4 to be first women to graduate grueling Marine infantry course

Four women set to graduate from a rigorous Marine Corps training course in North Carolina will be the first females to complete the program, officials say. Their success suggests some female Marines are capable of keeping up with male soldiers in combat situations, the Marine Corps Times reported Monday. Fifteen women began the 59-day enlisted infantry training course at Camp Geiger Sept. 24. A month later, seven women remained. Training includes a 12 1/2-mile march carrying 90 pounds of equipment. The four women are assigned to Delta Company, Infantry Training Battalion. Upon graduation Thursday, they will be not be assigned to infantry units or earn an infantry occupational speciality. Since last year, new female lieutenants have been invited to attend the infantry officer course at the Marines base in Quantico, Va. None has passed.