Female Army Ranger Makes History in Best Ranger Competition

In a groundbreaking move for the military, First Lt. Gabrielle White, along with her teammate Capt. Seth Deltenre, participated in the Best Ranger Competition, marking the first time a female Army Ranger has competed in this highly demanding event. Their team performed admirably, finishing in 14th place overall out of 52 competing teams, all of which, except for theirs, consisted exclusively of male soldiers.

The Best Ranger Competition, held annually, features teams of Army Rangers who undertake a series of rigorous challenges over three days. The competition tests an array of skills, including physical fitness, land navigation, and weapon handling, requiring soldiers to traverse over 60 miles with minimal rest. White and Deltenre, stationed at the Army Center of Excellence at Fort Benning in Georgia, were among the final 16 teams vying for the coveted title of best Ranger team.

Historically, female soldiers were not permitted to join the ranks of Army Rangers until the policy was changed in 2015, allowing women to enroll in Ranger school. The inaugural female graduates of Ranger school marked a significant moment in military history, with two completing the course in August of that year. Furthermore, the Defense Department's decision to open all combat roles to women paved the way for further integration within the armed forces.

Despite the significance of White’s achievement in the Best Ranger Competition, the Army has recently adopted a policy that limits the acknowledgment of diversity and inclusion milestones under the current administration. As a result, historic achievements involving women and minority soldiers have largely been purged from military communications and social media.

White, a 25-year-old Black infantry officer, graduated from the Military Academy at West Point in May 2021 and successfully completed Ranger School in April 2022. As of January 2025, a total of 154 women have graduated from the Ranger School, highlighting the progress made in the inclusion of female soldiers in elite military training.