Women Marine infantry test graduates will be honored on Thursday for the first time in Marine Corps history. The infantry course started in September.
Three women will graduate from the training course this week. A fourth woman got injured and could not pass the combat fitness test, but she will be allowed to take the test and graduate when she recovers, CNN reported.
In all, 15 women took the test voluntarily at North Carolina’s Camp Lejeune, starting in September.
They had to undergo the same exercises as the male Marines, which includes carrying 90 pounds for 12.5 miles.
Business Insider reported that the hike lasted more than five hours. They had to essentially jog at around 4 mph the whole time.
The women who graduated will not be assigned to infantry units.
“The women who graduate from infantry training on Thursday will not be assigned to infantry units, nor will they earn an infantry occupational specialty. They will report to their originally slated schoolhouses to earn a non-combat MOS,” Capt. Carey of SOI-East told Business Insider.
According to the Marine Corps Times, the women were also required to perform pull-ups, not the flexed-arm hang exercise.
Another report from the publication, however, says that the Marine Corps will suspend pull-ups for women due to potential health risks.
“Data collected does indicate some potential risks with executing a complete transition at this time to a [pullup]-only PFT for female Marines,” Lt. Col. Neil Murphy told the Times. “... Further assessment is expected to last into [calendar year 2014]. However, a final timetable has not been established.”
