Capt. Kristen Griest successfully completed the U.S. Army Ranger training in 2015, becoming one of only two women in history to complete the Army’s notoriously rigorous training. This week Capt. Griest has smashed yet another Army barrier, becoming the first female infantry officer in U.S. Army history:
Griest is expected to graduate from the Maneuver Captain's Career Course on Thursday and earn the right to wear the distinctive blue infantry cord, officials confirmed to Army Times.
"Like any other officer wishing to branch-transfer, Capt. Griest applied for an exception to Army policy to transfer from military police to infantry," said Bob Purtiman, a spokesman for the Maneuver Center of Excellence and Fort Benning, Georgia. "Her transfer was approved by the Department of the Army and she's now an infantry officer."
The move comes as the Army prepares to open all specialties to women, including the infantry:
On the enlisted side, at least three women have signed up to become infantry soldiers. They are not expected to start training until next year.
“An incremental and phased approach by leaders and soldiers who understand and enforce gender-neutral standards will ensure successful integration of women across the breadth and depth of our formations,” Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley previously said in a statement.
Congratulations to Capt. Griest and all the women who will follow in her in military boot steps.