I'm a graduate of class 8-74. I'm the wiry type and, like has been previously mentioned, is the type best suited for getting through the course. While the physical part is tough, it was the mental part that kicks everyone's ass. Three hours of sleep and not much food can wear a person down no matter your physical training. Here's my class photo. I'm on the second row up from the bottom, third in from the left. Yep, I was a real pussy magnet back in the day.

Personally I really don't care for this "integration." While a female may make it through the course (probably with "considerations" made) there is no way they would survive in the Regiment (or Batt as we used to call it).

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1425325051.jpg

Nice! You have all of our respect. I was LRS (3rd ID) but never went to Ranger school or Batt of course, but a lot of my brothers in arms were tabbed. Several became RIs or went on to SF.

Love those birth control glasses. Total magnet.

I wish him success. One of the smallest guys I served with, who was quite doubtful upon getting to our LRS unit has gone on to have a tremendous military career. He maybe weighte 130# but would hump an 80# ruck through long, grueling missions. He later became ranger qualified and now flies black hawks for Task Force 160 (SF aviation) and has done so for years.

Sounds cheesy but not the size of the dog....

Quick update. I received a call from my son today. I was assuming bad news but he's on an 8 hour pass between phases. He sounded ok considering all that he has been through in a short period. He wanted to stay on the phone as the mental isolation has been tough. He's one of about 115 out of 440 that are moving on. He sounded wiped out but growing in confidence he'll make it barring some physical injury that prevents him from moving forward. He said much tougher, smarter guys have been recycled for various things. Attributes about 40% of his moving forward to luck. He's also turned out to be one of the best at land nav which has earned him some solid peer reports. We had a lengthy discussion about "making" luck through preparation, determination, grit. I'm still buzzing a bit after the discussion which was several hours ago.

Great news. Let him know the Pelicans here are pulling for him.

Awesome. Long way to go. He sounds like great kid, but, as you know, they all are. Anyone who spends five minutes amongst the young women and men serving our country comes away refreshed.

My son will start his journey next year after his commission.

My husband went to Ranger School in 1995. He says that at that time the Ranger Candidates could receive care boxes (code food boxes) during those eight hour passes between phases. If you let us know the address and date of the next phase ending, I am sure the Pelicans on here can make sure he gets all the cookies, cakes and candy he and his buddies can eat in that 8 hrs.

Congrats to your son for making it this far.

On Topic:
No more women in this class, they're all recycles now along with 101 men

Eight women, 101 men will retake Ranger School phase

Quick update. My son recycled in the mountains but got a GO today for Florida. He's airborne certified and will be jumping into Florida tomorrow I believe. Whew, looking forward to this being done and attending graduation! Currently scheduled for July 10.

Stephanie, thank you for your offer of care packages but they are pretty clear they can only receive one per phase. We've had to coordinate between me, my daughter, future daughter in law and his Mom that we aren't all sending stuff :-)

My understanding is that the 3 of the 8 female Darby recycles were given the option to start again from day one, the remainder were dropped. They've been adamant that the standards won't change but did say they may try more pilots to continue to assess the integration of women into combat roles.

Good on your son for sticking it out and continuing to fight.
3rd try: 3 women to restart Ranger School Sunday

He is through. Finished up on Saturday. I haven't talked to him yet but his Mom has. I fly to GA tomorrow, graduation is Friday. Whew, glad that is over :-)

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Congratulations to him!
Where's he go now?

Outstanding! Congrats to both of you for your hard work. (his hard work most recently, and your hard work raising him to be who he is).

women have been serving in front line positions with the special operations since around 2011.

Gayle Tzemach Lemmon’s Ashley’s War excerpt: Inside an elite unit of women soldiers who fought in Afghanistan.

http://www.slate.com/content/dam/sla...l-original.jpg

You do realize what that particular group of women is doing is nowhere near the same as being an actual Ranger, don't you? No, of course you don't...