In August, 2015 Captain Kristen Griest and First Lieutenant Shaye Haver completed the Army’s Ranger School. Now Captain Griest has just been named an infantry officer, the First Woman to be admitted to this specialty in the Army. This was made possible by Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter’s decision to open all branches and specialties to women.
This opportunity is important, not just in giving women more freedom in choose how they wish to serve, but also in providing women access to the specialties that routinely lead to a path for moving up the ranks. Although some women have reached the senior ranks in the military, it has been more difficulty for women as their opportunities to distinguish themselves in certain positions have been limited.
According to the Army Times, this is only the beginning.
More women are expected to follow in her footsteps; The Army earlier this month announced that is had approved requests from 22 female cadets to enter as second lieutenants in the infantry and armor branches. . .
In addition the Army has an eight-week application window so that female lieutenants can apply to be transferred to the infantry. To use a military metaphor, the wall has been breached.
