A Montana Army National Guard member has become the first woman to graduate Army Sniper Training. The training spans over seven weeks and took place at Fort Benning, Georgia.
Although she was the first woman to complete the Army sniper training, several other women have completed a less intensive Air Force course over the years.
“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,” said Major General Peter Hronek.
Last December, the soldier enlisted and was later recommended for the sniper course by her training staff and chain of command.
Their recommendation was based on her excellent performance, qualifying her as an expert shooter. They witnessed her talent during the initial training that combines basic with advanced instruction in infantry skills.
According to a course description, the intensive program trains and tests students on fieldcraft, camouflage techniques, marksmanship, concealed movement, target detection, intelligence preparation. Plus, other tactics and techniques are necessary to deliver long-range precision fire and collect battlefield information.
This achievement is the latest in a series of firsts for women. It is more significant now that all combat jobs in the military were opened to women in 2015. However, female snipers, in particular, have a long history of defying conventional stereotypes.
History Of Women Snipers
Soviet Army sniper Lyudmila Pavlichenko visited Washington during World War II. Her mission was to rouse America’s support for a “second front” in Europe. First lady Eleanor Roosevelt invited her on a country tour to discuss her combat experience, the Smithsonian Magazine said in a 2013 profile.
She was referred to as the “girl sniper” in American media. She was taken more seriously by the Nazis, who knew her as “Lady Death.” When she got to Chicago, she gave a speech for the large crowd there.
“Gentlemen, I am 25 years old, and I have killed 309 fascists by now,” Lyudmila said.
The military is withholding the first woman to graduate Army Sniper Training, who graduated Friday. We wish the soldier well and good luck in her service to our country.
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