Female Ranger School Attendees Question Pickle Jar Opening Test
FORT BENNING, Ga. — Seven women who have successfully completed RAP week at Ranger School are questioning the inclusion of a new requirement in the “crawl” training phase, specifically a “pickle jar opening” test.
“The standards for crawl are brutal,” said Capt. Sarah Titus, who passed RAP on her first try. “We know that, and we are ready. But a fucking pickle jar? That’s just bullshit."
RAP Week, the initial “Ranger Assessment Phase,” sees washout rates up to 30 percent. The Crawl or “Darby” Phase of Ranger School is widely considered the most physically demanding phase.
Col. David G. Fivecoat, commander of the Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade, disagrees with Titus.
“The Army has been reevaluating the Ranger School requirements for some time,” Fivecoat said. “We have been absolutely clear that we will not lower standards just so women can pass. But we are also modifying, dropping or adding requirements to ensure we test what is most relevant to effective fighting and leadership.”
“As …
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