Women in Service Academies

This section is for submissions by women in/formerly in service academies
or for questions to women in service academies

I just want to add to the comments on Military Women at the Academies that I started at Texas A&M in the fall of 1974, the first year women were allowed. I graduated in December 1978, spent 4 years active duty with the 20th Engineer Brigade at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and 18 more years with the 75th Division, a reserve unit in Houston, Texas. I retired in January 2001 as a LTC. My civilian job is a Professional Engineer for the City of Houston. I met many of the first women to go through West Point at jump school at Fort Benning in the summer of 1979 and later at Fort Bragg. I was very impressed with all. I'm not sure which of my Aggie buds left the comment below. I'm really at a loss to that. I don't even know who was an IG. However, I think her admirable regard to protect her nephew may have caused a loss of perspective. Lately we have been preparing for a 30 year reunion for Women in the Corps. We have been reviewing many old photographs and I noticed that we were smiling in some that were caught in moments that I know my emotions were "oh no, this is too awful." I suppose it was a choice of laugh or cry and crying was not an option. That must have made the guys nuts thinking we were enjoying ourselves in those moments when I know we were not. Of course, smiling was not allowed, it was a slip of military bearing, a loss of composure, not good, not good and we would have been corrected. Nor do I remember smiling at those times, but there it is in the photo. The folklore of my day of the graduates of the academies in my days was that you never meet a mediocre West Point 2nd LT, only the very best and the very worst, and the average officers were produced by ROTC programs (with a few stellar and a few poor). Then as the years go by the playing field levels and it is less the original preparation and more the talent and work of the individual. So far, I've never met a "worst" female 2nd Lieutenant from West Point, just the best. I've learned it is still no picnic at Texas A&M for the women, nor for that matter is it for the men. I can't imagine it being a picnic at the Academies. Texas A&M is a different experience. You can get a commission In any branch of the service by also joining ROTC and meeting the standards for the few slots available, but the purpose of being in the Corps is to be in the Corps not to get a commission. Drill and Ceremony cadets are accepted. No free education either, unless you get a scholarship. There is a lot less control, both a good and a bad thing. It was tough and there were many times I did not think I would make it. The academies interviewed us prior to integrating and chose not to integrate the way A&M did, not that I think that made anything easier. Sometimes you just need to keep beating your head against the wall until the wall breaks. I look back now and consider myself the luckiest person in the world to have that opportunity and that it led to my years in the Army. Through that time, I thoroughly enjoyed my association with West Point graduates and I wish you all the best. You have my respect and best wishes. I always said working with West Point Officers was like running with a pack of wolves at night with the moon on the snow. You are running with the best and the brightest killers, feeling good, just be careful not to stumble. To the West Point women who recognize me, it was a privilege to know you and I hope you are blessed in life. You earned it. Besides, if you can't be a Texas Aggie, I guess its the next best thing, hah hah! To my fellow women who went through the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M, I am blessed to be associated with you. Continue to persevere and excel.

Posted: 15 FEB 02: A Different Perspective (In response to the 22 Apr 99 submission, "Academy Women Get Over")

I am a USNA grad, Class of 2001. Perhaps I have a different outlook as some messages posted I've read. For the problems some other messages pointed at having women in the military, my comment to you is that everywhere in the world you go, problems are always going to exist between males and males, males and females, and females and females. If a problem exists in the military between males and females, it's expected. It shouldn't be looked down upon. And for those who do look down upon it, then the problem lies with you not the specific male or female that were related in the situation. I would go as far to say that your nephew probably didn't mention the problems he faced with other male classmates, to the Texas ROTC grad 20+ years ago. I think before you make harsh comments on females at the military Academies, you should attend yourself first. Having gone through those four years, I do not appreciate the comments made in your message. Males have had hundreds of years to slack off in the military as long as it's existed. Maybe your nephew ran across one female who let everyone else hold the weight for her, one female out of the past 26 years we've been "allowed" to attend the Academies. I believe your opinions are too bold of something you know not of, and too stereotypical of one situation. The problems I faced at the Naval Academy were from the chauvenistic males, not my attitude nor my workload. I held my own those four years and I worked hard, I deserved that diploma and commission. Every problem I faced was because of the male attitude that females (even 26 years later) should not attend the Academies. And this they threw in my face every day for those four years. I stayed and I made it. Maybe you think you made the difference those 20+ years ago, and maybe you did. But I tell you this, your attendance in ROTC two years before females were admitted into the Service Academies did not make my time there any easier. I appreciate those who have gone before me and one reason I stayed in was to make it easier for those still to follow. I have seen the more negative side of the Academy through the foul treatment I was put through by males, but in the end, I still graduated and am in the Fleet now. This has been my dream since God knows when and I have succeeded. My advice to those who read this who are behind me, do not let anybody stand in your way. Your dream is your own, don't let anyone take it away from you.

Posted: 16 Jun 00: Interested in Navy Aviation? Here's your chance to communicate with a female Navy aviator:

My name is Amanda. I am a Lieutenant(O-3) in the US Navy. I am a Naval Flight Officer with an F-14D Tomcat squadron. If you saw the movie "Top Gun", my job is that of Goose's, although a little different than the Hollywood-portrayed version. We are a combat-deployable squadron and returned in May '99 from a Persian Gulf deployment flying in support of Operation Southern Watch in Iraq. I have earned my Combat Air Medal for flight time over hostile territory. I am a Naval Academy Graduate ('95). The reason I am writing is to offer my experiences to anybody doing research or having questions regarding joining. E-mail: ABoxcar@aol.com

Posted: 22 Apr 99: "This is to any female who is thinking of applying to West Point..."

Don't let anyone tell you that you aren't "cut-out" for a service academy because you are female. As a cadet here, I know firsthand what goes on at our nation's finest service academy. West Point is a great place. (As is Navy and Air Force). Females can and DO succeed here along with their male counterparts. If you are the kind of person who is athletic and likes to be involved in different activities, if you want to take a leadership role in your career, or if you would like to be in the Army, don't let anyone hold you back. Find out as much as you can, and apply early (the spring of your junior year in high school is best). This place is awesome. Work hard, play hard. GO WOLFPACK!!

I was in the first class of women in the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M (2 years before the Academies). While not having the prestige of the Academies, many, if not all, of our experiences were the same as those trailblazers. My nephew is now at West Point, following a long family tradition. Over the years, this boy was raised so gender neutral, I once had to explain to him why some people thought it was strange for him to go the the rifle range with his Aunt!

Now, however, he is running scared of the females (I hesitate to call them women - they're not mature enough for that) at West Point. This Respect for Others Program at the Academy is being used by the females to get over & keep the males from requiring them to do the right thing. Specifically, my nephew caught one of his female classmates shirking her duties, requiring all the other classmates to pick up her slack. He berated her, told her that was unacceptable behavior, and he would report her if she did it again. Knowing my nephew, he probably got pretty hot & more "in her face" than he thinks he did. Anyway, as he left her, he saw a smirk on her face & didn't think he had upset her. Later, the Respect for Others Advisor in his company pulled him over and chewed him out because the girl had come to his room in tears over what my nephew had said to her. When he explained his side, the upperclassman told him to apologize anyway, because if she chose to push the issue, they couldn't protect my nephew. With something like that on his record, he would never be chosen for a leadership position. What does an experience like that teach a male? Only that there is no level playing field.

I am currently an Inspector General in the Army and would have dearly loved to have jumped in with both feet first. But, as an Aunt, I felt it was more important for my nephew to fight his own battles & learn from them. At the same time I feel totally disgusted. I did not go through what I did 20+ years ago so that females today get a free ride and are allowed to slack off. Until women are treated the same as men, in responsibilities and discipline, as well as opportunities, there will always be an opening for people to complain that women do not belong and point to such examples as justification.

Just a quick note to all the cadets out there - especially at West Point. I was at West Point from the fall of 1988 until May 1992. During my time there I saw a huge change in how the academy deals with plebes as well at the actual reporting of harassment of any type. While I was there it was put up or be drummed out. I'm happy to read that it seems to have changed. I hated my first two years but the last two weren't so bad - keep the faith! My first duty assignment was Ft. Bragg, 82d Airborne Division so if any of you have questions about it, feel free to drop me a line. I am an Ordnance officer but have worked with several other branches in Airborne Operations. Best of Luck CPT Dana Christian