Question for Cadettes...

Dear Carol Rich.
We never say "Cadette." Ever. The young women who attend West Point are Cadets, just like the young men who attend West Point. There is no need to diminish their status or make it sound cute. It is a hard won title that you have earned--just like the women who blazed the trail for you and your classmates.

Perhaps you did not know...but now you know...and can advise others who accidentally drift into this hot topic.

Cadets wear a dress uniform to most cadet formal events. For young women there are additional options including a mess dress style outfit with a full length black skirt and gorgeous short jacket. There are other events to which cadets wear civilian clothes in which case the cadets wear suits or dresses. You will be issued the mess dress uniform closer to the time you need it. I think 100th night is one of the times you get to wear a dress. Remember, even if you are not in an evening gown--the uniform you are wearing is a privilege that you earned and I bet you will look lovely. Definitely send your mother a picture.

I hope that helps to clarify the clothing requirements for formal events.

b/w
Dr Mom...and not 'Doctorette Mom' I am doctor, just like all of my male colleagues with the same degree.
 
Last edited:
@Stealth_81 @kinnem @TacticalNuke
This is so potentially offensive and has the potential to spread misinformation, is there a way to change the title of the tread to "Question about female Cadets" or "Question for Cadets who are women" ?
 
It appears carolrich is a cadet herself so perhaps she is fine with the use of the word. I am curious why she would not ask another female cadet in her company about the various cadet functions though.
 
Dixieland, she can use that term in her own conversation but this is a forum that serves those who are new to the system--and learning the norms of a new culture are important.
 
@Stealth_81 @kinnem @TacticalNuke
This is so potentially offensive and has the potential to spread misinformation, is there a way to change the title of the tread to "Question about female Cadets" or "Question for Cadets who are women" ?

Even that might be too offensive. It assumes too much.

Perhaps, given the subject in question, and the enlightened times we live in, the title should be changed to "Question for cadets that like to wear nice dresses."
 
I assumed that it was simply a spelling error. When I was growing up, Cadette was a specific level in Girl Scouts. Same pronunciation but different spelling.
 
I assumed that it was simply a spelling error. When I was growing up, Cadette was a specific level in Girl Scouts. Same pronunciation but different spelling.

Me too. I did not see this as the offensive campaign of the day. Not sure how misspelling cadet diminishes someone's "status."
 
On a related subject, why do academics still have cheerleaders who wear heavy makeup and mini skirts? Aren't they all cadets?
 
That extra Tes really pisses me off:mad:. I seriously think that if we had to fight WWII all over again but using today's standards, we would lose because it would be politically incorrect to defeat the Japanese. While defeating Germany would have been okay, most of our military would have been charged with war crimes
 
"Killing Japanese didn't bother me much at that time... I suppose if I had lost the war, I would have been tried as a war criminal". Gen. Curtis LaMay
 
To answer the OP's question, uniforms are not worn to 100th night. If female, this would be the opportunity to wear a dress--but it's a short dress, not long.
 
There are also informal events for upper class cadets - wine tastings, company dinners, etc where dresses will be needed. If the event is held, some plebes wear a dress w/ costume to the plebe Halloween dance (just cadets - no dates). Also, my daughter (a recent grad) would definitely cringe and likely do a quick respect lesson if referred to as "cadette," as would every single one of her friends. It is insulting to every female cadet who has worked to earn her spot in the class.
 
My apologies I didn't realize the implications of using the term "cadette".

It's not the term, it's your spelling of it that's raising objections. Your spelling denotes a certain connotation. Think of how the 12+ female WP grads who traveled to the Ranger ceremony where 2 of their sisters were the first women to receive Ranger tabs would spell Cadet.

I think you should have at least one black cocktail dress (of appropriate length) available (@WP & when you travel with dress uniforms, not when you're in the field obviously) for semi-formal wear. Seems that's what I remember from some travel articles.
 
Dear Carol Rich.
We never say "Cadette." Ever. The young women who attend West Point are Cadets, just like the young men who attend West Point. There is no need to diminish their status or make it sound cute. It is a hard won title that you have earned--just like the women who blazed the trail for you and your classmates.

Perhaps you did not know...but now you know...and can advise others who accidentally drift into this hot topic.

Cadets wear a dress uniform to most cadet formal events. For young women there are additional options including a mess dress style outfit with a full length black skirt and gorgeous short jacket. There are other events to which cadets wear civilian clothes in which case the cadets wear suits or dresses. You will be issued the mess dress uniform closer to the time you need it. I think 100th night is one of the times you get to wear a dress. Remember, even if you are not in an evening gown--the uniform you are wearing is a privilege that you earned and I bet you will look lovely. Definitely send your mother a picture.

I hope that helps to clarify the clothing requirements for formal events.

b/w
Dr Mom...and not 'Doctorette Mom' I am doctor, just like all of my male colleagues with the same degree.
Wait... what??? Women can be doctors??? Since when????

Wrote the man married to a bone breaker.
 
Back
Top