First 2 Women Set to Graduate From Army Ranger School

For the first time in Army history, two women will be among the names called at Ranger School graduation on Friday.

The graduates were part of a group of about 400 soldiers who started the grueling Ranger School in April; the first class to admit women included 17 other female soldiers who have not completed the course.

While these two women (whose names have not yet been revealed) will be the first to don the prestigious Ranger tab, they are not eligible to try out for the 75th Ranger Regiment, which performs special operations. Both are officers and alumnae of West Point; they are expected to speak to the media for the first time on Thursday, the Washington Post reports.

Each branch of the Armed Forces have been asked to integrate women into all positions—or provide proof that they cannot do so—by 2016.

[Washington Post]