As the Army considers opening Ranger School to female soldiers, women have shown their ability to tackle another prestigious Army course for the past 13 years.

The 28-day Sapper Leader Course at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., where combat engineers and engineer officers earn the coveted Sapper tab, has been open to women since 1999.

Since then, about 130 female soldiers have attended the course and about 50 have graduated, said Capt. John Chambers, the officer in charge of the course.The graduation rate for the course is about 50 percent, Chambers said, adding that women averaged about a 38 percent graduation rate early on but now have leveled out at about 50 percent.Click here to read more from Army Times

Army Capt. Christine Murray climbing out of the frigid water after the helocast and swim event of the 2011 Best Sapper competition. Photo by