Now that two women have made it through the grueling Army Ranger school at Fort Benning, the Navy may open its elite SEAL team training to women, too.

In an interview with the military publication Defense News, Admiral Jon Greenert, chief of naval operations, says if women can make it through the six-month Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training, they should be allowed to serve.

"Why shouldn't anybody who can meet these [standards] be accepted?  And the answer is, there is no reason," Admiral Greenert tells Defense News.  "So, we're on a track to say, 'Hey look, anybody who can meet the gender non-specific standards, then you can become a SEAL.'"

The admiral offers no timeline for allowing female candidates into SEAL training.

Just to be eligible to enter the training, candidates must be able to complete a 1,000 yard swim with fins in under 20 minutes, 70 push-ups, 10 pull-ups and 60 curl-ups (each in under two minutes) and a four-mile run in 31 minutes.

The Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) is also in the process of assessing whether women should be permitted to enter its training.

The two women to make it through Ranger school will receive the coveted Ranger tabs this Friday in ceremonies at Fort Benning.  For now, they are not allowed to join the elite regiment.

About the Author

Keep Reading

The SNAP program provided benefits to about 13% of Georgia’s population, 1.4 million people, during the 2024 fiscal year. (Associated Press)

Credit: Sipa USA via AP

Featured

Rebecca Ramage-Tuttle, assistant director of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia, says the the DOE rule change is “a slippery slope” for civil rights. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC