The First Female Marine Has Passed the Notoriously Tough Infantry Officer Course

The first female Marine ever has completed the notoriously grueling Infantry Officer Course, the Marines confirmed in a statement Monday. She became the first to complete it since the Marine Corps opened up the course to women in April 2016.

The lieutenant is keeping her identity private and will be assigned to the 1^st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, California. "I am proud of this officer and those in her class‎ who have earned the infantry officer MOS," Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Robert Neller said in a statement. "Marines expect and rightfully deserve competent and capable leaders, and these IOC graduates met every training requirement as they prepare for the next challenge of leading infantry Marines; ultimately, in combat." Overall, 131 Marines started the course in July and 88 graduated.

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The Infantry Officer Course takes 13 weeks and is considered one of the toughest courses in the U.S. military, NPR reports. Tests includes carrying equipment weighing up to 152 pounds, plus endurance challenges like hiking, obstacle courses, navigation, and assembling weapons. According to the Orange County Register, 36 women have attempted the course.

The path to allowing women in military combat positions has been a rocky one. A general ban was lifted in 2013, and in 2016, the Department of Defense opened all roles to women. Now, women are moving up the ranks in all military branches, though there are vocal critics who believe women are not suited for combat roles. This isn't the first time a woman in the military broke barriers, though. Back in 2015, two women graduated from the Army's Ranger school for the first time in history.