def get_urs_pass_user(netrc_file):
    """
    retrieve the urs password and username from a .netrc file
    :param netrc_file: this is a path to a file that contains the urs username
    and password in the .netrc format
    :return: [tuple] (user_name, password)
    """
    with open(netrc_file, 'r') as f:
        text = f.read()
        words = text.split()

    # find urs.earthdata.nasa.gov
    url = 'urs.earthdata.nasa.gov'
    url_loc = words.index(url)
    user_name_loc = words[url_loc:].index('login') + 2
    user_name = words[user_name_loc]
    pword_loc = words[url_loc:].index('password') + 2
    pword = words[pword_loc]
    return user_name, pword