Lightning struck 40 Ranger students and 4 instructors Wednesday evening smack dab in the middle of Ranger School at Camp Rudder.
Oddly enough, at the precise time of the incident, the students were learning about lightning safety during the 17-day Swamp Phase of the course, Army Times reports.
A total of 17 students and two instructors stayed in the hospital overnight Wednesday. As of Thursday evening, nine students and two instructors are still in the hospital, though they are expected to recover. The timing of their release is unknown.
The two females left in Ranger School were not struck by the lightning, which occurred at 4:55 p.m. CDT on day 7 of a 10-day mission.
“The Ranger students and instructors reacted and got everyone proper medical care quickly,” Col. David Fivecoat, commander of the Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade, said in a statement. “Ranger students and instructors are tough. Thirty-one students will return to training tonight and continue with increased medical monitoring as they try to earn their Ranger tab.”
The Swamp Phase of the school trains students in waterborne operations, stream crossing and platoon-level maneuvers, among other skills.
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