History Made: Connecticut Woman Finishes Army Ranger School

An Orange resident is one of two women to finish the Army’s Ranger school, though they still will not be about to join the 75th Ranger Regiment.

Captain Kristen Griest, 26, of Orange underwent a week of physical tests at Fort Benning, GA, followed by mountain training and swamp training, according to WFSB.

Gov. Dannel Malloy congratulated Griest on her accomplishment.

“We are incredibly proud of Captain Kristen Griest on her achievement, which no doubt is the result of years of perseverance, strength, and patriotism,” he said. “She is making history - it’s a major step for women in the military and for women everywhere.”

A total of 19 women started the test but Griest and Lt. Shaye Haver, 25, of Copperas Cove, TX, were the only two to complete it. Of 380 men who participated, only 94 finished it.

Griest and Haver are both accomplished athletes and West Point graduates, according to the New York Times.

There are indications that other military services will not block women from combat jobs due to the women finishing Ranger School.

A joint statement from Griest and Haver’s families, reported in the Washington Post, said the two women were the same as all the others in the graduating class: “happy, relieved and ready for some good food and sleep.”

The two-month Ranger course seeks to find out whether the soldiers can overcome fatigue, hunger and stress during combat operations.

The Army has not released the women’s names. Confirmation through other media sources came from their families, the Washington Post reported.

Photo by Sgt. Vincent Fusco/Dir. of Public Affairs and Communications for West Point