It is an exciting time for women in the military. Maj. Lisa Jaster, a 37-year-old mother and wife, on Oct. 16 will become the third woman to graduate from Army Ranger School, which is located in Fort Benning, Ga., according to the Ledger-Enquirer.
The Army Ranger School has only been open to female participants since April. Jaster will be joining the other two female graduates, Capt. Kristen Griest, 26, and 1st Lt. Shaye Haver, 25, who both earned their Ranger tabs on Aug. 21. Jaster completed the school training in 180 days; the minimum is 61 days.
Jaster is in the Army Reserves and is a wife and mother of two children, 7 and 3. She was previously employed by Shell Oil Company in Houston. She left the company in order to go through the Army Ranger School, according to The Washington Post. Jaster joined the Army in 2000 and was on active duty for the next seven years. She spent her first four years with the 92nd Engineer Battalion and spent her time in Iraq and Afghanistan.
There has been negative feedback, with people saying that the school has lowered its standards and offered the women multiple attempts to complete the training.
"Approximately 34 percent of students who enter Ranger School recycle at least one phase of the course," said Col. David Fivecoat, commander of the Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade, reported Newsmax. "Recycling each phase is uncommon. However, this occurs for approximately 15 students each year, with each situation considered on a case-by-case basis depending on the circumstances."
"I just think it's phenomenal for her to do this at that age. Forget gender. Her willingness to sacrifice at that age is just phenomenal and speaks a lot about her," said Terron Sims, a former Army captain who graduated with Jaster from West Point.
