First Black Woman Graduates from U.S. Army Ranger School

Sgt. 1st Class Janina Simmons became the first female African-American soldier to complete the U.S. Army Ranger School course in April.

“I’m excited. It’s surreal,” Simmons told Connecting Vets about making history. “I’m humbled to be here … 62 days of training and I made it the first time through.”

Rangers are “the best-trained soliders in the world” and they are conditioned to engage in close combat and direct-fire battles. There is a high level of failure in the grueling three-phase program. According to Army Times, about 34 percent of Ranger candidates repeat at least one part of the course.

She posted on her Facebook page about the achievement, writing, “I guess I made history today!! I am so humbled and blessed!!! I will share pictures and stories and flood the timeline but for now I just want the next few days to eat and SLEEP!! thanks so much for the support and love everyone! it’s so appreciated!!! ❤️❤️❤️#RLTW #ByGodsgrace “

Simmons joins the ranks of several women, including Staff Sgt. Amanda Kelly, the first female non-commissioned officer (NCO) to graduate from Ranger school in 2018.

The ranger, 29, wants people to know that they can make it through the course and earn the right to wear the gold and black ranger tab because she was able to do it.

“I need more NCOs to get out there … I have to lead from the front. It’s good to speak from experience,” she said. “When you have soldiers who say, ‘I don’t know if I can do that,’ I can say, ‘”Well, I did it and so can you.'”

According to LGBTQnation, Simmons proposed to her longtime girlfriend after her completion ceremony.