Female Cadet Percentage

usafa12 said:
That has not and has never been a policy. They look for the best. If you didn't grow up with a lot of opportunities or whatever and there are people that have better applications than you, too bad! People aren't equal. period.
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I'm sorry usafa12, I didn't realize you worked in admissions.
I do know someone who was on one of the regional committees a few years ago. Perhaps I misunderstood? I'll go ask him again the next time I see him & get clarification.

In any case, all those things I listed are an "edge", do you not agree?
And do you not agree that all those who receive appointments must meet a minimum set of requirements academically, physically, etc?
 
I'm sorry, I actually have first hand experience with things I talk about, not hear say from my husband or daughter. Yes of course those things are edges. That makes your application better therefore it's an edge. Diversity recruitment allows for people with less qualification to be admitted. That is indisputable
 
USAFA83GradWife said:
In any case, all those things I listed are an "edge", do you not agree?
And do you not agree that all those who receive appointments must meet a minimum set of requirements academically, physically, etc?
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USAFA83GradWife, you raise some interesting issues, but I'm not sure what your point is. Are you suggesting that those who somehow have these "edges" should somehow be penalized relative to those that don't? Also, I don't really buy the argument that socio-economic status really confers these so-called "edges". There are a vast multitude of kids that attend the "right schools", try various sports, take placement tests multiple times but still would not be competitive. Even in places replete with "edges", only a small percentage take advantage of their opportunities and rise to the top. Should they be penalized for their efforts?

Further, I challenge the notion that somehow these "edges" are unfair. You yourself noted the cost of participating in some of these activities. For most, it involves real sacrifices for both parents and siblings in both time and treasure. Many scrape buy...by driving old cars, foregoing or doing very cheap vacations/staycations, not eating out, etc. These sacrifices certainly won't show up on any stat sheet that you could devise. I would guess that only a very tiny fraction of SA appointees come from families in the so-called top 1%. I have come across a fair number of high achievers from all socio-economic backgrounds. I have had the privilege of coaching youth soccer for many years and it becomes very apparent at a relatively early stage who will succeed and who wants to just coast, and it has little to do with race or socio-economic status. The same is true at my kids' schools. The cream will inevitably rise to the top regardless of the size or shape of the container.
 
AlexT said:
USAFA83GradWife, you raise some interesting issues, but I'm not sure what your point is. Are you suggesting that those who somehow have these "edges" should somehow be penalized relative to those that don't? Also, I don't really buy the argument that socio-economic status really confers these so-called "edges". There are a vast multitude of kids that attend the "right schools", try various sports, take placement tests multiple times but still would not be competitive. Even in places replete with "edges", only a small percentage take advantage of their opportunities and rise to the top. Should they be penalized for their efforts?
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No, no, of course not. I'm just pointing out that everyone looks for "an edge". There's nothing wrong with that. Pointing out that someone considered to be a minority has an edge, as if that is unfair, isn't looking at the big picture. And yes - socio-economic factors do give an edge. I've seen it first hand.

usafa12 - wow! that was condescending and rude. I was serious when I said that I had spoken with someone on a committee(not my husband nor my daughter). Serious question -- are you in admissions? I honestly want to know.
 
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No, I'm not in admissions, but I saw the effects of diversity recruitment when I was at usafa. There were many people who struggled hard and were kicked out of usafa and it was clear that they were part of that diversity recruitment. You wondered how they were admitted with some extremely low test scores and the like (I know this from talking to them). The same thing is going on in the pilot community now. They want the pilot field to more accurately reflect the "diverse" makeup of america. Are you kidding me? The only way to do this is lower standards, because there is in not anything that is blocking "diverse" people from flying in the air force right now.
 
usafa12 said:
No, I'm not in admissions, but I saw the effects of diversity recruitment when I was at usafa. There were many people who struggled hard and were kicked out of usafa and it was clear that they were part of that diversity recruitment. You wondered how they were admitted with some extremely low test scores and the like (I know this from talking to them). The same thing is going on in the pilot community now. They want the pilot field to more accurately reflect the "diverse" makeup of america. Are you kidding me? The only way to do this is lower standards, because there is in not anything that is blocking "diverse" people from flying in the air force right now.
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You'll get no argument from me on that front. :)
 
USAFA83GradWife said:
You'll get no argument from me on that front. :)
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usafa12 said:
No, I'm not in admissions, but I saw the effects of diversity recruitment when I was at usafa. There were many people who struggled hard and were kicked out of usafa and it was clear that they were part of that diversity recruitment. You wondered how they were admitted with some extremely low test scores and the like (I know this from talking to them). The same thing is going on in the pilot community now. They want the pilot field to more accurately reflect the "diverse" makeup of america. Are you kidding me? The only way to do this is lower standards, because there is in not anything that is blocking "diverse" people from flying in the air force right now.
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This is why I said I hoped USAFA wasn't trying to get more females at the expense of qualified males.
 
I think diversity for the sake of diversity isn't in anyone's best interest. Selecting appointees from a diverse set of candidates who all meet the required standards IS in the AF's best interest.

I honestly think SAs try to do the latter. Do they always get it right - no.
 
Tbone72 said:
It wa

I will admit that every year is easier than the year before, but 19 didn't have to take the CFA during the application process and during basic, we had to stick to a PT card for them, where they could only do 15 pushups in one sitting. This lead to the largest amount of doolies on athletic probation ever.
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We most definitely DID have to take the CFA for our applications. We had to PASS it to be considered for an appointment. I know this from personal experience, so please don't tell me I'm wrong. And I hope by "one-sitting" you mean "one hour in the front-leaning rest." And just FYSA, USCGA has a PT card as well, and after talking to a Coastie, their Basic sounds miserable. In addition to all of that, there were many sick an injured Basics that didn't take the second PFT and that's why they were on Recondo. You should get your facts straight before you make ignorant posts dissing other people.
 
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