VMI Female Cadets?

Sara

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Nov 3, 2014
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This is my first thread, so I hope I'm doing this right.:)
So, I'm a 17 yr/o female, and I since the summer of freshmen year, I have wanted to join the military. Over the summer last year, I visited VMI, and I really loved the place, and everyone I talked to was very helpful. But, I also know that only about 15% of the incoming this year were female., and the disparity between the number of male and female cadets bothers me, because I don't want to be treating differently because I am a girl in a predominantly male institute.
I would love to go to VMI, but i just worry I would be looked down on. So, I guess my question is this: are female cadets accepted and welcomed at VMI, or are they more tolerated? I got the impression that they were welcomed and treated with respect, but I also only talked to a small number of cadets.

Any input or answer would be greatly appreciated!
 
Sara, I have never gone to VMI, but I was a female at USNA and a female Marine. At the time I was at USNA females were 12% of the class and when I was a Marine we were 10%. So I do have experience with these sort of environments. What I can tell you is that the more you pull your weight the more respect you will be given, this goes for either gender. If you can't stay in runs, fall out of hikes or they have to keep pulling you along, you will be looked down upon. This is also true for your male counterparts. Generally at any SA, SMC or the military, no one will care if you are a male or female if you pull your weight, work hard, and don't pull "the female card" you will generally be ok. More likely you will feel like you gained 100s of brothers. I will let others address VMI specifics. Good luck in your journey.
 
Sara, I have never gone to VMI, but I was a female at USNA and a female Marine. At the time I was at USNA females were 12% of the class and when I was a Marine we were 10%. So I do have experience with these sort of environments. What I can tell you is that the more you pull your weight the more respect you will be given, this goes for either gender. If you can't stay in runs, fall out of hikes or they have to keep pulling you along, you will be looked down upon. This is also true for your male counterparts. Generally at any SA, SMC or the military, no one will care if you are a male or female if you pull your weight, work hard, and don't pull "the female card" you will generally be ok. More likely you will feel like you gained 100s of brothers. I will let others address VMI specifics. Good luck in your journey.

Outstanding post, Navyhoops.
Sara,
I believe VMI has done an outstanding job in this regard, and your level of success will depend greatly... on YOU. I will tell you that you should only commit to VMI if you are ready for the toughest experience of your life and you are ready to give 100% to being the best cadet possible... and (as Sara put it) not "pull the female card." Be the example brother rat to your brother rats, work as hard as you can, pull MORE than your weight, look SHARPER than the others, and maintain a balance between the physical, mental, and academic challenges you will experience at VMI. If you're ready, VMI will put you on the path to great success in life.
I wish the BEST of luck to you!
 
I agree with NavyHoops (and in my day females were only 8% of the Brigade). One thing, however, is not to forget you are a woman. It's a very fine line b/t doing what the guys do -- holding up your end -- and becoming "one of the guys." In my day at least, the latter was somewhat frowned upon by both genders not only at USNA but in the USN (when I was the only female officer in a unit of 65 officers). Example: guys are roughhousing with each other for "fun" (not part of any organized activity). They really didn't want a female jumping into the fray. Not sure if things have changed in this regard.
 
This is my first thread, so I hope I'm doing this right.:)
So, I'm a 17 yr/o female, and I since the summer of freshmen year, I have wanted to join the military. Over the summer last year, I visited VMI, and I really loved the place, and everyone I talked to was very helpful. But, I also know that only about 15% of the incoming this year were female., and the disparity between the number of male and female cadets bothers me, because I don't want to be treating differently because I am a girl in a predominantly male institute.
I would love to go to VMI, but i just worry I would be looked down on. So, I guess my question is this: are female cadets accepted and welcomed at VMI, or are they more tolerated? I got the impression that they were welcomed and treated with respect, but I also only talked to a small number of cadets.

Any input or answer would be greatly appreciated!
Sent you a pm
 
Hey Sara!
An acquaintance of mine (ironically named Sarah) is in her second year at VMI and she loves it!
Her rat year was really hard but it wasn't because of her gender at all.
But I have another female friend at the Citadel and she has a lot of issues with being a female athlete at the school.
So it really just depends on which military institute your going to, you should be fine at VMI though.
 
Hey Sara!
But I have another female friend at the Citadel and she has a lot of issues with being a female athlete at the school.

It could not necessarily be the female thing it could be the athlete thing. You know your friend better than I. But when athletics hide out in the athletic facilities, don't pull their Corp duties, and leave there Corp duties work to their counterparts, it don't sit well.
 
Hey Sara!
An acquaintance of mine (ironically named Sarah) is in her second year at VMI and she loves it!
Her rat year was really hard but it wasn't because of her gender at all.
But I have another female friend at the Citadel and she has a lot of issues with being a female athlete at the school.
So it really just depends on which military institute your going to, you should be fine at VMI though.
Haha that's good to hear!
 
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