This summer, Master Sergeant Janina B. Simmons will become the first female Sergeant Major in the U.S. Army with the coveted Ranger tab, a distinction that has been recognized in military history since 1775.
She was the first Black woman to graduate from Ranger School in 2019, demonstrating that hard work and dedication can overcome obstacles.
After 14 years of service, she has broken records by becoming a sergeant major and possessing one of the Army’s most sought-after credentials.
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“This is crazy, but in 5 months on the dot I will become the FIRST female Ranger qualified Sergeant Major in the Army,” Simmons wrote on Instagram in January. “Women were officially allowed to serve in the Army in 1948. Ranger school was opened to women in 2015.”
“And on June 8th, 2025, a few days before the Armys 250th birthday, barriers will be broken yet again!! I am inspired by every woman who has paved the way befor me, because I am trying to pave the way for future Soldiers. It’s not about making history, but it is about chasing after your dreams fearlessly, despite who or what stands in your way.”
Simmons finished Ranger School without being recycled, a remarkable feat that demonstrates her outstanding competence.
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During her remarks at the 2023 Women’s Equality Day observance, Simmons ascribed her success to a determined work ethic, according to the U.S. Army.
She said she referred to herself as an “average Joe,” having nothing unique about her. She stated that she had no hobbies or interests growing up—she did not read, exercise, or attend class.
However, it all began to change in Basic Training when she enlisted in the Army to assist with college expenses, encouraged by her father, who had served in the military before.
She stated, “I fell in love with the discipline, the camaraderie, the ability to just do great things and be with other soldiers.”
Simmons explained that when she observed a soldier getting acknowledged at graduation, she concluded that putting forth a little additional work may be worthwhile.
During her time at Advanced Individual Training, she studied and worked out before and after school, earning her the title of distinguished honor graduate and Iron Soldier for fitness.
She said, “That was the first inkling where I felt like, ‘Hey, if you do a little bit extra, have a goal, you can be great,’ so I put that extra in the ordinary—ordinary Joe—to be extraordinary.”
According to Simmons, she had shown interest in competing in the Soldier of the Quarter board when she was a specialist, but she had been warned that she was unlikely to win because the board was for the best of the best.
Nonetheless, she resolved to help herself and studied whenever possible, placing sections of the study guide where she could see them and studying regularly while she went about her day.
She ultimately won the board.
She expressed, “The reason that encounter as a specialist was so important, because that was my blueprint—put in the extra work no matter what it is, no matter who is by your side, whether you think you can do it or not, you will be successful.”
As a result of her efforts, she was able to graduate with honors from Air Assault School; master the art of learning under pressure at the Master Gunner Course, which required her to stay up late studying and survive on only three hours of sleep for weeks; earn Iron Soldier and distinguished honor graduate status at the Warrior Leader Course and again at the Advanced Leader Course, along with an additional “triple threat” leadership award; earn distinguished honor graduate status at Drill Sergeant School among military occupational specialties that differed from her own; join the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club, among other accomplishments as she advanced in her military career.
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Even with her accomplishments, Simmons said she experienced imposter syndrome, saying, “No matter how great I did anything, I still always felt like I wasn’t supposed to be in the room; I always felt inferior, no matter what.”
“At that time, I had accolades, but no matter what, I always felt inferior,” she said.
Despite this, she persisted, taking on the hard job of becoming a drill sergeant leader, subsequently shaving her hair, and eventually graduating Ranger school.
Simmons advised, “Never feel like you have arrived. Once you feel like you’ve arrived, that work ethic is just somewhere down here… I am so hungry; I think once I actually pinned the (Ranger) tab, I felt like I was back at a private again and now I have to work even harder, and it just keeps me so hungry and so humble to just keep going and get after whatever it is that I need to get after.”
She added, “Greatness is relative to what you think greatness is. I think greatness is, if you leave the room, how do people talk in your absence? Does someone say ‘oh my gosh, she’s such a good person’?”
At the time, Simmons stated that she was preparing to receive the Expert Soldier Badge in September alongside her colleagues in the 108th. She also expressed hope for the Sergeants Major Academy and said she was thinking about attending other schools.
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