U.S. Army Capt. Kirsten Griest (L) and First Lieutenant Shaye Haver (R)
Capt. Kristen Griest and First Lt. Shaye Haver recently graduated from the U.S. Army Ranger School, the first female students ever to complete the grueling course. Although they are still barred from combat as Rangers because of regulations forbidding women in those roles, their success is still a barrier-breaking achievement, particularly in light of the many naysayers who suggested women were inherently unable to meet the elite standards. Naturally, many of those many naysayers have responded to the women's success by suggesting that perhaps they did not succeed at all.
Rumors flew that the women were given unfair advantages, easier conditions, or even that President Obama was somehow involved in helping them cheat (thanks, Obama!). Finally Maj. Jim Hathaway, a high-ranking officer in the Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade overseeing Ranger School, got fed up and took to Facebook to address those rumors in a thorough point-by-point takedown. "If you believe nothing else, you should have faith in your fellow Rangers to adhere to their beliefs and the Ranger Creed," he writes.
Most telling is his ninth and final point, wherein he recognizes what most women already know: that a certain brand of sexist can't be convinced no matter what evidence they're offered about women's competence, because they aren't interested in evidence; they're interested in undermining women.
The final comment I will say is this. No matter what we at Ranger School say the non-believers will still be non-believers. We could have invited each of you to guest walk the entire course, and you would still not believe, we could have video recorded every patrol and you would still say that we “gave” it away. Nothing we say will change your opinion. I and the rest of our cadre are proud of the conduct of our Soldiers, NCO’s and Officers, they took the mission assigned and performed to the Ranger Standard. RLTW!!!!!
