Female Cadet Percentage

twaf0904

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Mar 10, 2016
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The class of 2019's profile states that 26.5% of the class is made up of females. I've heard from a few sources they are looking to increase that percentage. Can anyone confirm this?
 
I believe the goal is 30% in the AF overall. I had thought that USAFA was targeting 25% women, so it appears that they have met that goal.

Regardless, don't depend on recruitment goals thinking it's giving anyone an advantage. All candidates must still meet minimum requirements to get appointed & that's no small feat
 
It's all about how you feel. So the % can fluctuate daily depending on the 'unit' of measure
 
Also, keep in mind that C/O 2019 had a huge attrition rate in Basic and many of the people that quit were girls. I'm pretty sure we started with closer to 30% of the class being girls.
 
Serendipity, also keep in mind that 2019 had the world's easiest basic and many people are no longer at the academy due to being incredibly out of shape.
 
I'm not sure I follow. . .
It wa
Every class since '59 has heard
Your BCT was weak and easy
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.
 
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.
Did none of the AETC cadets tell you about demanding perfection in those 15?
"FOUR!...Down!....UP!...Basic Smith did not have correct form!...DOWN!...UP!...FOUR!"
 
1. I disagree with your premise that 'every year is easier'. The pendulum swings back and forth with regard to hard vs easy and defining hard vs easy is different for everyone

Every time a new Commandant shows up - the regimen changes. Some years (training cycles) are more physical than the previous year but the next Commandant might over correct - refer to '86 Hell Week (recognition) and the large volume of cadets hospitalized and then how '87 training starting with BCT was handled (there are still those in '85 that insist the failure was because '86 was physically weak and not the complete lack of H2O provided)

The military's 'training' has also changed with the pendulum. Back in the day, SA's were about 'weeding out the weak' and attrition rates were 30-50% per class. Much more focus on leadership vs crushing people for the sake of crushing people.

2. I question your 'facts' and doubt the 'incredible number' of people having left because they were out of shape and that people didn't take the CFA to get appointed. You would have to cite some specific research - the cadet rumor mill is a fun place for information but is about as accurate as information on this forum - it's hit and miss

3. If you are implying that the standard has been lowered because the % of women has increased (and you selected this thread to comment) I would challenge that as opinion vs fact. I read the CFA scores posted on the 'do I have a chance' threads, I often think 'not bad - for a woman' and then realize they were posted by young men. (My DD can max the men's CFA except for the BB throw and thought the entire exercise was a waste of real workout time).

4. If someone is not up to the standard especially as an 18-20 year old the chance of that being a leadership issue/opportunity vs an individual problem are probably more weighted to the leadership problem and it is my understanding that SAs are trying to make it more about 'how does an upperclassmen meet this challenge' vs the put all the onus on the Doolie

My older sister (a grad) still insists that my class had it easy and I am certain I will be telling my DD about 'back in the day' when it was 'hard'....
 
Why does it matter?
Do you best in all you do. Other outside influences on who gets appointed is beyond your control.

The SAs are never looking for 'more girls'. They are making an effort to make highly qualified young women and other diversity candidates aware of the opportunities that come with attending and graduating a SA and then serving as an officer in the US military.

Lots of debate on the topic as to whether this is good/bad.

The fact is - the SAs and the military are doing it and the 'bad' that results from it means more competition for everyone for those precious slots

I operate on the premise of enlightened self interest. I am often asked to evangelize to schools about SAs, I was reluctant to do that before my DD was appointed because why would I want to increase the number of already highly qualified candidates she was already competing against

From an overall competitve perspective - most grads will tell you they could never get appointed today based on the scores they see regardless of sex or ethnic background
 
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I operate on the premise of enlightened self interest. I am often asked to evangelize to schools about SAs, I was reluctant to do that before my DD was appointed...
Actually, you just described unenlightened self-interest. In other words, when most or all persons act according to their own myopticselfishness. :( It's related to the concept that was often quoted by Donald Rumsfeld where "A's hire A's and B's hire C's".

... because why would I want to increase the number of already highly qualified candidates she was already competing against
So to answer your question, the reason why you would help attract the best and brightest is for the good of the country.
Because "A's aren't afraid A's".:sofa:

Cerberi, I'm not trying to bust your chops. I'm sure your daughter is highly motivated and accomplished. :)
 
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When a SA tries to increase a certain gender or ethnicity and are open about increasing qualified candidates in that area it means they focus their budgets, recruiting, etc for those items. West Point was very open about increasing women a few years. It meant their admissions recruiting budget focused on that, increased women in admissions, and laser focused on events, locations, etc of places where qualified women are. They focused on schools with highly qualified female students, athletic events, camps, etc that attract academically and physically strong women who might be open to the idea of something different then a regular college experience. A prime example of this is when the SEALs increased in size. They focused their recruiting efforts on large events where qualified young men of amazing physical and mental strength are... Guess where they targeted? Elite and NCAA swimming, water polo, wrestling meets, tourneys, scouting events.

And every SA grad knows that every class after them had it easier... It's just common knowledge! The difference is every grad says it for fun, every current Cadet/amid believes it.
 
Not only do they focus their budgets but they also lower standards. This is becoming standard as everyone and their mother panders to the political correctness modern age and the must have need for "diversity". On the idea that every class has it easier and easier, don't be fooled by joking. There is truth to that. I saw it in my own class after 4 short years. The academy became easier in terms of restrictions and rules. The focus is not on building a military warrior anymore but on creating "scientists" and money managers.
 
basically your support folks, like finance officers, comm officers, contractors, etc.
 
Not only do they focus their budgets but they also lower standards. This is becoming standard as everyone and their mother panders to the political correctness modern age and the must have need for "diversity". On the idea that every class has it easier and easier, don't be fooled by joking. There is truth to that. I saw it in my own class after 4 short years. The academy became easier in terms of restrictions and rules. The focus is not on building a military warrior anymore but on creating "scientists" and money managers.
That may be true regarding rules/restriction over the last couple of years, however, if you ask any cadet about the sudden tightening of rules/standards and wing wide restrictions just a few weeks ago, you'll see that there's an attempt to turn that trend around -- and quickly.
 
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