For the first time in the program's history, two women are set to graduate from the United States Army Ranger School, often dubbed the "toughest combat course in the world," USA Today reported.

The female soldiers were part of a group of 19, who passed a rigorous screening process to be included in the physically demanding course, which had been closed to women since it opened more than six decades ago. They are set to graduate from the school -- which trains soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines at various locations -- next week, the newspaper detailed.

Secretary of the Army John McHugh praised the women's effort in a statement, CNN noted. "This course has proven that every Soldier, regardless of gender, can achieve his or her full potential," McHugh insisted.

Despite their graduation from the Army Ranger School, however, the female soldiers are not eligible to join the 75th Ranger Regiment, an elite special operations force. They will likely have to await a Department of Defense decision on what combat roles women will be allowed to fulfill, which is expected later this year, the news channel explained.

The graduation ceremony is set to be held at Fort Benning, Georgia, the home of Ranger School's headquarters, the Washington Post detailed. Along with the two female soldiers, 94 male service members will receive the Ranger Tab during the event.

Army officials told the newspaper that in order to complete the course, trainees had to overcome fatigue, hunger and extreme stress. Family members, friends, hundreds of well-wishers and media from across the country are expected to recognize their sacrifice at the Fort Benning ceremony. 

In his statement, meanwhile, McHugh extended his congratulations to "all of our new Rangers."

"Each Ranger School graduate has shown the physical and mental toughness to successfully lead organizations at any level," the secretary noted. "We owe soldiers the opportunity to serve successfully in any position where they are qualified and capable, and we continue to look for ways to select, train, and retain the best Soldiers to meet our nation's needs."