An Army national guard soldier from Montana becomes the first female soldier in history by graduating from the US Amry Sniper Course. Here’s all about it.
First female soldier to graduate from the sniper course
While the soldier’s identity is not made public, the Army stated that the soldier completed the seven-week-long course on November 5. The woman enlisted in the physically and mentally challenging course last December in the Montana Army National Guard. She qualified from the Infantry One Station Unit Training located in Fort Benning Georgia as an expert shooter. She was then a recommendation for the course by the chain of command when she was attending the 22-week long course in Fort Benning.
“We are extremely proud of this Soldier’s achievement and recognize that this is a milestone for not only Montana, but the entire National Guard and Army,” stated Major General J.Peter Hronek. Maj. Gen. Hronek is the adjutant general for Montana. “This Soldier had to volunteer several times to reach this goal, which is a demonstration of her dedication and commitment to service,” he added.
More on the sniper course
The US Amry Sniper Course needs a high amount of mental fortitude. Candidates should remain perfectly still irrespective of uncomfortable environments like high heat, mud, mosquitoes, etc. Additionally, candidates should also be ready to stay highly isolated when in the field. A series recorded in 2017 documents the severe coursework that future snipers have to undertake.
“Instead of a normal 35-pound rucksack, a sniper might carry up to 110 pounds on his back. And have to walk many miles or even crawl to accomplish the mission,” stated Staff Sgt. Brian Moran. “Since snipers operate in small teams. If the equipment is needed, it has to be carried by that team,” he added to the series.
Ever since the ban on women going to combat was lifted in 2015, women have been graduating from the US military’s most challenging schools. Hence, in 2015, two female officers graduated from the US Army’s elite Ranger School. Additionally, the Army also saw the graduation of the first female Green Beret.