For the first time in the history of the U.S. Army, a female soldier competed in the elite Best Ranger Competition, marking a major milestone for women in combat roles. First Lt. Gabrielle White, alongside her teammate Capt. Seth Deltenre, successfully completed the grueling three-day challenge and placed 14th overall. Out of the 52 teams that began the competition, only 16 made it to the final events. Notably, White’s team was the only one to include a female soldier.
Elite Rangers Compete for Glory as Women Break Barriers in Historic First Entry
The Best Ranger Competition is one of the military’s most physically and mentally demanding events, testing the stamina, skill, and endurance of top Army Rangers. The winning team this year was composed of 1st Lt. Griff Hokanson and 1st Lt. Kevin Moore, both from the prestigious 75th Ranger Regiment. In contrast, White and Deltenre are stationed at the Army Center of Excellence at Fort Benning, Georgia, where the competition is held.
First Woman Competes in Army’s Best Ranger Event as Historic Feat Overlooked by Military LeadershipWomen were first allowed to attend Ranger School in 2015, and the first two female graduates completed the course that same year. Since then, the military has slowly integrated women into combat roles, and as of January 2025, 154 women have earned the coveted Ranger tab. However, White’s participation this year marked the first time a female Ranger competed in the annual competition itself.
Grueling Challenges Test Rangers, While Historic Female Milestone Goes Unrecognized by Military Leadership
The event spans over 60 miles of movement and includes more than 30 physically and mentally challenging tasks. Soldiers endure extreme fatigue with minimal rest and take part in helicopter missions, weapons qualifications, land navigation, obstacle courses, and other rigorous tests. It is designed to push even the most elite soldiers to their limits.
Despite the historic nature of White’s participation, the Army did not publicize the achievement. Under current policies established during President Trump’s administration and upheld by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the Department of Defense has limited or removed public acknowledgments tied to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This has led to the erasure of many notable firsts for women and minorities in military media channels.