On September 28, during the first day of the Infantry Officer Course at Quantico, Virginia one of the two women volunteers attempting to make it through the Marine Corps’ toughest training dropped out.
It should be noted that 25 percent of the men enrolled dropped out the same day. Now, NPR reports, the only other woman in the 86 day training course has withdrawn as well, after being unable to complete a pair of required training events. The two women, both second lieutenants, were part of a study by the Marines to see if women can become ground combat leaders. The Marines are not releasing the women’s names citing privacy concerns.
NBC News reports the a relaxing of restrictions in February moved women closer to combat, but a fuller review of combat jobs is under way, and the second lieutenants that washed out at Quantico were part of that review.
“I see it as an incredible opportunity that has never been open to women,” the marine who dropped out Friday said. “I want to try and open up a door, maybe, for women after me. I don’t know how far it will open, but I’m hoping to make a difference for women down the road.”
The two women were the first to attempt the course, and no others have volunteered to try the program at Quantico, believed to be among the military’s toughest tests. Along with infantry positions, women are being considered for various other combat posts, including serving in artillery and tank units.
