Female Marines Join Infantry Training

For the first time ever, female Marines began infantry training Sept. 24, 2013 aboard Camp Geiger, N.C. Fifteen female Marines volunteered to be a part of the Corps' research on women in combat-related jobs, but will not be given the infantry occupational specialty upon completion. All Marines attending the training are held to the same standards, regardless of gender. After the first week of training, one female Marine did not meet the physical fitness test ITB standard and chose to drop from the current cycle to work on her strength before attempting the training again with the next cycle. One female Marine did not meet the combat fitness test ITB standard and chose to opt out of the training entirely. One male Marine dropped from the training for failing to meet the ITB standard during the physical fitness test.