history to earn their Army Ranger tabs. I know what it means to be first, and from one firstie to another, I say hats off on leading the way for many more women to come,” Senator Mikulski said. “Captain Griest and First Lieutenant Haver have shown that women can compete on a level-playing field with men to serve in the defense of our nation. The Army’s recent announcement to permanently open Ranger School for women marks another important step in expanding roles for women in the military. Continued gender integration will improve readiness and help our Armed Forces to recruit the best talent we can throughout all of our services.”
Senators co-sponsoring this bipartisan resolution include Senators: Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), David Perdue (R-GA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Jon Tester (D-MT), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Jack Reed (D-RI), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Mark Warner (D-VA), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Al Franken (D-MN), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Chris Coons (D-DE), John Thune (D-SD), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Cory Gardner (R-CO).
Click HERE for the full text of the resolution.
