Lisa Jaster

Lisa Jaster
Born	1978 (age 37–38)[1]
Alma mater	US Military Academy (B.S.) U. of Missouri-Rolla (M.S.)
Spouse(s)	Allan Jaster
Children	Zachary and Victoria
Military career
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army Engineer
Years of service	2000 to present
Rank	Major
Battles/wars	Iraqi Freedom
Awards	Ranger Bronze Star Medal Meritorious Svc Med

Lisa Jaster is an American soldier and an engineer. She is one of only three women to graduate the United States Army Ranger program.^[2] —one of the most difficult combat training courses in the world—Lisa was the first female Army Reserve officer to become a Ranger.^[2] She completed the training, which 36 percent of male and female students fail within the first four days, after refusing to succumb to exhaustion and repeatedly "recycling" through, or retrying, several phases of the multi-locational course. Lisa endured the training, which takes a minimum of 61 days^[3] and includes up to 20 hours of training per day alongside a strict diet, for a grueling six months.^[4] She graduated at age 37, while the average trainee age is 23.^[5]

Lisa, an avid marathoner and CrossFit fanatic,^[6] has a hard won understanding of the importance of perseverance, as well as a deeply ingrained respect for camaraderie stemming from a seven-year-long active duty career (including tours in Iraq and Afghanistan).^[7] Lisa faced difficult moments throughout her Ranger training, and cites the day two other women in the program advanced ahead of her to become the first and second female Rangers as especially trying. But according to Lisa, who is exclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau for lectures, "There is no quitting.^[8]" Throughout her training, she says she drew strength from her family, keeping pictures of her two young children with husband Marine Lt. Col. Allan Jaster in her pocket^[9] and stealing glances between training assignments. With her contagious, energetic personality, Lisa delivers emotional speeches that share key takeaways from her time in the best leadership and operational training course the Army has to offer. She often shares her experiences with a variety of audiences who can draw inspiration from her ordeal in Ranger School.

Prior to receiving her esteemed Ranger tab, Lisa worked as an engineer with Shell Oil in Houston^[7] and an Army Reserve individual mobilization augmentee with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Her background in both the military and corporate worlds allows her to connect with any audience to create a memorable experience. Lisa initially was commissioned in the Army in 2000 after graduating from the prestigious United States Military Academy at West Point,^[4] and returned to the reserves in 2012 after a 5-year hiatus from serving. She volunteered for combat training when she discovered the Army Ranger course was being opened to women for the first time in 60 years as a U.S. government experiment to see how women would fare in the notoriously brutal program^[10]

Lisa is the recipient of numerous military accolades including the Bronze Star Medal.^[11] and the Meritorious Service Medal.^[12]

Early career

Prior to receiving her esteemed Ranger tab, Major Lisa Jaster was commissioned as an Engineer Officer in 2000 upon graduation from the United States Military Academy (West Point, NY).^[13] She was initially assigned to Fort Stewart in eastern Georgia with the 92nd Engineer Battalion,^[14] and deployed in support of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in her first four years (Operation Enduring Freedom I and Operation Iraqi Freedom I).^[15] Lisa was then reassigned to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, for school, where she met her husband, Marine Lt. Col. Allan Jaster. She left active-duty in 2007 and started a family and civilian career with Shell, but returned to the Army as a reservist in 2014. Lisa holds a BS and MS in Civil Engineering.

Army Ranger

Maj. Lisa Jaster, an Army Reserve soldier, performs a fireman's carry on a simulated casualty during the Ranger Course on Ft. Benning, GA. The 37-year-old engineer and mother of two children, aged 7 and 3, is the first female Army Reserve officer to graduate the grueling combat leadership course.

One of only three women to graduate the United States Army Ranger School^[2] —one of the most difficult combat training courses in the world—Lisa was the first female United States Army Reserve officer to become a Ranger.^[2] She completed the training, which 36 percent of male and female students fail within the first four days, after refusing to succumb to exhaustion and repeatedly "recycling" through, or retrying, several phases of the multi-locational course. There were 400 participants, 19 of whom were women, who initially began the training. Lisa endured the training, which takes a minimum of 61 days^[16] and includes up to 20 hours of training per day alongside a strict diet, for a grueling six months.^[4] She graduated at age 37, while the average trainee age is 23.^[5] Capt. Kristen Griest and 1st Lt. Shaye Lynne Haver are the other two other women aside from herself who have earned the Ranger tab. They recycled together for the first round, but went on while she had to recycle for the second round. Jaster joined 87 men in receiving the coveted decoration in a ceremony at Fort Benning.

Awards & Recognition

Bronze Star Meritorious Service Medal Army Accommodation Medals x2 Outstanding Military Volunteer Medal Operation Iraqi Freedom Service Medal Operation Enduring Freedom Service Medal Korean Service Medal Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Ranger Tab Combat Action Badge Parachutist Badge Air Assault Badge Shell Recognition Awards x3

Personal life

After moving from West Point Military Academy to Fort Leonard Wood, Lisa met her husband, Marine Lt. Col. Allan Jaster, veteran of both Iraq and Afghanastan, and officer in the Marine Corps Reserve. They have two children together, Zachary and Victoria,^[17] and live in Houston, Texas. Lisa credits the support of her family as being the reason why she was able to complete her training as a Ranger^[18]

In her spare time, Jaster trains for and completes marathons, engages in CrossFit, goes scuba diving, snowboarding, and practices Brazilian jiu-jitsu.^[4]

References