Women of West Point

This is possibly the worst of the "expose" type articles that have come out since I've been here.
 
We should not say "Great leaders" so easily. Not to take away from their accomplishments, but they haven't even graduated from their officer basic course yet.

Or passed a PT test, in the case of the girl quoted for being laughed at for wanting to go Infantry.
 
^^ Is that necessary? How do you know she hasn't passed - rumor or fact and if fact, based on what? Do you know if she is recovering from an injury?
 
^^ Is that necessary? How do you know she hasn't passed - rumor or fact and if fact, based on what? Do you know if she is recovering from an injury?

Does it matter? The point I was trying to make is that although getting accepted to West Point and graduating from West Point are great accomplishment, if an officer fails as a leader none of his or her soldier is going to care what this officer did at West Point. Many great cadets don't perform well as officers and many average or below aveage cadets become good officers.

As for the PT test, whoever BigBear is talking about must have passed the final PT test or else she wouldn't be graduting or have graduated. Hate to say it, perhaps I am being littel bit old fashioned, but I don't think highly of officers justing "passing" their PT test.
 
This goes back to how much flare you are expected to wear. I have no idea who "just passed" or "maxed out" CGA's PT test. None. And it didn't matter to me.

This reminds me of an article in the Tennessean newspaper a number of years ago. If referred to kids passing standardized tests as "heroes". Heroes? Yeah, I don't think so. We water down words in the process of sticking them where they don't belong.

I have no idea if these women are great leaders, but I do know, independent of gender, it was very hard to figure out who would be "great leaders" or "great officers" even in our final semester. That realization will come. It's often automatically assumed by the outside world though.
 
I feel honored to have provided a great topic of discussion.:shake:
 
Sorry - my comment was directed at Big Bear spreading what may be an unsubstantiated rumor, and not taking into account whether the young woman is recovering from an injury or, in fact, has passed her APFT. Yes the content of the article may be a bit over the top, but taking pot shots on a public forum at an easily identifiable young cadet is unfair, unkind and serves no purpose but to embarrass the young lady in question.
 
Agree another13mom. Unnecessary pot shot. While the article may have been a bit over the top I have to assume it could be a great recruiting tool for females...at least until young female recruits see many of the male cadets comments on social media sites in regards to it.
 
I would think Big Bear, being a current cadet, would know if the female in question had passed or not. That kind of stuff gets around, especially when said female is talking about "going Infantry."

Don't worry, though, the Army's going to have females in the Infantry, Ranger School, etc after the standards are "adjusted." A study will be done, and magically, the report will indicate that previously required X number of pushups or Y time for 2-mile run is just not needed to be in the Infantry.
 
BigBear has been a member of the forum for a long time and always shoots straight. I have always found him to be truthful and helpful in his comments.
 
Does it matter? The point I was trying to make is that although getting accepted to West Point and graduating from West Point are great accomplishment, if an officer fails as a leader none of his or her soldier is going to care what this officer did at West Point. Many great cadets don't perform well as officers and many average or below aveage cadets become good officers.

As for the PT test, whoever BigBear is talking about must have passed the final PT test or else she wouldn't be graduting or have graduated. Hate to say it, perhaps I am being littel bit old fashioned, but I don't think highly of officers justing "passing" their PT test.

That particular girl is currently a yuk, her older sister was the one who graduated. It is necessary because the article frames it to make it sound like guys here are actively trying to put our female classmates down simply because they're female, which has not been the case in my experience. Articles like this do more to increase tension than alleviate it.
 
Not that he needs it but I'd like to stick up for BigBear a little.

This comment could have been made whether the cadet was male or female, and has been made for either gender in the past.

I echo that BigBear is current cadet/senior, I would doubt his comment would be rumor since chances are he is familiar with said cadet.

Tempering the HooAah that come from some of these articles whether they focus on male or female cadets from either USMA or ROTC is not taking a Pot Shot in my mind, more of putting things in perspective.

BigBear has always been supportive to cadets and perspective cadets, and there is always more to a story then what gets printed.

All in all it was not a bad article, the "Great Leader" is something that has yet to be determined, and that goes for all new commissions, male or female.
 
I apologize if that came off as a pot shot, but articles like this really get under my skin. There are a ton of cadets, male and female, doing amazing things every day and getting ready to become great officers. Articles like this, that seek to enflame a perceived male v female hostility, do nothing to promote the Academy and really only incite a negative response from most cadets.
 
I apologize if that came off as a pot shot, but articles like this really get under my skin. There are a ton of cadets, male and female, doing amazing things every day and getting ready to become great officers. Articles like this, that seek to enflame a perceived male v female hostility, do nothing to promote the Academy and really only incite a negative response from most cadets.

:thumb: Well said.
 
"Articles like this do more to increase tension than alleviate it." Sadly, I agree with you Big Bear. Many cadets both male and female seem to be upset about the article. Many are posting on social media sites, many are defensive and it is obvious the article is divisive among many in the corps. However, I do not think the intent of the article was to inflame a perceived hostility. I did not take away a negative view of male cadets or a boosted positive view of female cadets from the article. I viewed the article as a recruiting tool and nothing more. I did not think the article painted a negative picture of West Point in regards to gender relationships...however the backlash I have read on the social media sites is another story.
 
MomWPgirl, you have mentioned social media sites where cadets are posting comments. Could you direct me to these sites? I would be interested in reading the various comments.
 
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