Positive US news making the front page of my local paper in NZ...

Apr 15, 2025 7:15 PM

cmatmem8

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How long it stays on the front page depends on whatever else happens today. But the article notes that there'll be no press release from the US Army about it because of Trumps edicts. So I thought I'd share it here.

Source: https://www.stuff.co.nz/world-news/360654742/female-soldier-becomes-first-woman-compete-gruelling-us-army-ranger-contest

Am I missing something, or is that a picture of a man and the back of a woman's head in an article about an exceptional woman?

1 year ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

Just don't make any GI Jane jokes around Will Smith

1 year ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Positive news, i don't see them...
An astounding person and surely great personal achivements against extremely tough odds but does this world need more elite soldiers in service of a fascist regime?

1 year ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Is that... is that title worded really weird?

1 year ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

The Army Times posted it. And literally dozens of other news outlets. It’s not hidden or gone from view.

1 year ago | Likes 51 Dislikes 3

I read it in a british online news outlet

1 year ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

That's Woke !!! - magas.

1 year ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

She’ll kick your ass too

1 year ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Hegseth let that happen?????

1 year ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 2

He was passed out somewhere when the news was released.

1 year ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 1

There's nothing positive about American imperialism.

1 year ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 14

1 year ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Positive news: women are allowed to murder for the oil barons too

1 year ago | Likes 14 Dislikes 2

The finished 14th place which is impressive in a field of 54 teams.

1 year ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

And then was promptly fired

1 year ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

What is a ranger contest. More info ....

1 year ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Huh, weird. I always expected a male soldier to be the first woman to compete in it.

1 year ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 4

If you've been following what Trump and Hegseth have been doing with military officers, I'm afraid she's going to get relieved of her command any day now and called a "DEI hire."

1 year ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Mentally and physically human.

1 year ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

did you mean inhuman? Because I am mentally and physically human too, eating cheetos and making comments on imgur.

1 year ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I forgot to type “tough”

1 year ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

You guys have a First Amendment right to free speech? We in the USA used to.

1 year ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 2

Not to be pedantic...

ummm - well, yes, to be pedantic, they may have free speech outside the U.S., but they wouldn't have a First Amendment.

1 year ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I know.

1 year ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

RANGERS LEAD THE WAY!

1 year ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 3

So the first woman to compete in a contest is a female?

1 year ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 2

not always the case.

1 year ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 3

And even if she win, Trump will most likely call her a loser if they meet

1 year ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

That headline…is so stupid…

1 year ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Female women becomes the first women to... Ya thats how that works.

1 year ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 4

How long before hogseth bans women from being a Ranger after this.....3...2...1

1 year ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

standards have been adjusted recently. not to ban women, just to be generally more demanding

1 year ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Right, because these guys are the rule of law administration

1 year ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Well, she is already a Ranger and not the first Female either. Not to sure if anyone else read the headline and thought it meant the 1st female ranger. This was just a contest they hold every year.

1 year ago | Likes 456 Dislikes 15

Thats not what the title is saying at all

1 year ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I didn't, bit clunky and would have went with like 'Gabrielle White, 1st woman to compete in US Army Ranger's Grueling Annual Contest'. IDK how anyone gets it's the first female ranger from the present title tho.

1 year ago | Likes 24 Dislikes 3

Yeah, theres been plenty of female Rangers before her. Trini and Kimberly just to name 2!

1 year ago | Likes 15 Dislikes 1

It's a very weirdly written headline.

1 year ago | Likes 113 Dislikes 7

Not if your goal is to get clicks

1 year ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

Am I the only person who had no issue with how this headline was written? "first female soldier to compete in contest." seems pretty straight forward.

1 year ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 1

Everyone whining about had a sore back from carrying a soap box all day and also have no fucking clue what they are talking about. Ranger school does not make you a ranger (I know. Sounds dumb) the ranger regiment is separate from that (that makes you a ranger) and this is a competition

1 year ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Yeah, they bungled that headline (unless they intentionally were being misleading)

1 year ago | Likes 28 Dislikes 3

She’s Ranger-qualified, not a Ranger. Ranger-qualified means you’ve graduated the misleadingly-named “Ranger school”, which is a leadership course open to all branches and MOS’s. It’s not even part of the initial training pipeline for Rangers. That’s very different from BEING a Ranger, aka a “scrolled” Ranger. You don’t even have to be in the Army to enter this competition. To my knowledge, only one female has become a scrolled Ranger, while quite a few have completed Ranger school.

1 year ago | Likes 16 Dislikes 1

It also depends a lot on which edition you're playing, your character's build, and what magic items your ranger has.

1 year ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 2

This. Its an important distinction that is easy for a lot to miss. From what I've heard, no one who went through Ranger school would accurately call themselves "a Ranger".

1 year ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Correct. Graduating Ranger School has little to do with being a Ranger. You get to wear the same tab, but that doesn’t earn you a regimental scroll. Serving in the 75th Ranger Regiment does. Enlisted Rangers don’t even typically go to Ranger School until they become NCO’s. It’s a leadership course, not Ranger training. That said, you still have to be tougher than average to get through it. I’m only aware of one female who has completed the entire training pipeline and served in the regiment.

1 year ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

They are the Ranger games, you have to be a ranger to compete.
Kind of a best of the best thing. So a female Ranger qualifying for it and participating is fucking amazing.
What a world class bad ass.

1 year ago | Likes 78 Dislikes 0

You don’t have to be a Ranger. You don’t even have to be in the Army. You just need to have completed the leadership course called “Ranger school” — a course that has nothing to do with being an Army Ranger.

1 year ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Ranger games? The things they wouldn't let Rudolph play?

1 year ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 2

Rudolph the red-nosed ranger.

1 year ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Sorry, it was later determined she was a DEI hire and let go.

1 year ago | Likes 128 Dislikes 16

Keep your politics out of this, civilian. A RANGER lead the way. Enjoy her triumph!

1 year ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 51

Hey why haven't you guys taken Trump out yet as your oath of allegiance to the Constitution, which he is constantly breaking, demands you do

1 year ago | Likes 19 Dislikes 1

[deleted]

[deleted]

1 year ago (deleted Apr 16, 2025 6:12 AM) | Likes 0 Dislikes 0

This exactly. It's a fucking disgrace.

1 year ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

its almost strange how you misinterpreted this comment. they actually said nothing about undermining her accomplishments but pointed out that the current shitshow that is the usa has orders to remove women and people of colour from being recognized. cant believe im giving any energy in arguing with a bot/dumbass but whatever.

1 year ago | Likes 24 Dislikes 2

We can't enjoy her triumph when there are now systemic barriers to her and many women like her succeeding and being given any opportunities.

1 year ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Isn't your boss erasing any mention of women or people of colour, certain words from the history of whatever you think is so great? Your boss is also threatening to invade neighbours so I guess you'll just follow orders when it comes time. How is the military not political?

1 year ago | Likes 27 Dislikes 3

Jfc. Stfu. If you’re a member, you represent the worst of us. Fucking couch commandos. -1

1 year ago | Likes 13 Dislikes 0

Besides how everyone else called you a moron, did you say keep politics out of... The US military?

1 year ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 0

wish i could upvote you twice

1 year ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

No worries she was replaced by one of the men who couldn't complete the contest

1 year ago | Likes 40 Dislikes 5

replaced by one of the white men...

1 year ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Tell me you hate men without telling me you hate men.

1 year ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 29

Woof. Don't feed the trolls kids.

1 year ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

I think you need to pay better attention to your username, buddy.

1 year ago | Likes 17 Dislikes 1

My username is spot on. This place is full of misandry. I will call it out.

1 year ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 12

v

1 year ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

ugh.

1 year ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 1

That's a big word pal. It's not misandry to point out that any POC and women in the service is being erased from public areas that note their service leaving nothing but white men in their place. It's a fucking disgrace and I will call it out anywhere I feel like.

1 year ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

I've always held the belief, combat roles should be of one standard and noncombat roles a different and lesser version.
I don't care that a drone pilot in AZ can't run 5k in under 20 minutes.
I would care if the person next to me in a fire fight can drag my dumbass out if needed.
But also, I never served, so my opinion on a gender neutral, combat/noncombat role is probably equivalent to what offense my favorite sports team should run

1 year ago | Likes 26 Dislikes 4

Don't worry, even if you served, your opinion would still be equivalent to this under the current U.S. leadership

1 year ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Sad...but true

1 year ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

If the drone pilot ever sees an enemy with his own eyes, he's going to be glad that he can run 5k in under 20 minutes. (Not that i would be rooting for a drone pilot on AZ. Wonder how many innocent families he has on his consciousness?)

Same reason howitzer crews better know how to shoot in direct fire. Or Puma crews learn how to shoot helicopters.

Not their *intended* role. But in modern warfare, if movement comes into the situation, it can get moving real quick. And before you know, >

1 year ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Who gives a shit. Smoke em maybe don't go to a terrorists wedding or be around them.

1 year ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 3

People who aren't arrogant americans do. That's why everyone hates you.

1 year ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

How do you know they’re an American?

1 year ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

If someone's assuming whole weddings to be guilty and valid targets by association, i don't feel bad assuming their nationality. I wouldn't lose sleep if that guy was in fact Norwegian. It's not as if i'm going to blow up his wedding.

1 year ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

the artillery battery 15 km behind the frontline an hour ago is aiming point blank at an unfriendly tank.

Happened in Ukraine once or twice. There's even a video of a ukrainian Gepard AA-tank shredding a russian [I forgot what it was. Some truck mounted AA or EW support vehicle]. That's a second row support vehicle shooting at a third or fourth row support vehicle point blank. There's supposed to be companies of tanks and combat troops between them.

1 year ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

*That example was during the ukrainian Kharkiv breakthrough.

1 year ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I will of course upvote you because you gave an honest answer to a question I asked.

That being said...from my understanding drone pilots have also provided air support to soldiers engaging live fire.
I understand many of the atrocious acts of history are done 'by just following orders' but I personally can not pass judgement on the person who obeyed an order with the knowledge they did or did not of who is being targeted, only those who knowing allowed for such brutality

1 year ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I can pass that judgement. They know what they do. And i guess the psychopatth in the other comment illustrates the mindset behind this kind of war crime.

1 year ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

The reason I have been told the standards still apply is that at anytime, in any position, in any MOS, you may find yourself picking up arms in defense or subject to hostile actions. Additionally, developing that standard is boot is something of a cultural thing, by which it teaches people to go past their perceived limitations. You see this even more with our special forces and operators, where they intentionally break them down even harder. A US soldier is a warrior first, despite MOS.

1 year ago | Likes 17 Dislikes 0

First off, thank you kindly for your reply!
But doesn't that support my thought? I'm not saying be out of shape, but like (sorry in advance for conflating Marines and Soldiers) most men who could pass the current female standards of the Corps would be in shape, just maybe not frontline shape, which I know....'all Marines are riflemen first'

Genuinely just asking what I hope are good faith questions.

1 year ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

The requirements are more than what general soldiers are actually going to be required to do for most jobs. If I am remembering right, general pack for infantry is around 70-120lbs (carrying). The actual daily marching distance is around 25 miles. So what you are considering is normal adult human capabilities, with an emphasis on building core muscles to add with pack carrying. What they accomplish with the PT is build resilency to injury due to the bodily stress. 1/2

1 year ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

The reason it is different between gender and age is that the bodies train and handle things differently on these factors (among others), but the outcome is nearly the same. They will still be able to do the basic functions of a soldier with those requirements. However, I am sure someone with more experience in physiology could explain exactly why better than I can.

1 year ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

This is true, but still doesn't address why the standards between male/female or even different age brackets are different if everybody is expected to be able to perform the same kinds of actions in combat.

Although looking at the newer ACFT scoring, it seems that the minimum pass threshold is much closer (or even identical depending on section) across age/sex. So at least they've improved that. The old PT test was way more inconsistent.

1 year ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 1

Couldn't tell you, but I do know we should be looking at the different ways bodies work when we decide these standards. For example there is a lot of burst muscle energy exercise and requirements, which poses more risk of injury to the female body (cis and transgender alike). This is not to say that the genders aren't equal, just that their bodies can 'specialize' in different types of motion. So I could see slight differences in the PT requirements even if performing the same job.

1 year ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

You never know when someone is going to overrun your position.
Soldier first, everything else second.
Even the Navy practices counterboarding drills. Even though it is extremely unlikely anyone will ever need that skill in the US Navy.

1 year ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

I can't imagine any hostile element looking at a vessel like the USS Bulkeley or something equipped with Phalanx or SeaRAM CIWS and going "You know what we need? A closer look"

1 year ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

They'll get a good look at 200 rounds administered directly to the forehead. After the Cole bombing they don't fuck around, and under trump they really won't fuck around. 'Hello' will be a short burst, 'Leave' will be a long burst.

1 year ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

1 year ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Yet they chose to include an image of her male captain

1 year ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 2

More than likely her teammate in the two person team. Best Ranger has lots of officers compete.

1 year ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Okay. But, if the article is about the "first woman" why would they choose this particular photo? Maybe I'm missing something?

1 year ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Can't speak for they chose the photo, ut considering they are a team makes him part of the story too.

1 year ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Their choice of this particular photo is my point.

1 year ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

I'll be less oblique. In a news story originally written by an Army newspaper for whom the photos were taken. A picture depicting the first woman competing in the Best Ranger TEAM competition, planning strategy with her teammate who happens to be male. Outside news organizations, lacking access to the base, reused the same photos from a publication reporting on the teamwork aspect of a team competition which included a team with the first woman teammember. The Army likes teamwork stories.

1 year ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0