In a groundbreaking achievement for the U.S. Army and women in uniform, First Lt. Gabrielle White, a 25-year-old West Point graduate, has become the first woman—and the first Black woman—to successfully complete the Army’s grueling Best Ranger Competition.
The historic three-day event, held annually at Fort Benning, Georgia, tested 52 two-person teams across 30 physically and mentally punishing challenges, including land navigation, helicopter missions, weapons qualification, endurance tests, and water-based obstacles. Of the 104 total competitors, White stood out—not just as a first-time participant, but as the only woman in the entire field, reports NBC.
Despite fierce competition and only four hours of rest per day, Lt. White and her teammate, Capt. Seth Deltenre, placed 14th, making it all the way to the final day. Only 16 teams remained by the end of the marathon event, a testament to the intense demands of the course.
A Historic First for Women and Women of Color in the Military
White’s presence in the competition is not only a milestone for gender equality in the military but also a signal of changing tides for racial representation in elite military roles. In addition to being the first woman, she is also the first African American woman ever to compete in the Best Ranger Competition.
A graduate of Ranger School in 2022, White earned her Ranger tab just seven years after the school opened its doors to women in 2015—following the Pentagon’s lift of the ban on women in combat roles.
She currently serves as an infantry officer with the Maneuver Captains Career Course, B Company, 3rd Battalion, 81st Armored Regiment, 199th Infantry Brigade.
White holds an impressive service record. She has been awarded:
- Two Army Commendation Medals
- The National Defense Service Medal
- The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
- The Army Service Ribbon
- The prestigious Ranger Tab
- And the Air Assault Badge
Lack of Acknowledgment from the Army Raises Questions
While White’s achievement has gained attention across social media and media outlets, the Army’s official channels have so far not publicly acknowledged her historic participation. NBC News reportedly contacted Army leadership for comment; the response included only basic biographical information and no mention of formal recognition.
Critics are already calling on the Army to rectify the omission.
“Gabrielle White just shattered one of the highest glass ceilings in one of the military’s most elite arenas,” said one military affairs analyst. “For the Army to remain silent on this sets a dangerous precedent when we should be celebrating trailblazers.”
Combat Roles for Women Remain Politically Charged
White’s participation also comes at a time when the role of women in combat is once again under political scrutiny. During the Trump administration, key figures expressed public opposition to female soldiers in combat roles. Trump defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth, for instance, declared in 2023, “We should not have women in combat roles… It hasn’t made us more effective.”
White’s performance directly challenges that rhetoric. Her success—against a field of over 100 male competitors—is likely to reignite debates over gender roles in elite military operations, and whether official Army policy reflects its evolving values.
Breaking Barriers Without Breaking Focus
Despite the silence from top Army brass, Lt. White’s accomplishment speaks volumes.
As the only woman in one of the U.S. Army’s most elite competitions, she not only endured but excelled—proving, once again, that skill, strength, and leadership know no gender or racial boundaries.
Whether or not the Army chooses to officially honor her, Lt. Gabrielle White has already made history—and likely inspired a generation of women and young Black Americans who now know they, too, can compete at the highest levels.
