West Point cadet from Virginia breaks ground as 1st captain

[Historic NY]

WEST POINT — An African-American woman will take the top position in West Point’s cadet chain of command for the first time in the academy’s history.

The U.S. Military Academy announced Thursday that Cadet Simone Askew of Fairfax, Virginia, has been selected first captain of the Corps of Cadets for the upcoming academic year.

Askew, who is in the Class of 2018, will be responsible for the overall performance of the roughly 4,400 cadets at West Point. She also will act as a liaison between the corps and the administration when she assumes her duties on Aug. 13.

West Point officials say Askew exemplifies the academy’s values of duty, honor and country.



http://www.recordonline.com/news/20170804/west-point-cadet-from-virginia-breaks-ground-as-1st-captain

[Aristus]

1. If there are any Trumpanzees in the Cadet Corps,

They're gonna be pissed!

They'll no doubt screech "Affirmative Action!"

Then she can drop them for pushups!

[jmowreader]

8. Not likely. Cadets know what it takes to become First Captain

Who's going to complain: people who couldn't qualify to attend the Academy if their lives depended on it.

[Aristus]

9. I hope the Corps behaves with honor.

I know a lot of other people won't. I subscribe to a number of Facebook pages devoted to tanks, tankers, and armored warfare. When a young lieutenant was recently assigned as the first female tank platoon leader, a number of very nasty, vicious misogynists on the pages screamed about political correctness, a presumed lowering of fitness standards, and the military going down the drain. It was awful and embarrassing to see. I'm proud of being a tanker, but not all of us have made it to the 21st Century yet.

[Pacifist Patriot]

2. Fantastic!

[Fresh_Start]

3. Well done Captain Askew.

and its nice to see that West Point is capable of recognizing greatness.

[Oubaas]

4. Congratulations!

Congratulations, Captain! Nice work!

[bigbrother05]

5. This is why Trump's tweet barring transgenders is so damaging

Regardless of the throwbacks that inhabit the ranks, the military has long been in the vanguard for change. While there is always going to be resistance, civilian leadership has made some of the most profound social changes widespread by first implementing them in the services.

From Harry Truman integrating the military to Clinton's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" to Obama's gender integration (open LGBT and women in combat) the military has been the leading indicator for moving the country forward on equality.

Before anyone tells me all the horror stories of mistreatment in the ranks, I've seen/heard most of them. My point is that with things like the UCMJ and the structured chain-of-command, the military adjusts to a new directive in social tolerance with more overt success than is usually found in the communities that surround their bases.

This young woman's success is important not only as a 1st, but also as it's a recognition based on merit.

[Tarheel_Dem]

6. Best wishes to Cadet Askew. Being the first black anything, comes with a special set of challenges.

If she's made it this far, sounds like she can handle it.

[sarge43]

7. Well done, Cadet. n/t

[Angry Dragon]

10. good for her

[Ilsa]

11. Way to go!

[Rover1]

12. West Point

GO ARMY - BEAT NAVY!

[raven mad]

13. This is beyond wonderful.

Congratulations, Cadet Askew!