Lieutenant Is First Woman to Lead U.S. Marine Infantry Platoon

First Lt. Marina A. Hierl is a history-maker: She’s the first woman in the U.S. Marine Corps ever to lead an infantry platoon. Profiled by The New York Times, Lt. Hierl is one of four platoon commanders in Echo Company and, despite initial skepticism, her senior role appears to have been “quietly accepted” by the troops she now commands. Thirty-seven women have reportedly attended the Marines Corps’ Infantry Officer Course and only two have passed.