Female Army Ranger.... Why not?

I am a female Army ROTC cadet. Despite the fact that the Army is male dominant, women are just as capable (on an individual basis) to do what men do. G.I Jane starring Demi Moore is one of my favorite movies, primarily because I see myself in the main character. I’m not saying all females are capable of getting through ranger school, or navy seal school, but some of us can. However, we aren’t even given the opportunity to go through any of the male only schools. My score on the PT tests makes me eligible to pass basic training, advanced individual training, Airborne, and receive the APFT badge. Despite all these things I would pass, next to the special forces box on my score sheet is a word that drives me insane- INELIGIBLE. The reason given is “to qualify for a special forces slot you must be a male and score at least a 229 on your APFT based on the 17-21 age group standards and obtain a passing height and weight measurement in your own age category”. The only requirement I don’t meet is the twelfth word- male.

            When we take the PT test I get discredited, even though I make a near perfect score (296/300) I’m a “female”. This is mainly due to the fact that there is a female standard and a male standard. I firmly believe that we should get rid of the two standard and adhere to just the male standard. If women want to be seen as equals to men, then we have to prove that we are capable of the same things they are. Maybe not as many females would be able to join the Army, but then we wouldn’t be looked down upon as much. I know that there will always be discrepancies. But excuses like “women aren’t fit to go into combat” or “the American culture doesn’t think women should be on the front lines” or “it’s harder to lose a sister/mother/daughter than it is to lose a brother/father/son” or “a male would be more likely to risk his life to save a female’s” or “a male is more likely to save a female’s life than another male’s” are not acceptable answers to me to keep us off the front lines. The only truly acceptable excuse is “a female prisoner of war is more likely to get tortured in ways that a male would not”. But even then, she knows the risks of her job (if it was open to her) when she signs up.

            I’m not saying that being a ranger is for all females. All I’m saying is that I want the option to go to ranger school if I so chose to. I hate being ineligible for something that I cannot control. I can control my run time, the amount of push ups I can execute, and the amount of sit ups I can execute. What I cannot control is my gender. So, raise the bar for females and then allow us into ranger school. That’s all I ask for, that’s all I yearn for- a chance.