Question for Cadettes...

That's surprising. Since I am not on social media, I wouldn't know. Quaint.
 
I like Toe-Mah-Toes on me BLT sammiches, and Poh-Tah-Toes with me steak!

The CAAF went down the PAAATH to take a BAAATH.
 
Female cadets at West Point refer to themselves all the time in writing as "cadette" (particularly in social media)

BS. Happy to know several and have viewed social media as a "friend" and have NEVER seen this. Perhaps there is a particularly immature circle of friends who do, but certainly not the norm.
 
Female cadets at West Point refer to themselves all the time in writing as "cadette" (particularly in social media)

BS. Happy to know several and have viewed social media as a "friend" and have NEVER seen this. Perhaps there is a particularly immature circle of friends who do, but certainly not the norm.

In your humble opinion.
 
"Cadette"..."Cadidiot".......Stop this political correctness. Every derogatory word has its place! In the end either of these can be used as an effective derogatory term at the right time to toughen up a slacker OR ALSO as an affectionate term among those who have developed comradery and are being playful!!
 
Female cadets at West Point refer to themselves all the time in writing as "cadette" (particularly in social media)

BS. Happy to know several and have viewed social media as a "friend" and have NEVER seen this. Perhaps there is a particularly immature circle of friends who do, but certainly not the norm.
So, you are basically calling me a liar? Why would I do that? The point is that it is perfectly fine if female cadets wish to use the term, we should just not use the label ourselves as it can be seen as demeaning. And by the way, my daughter happens to be a female cadet. No need to apologize....
 
Will I ever get to wear a nice dress here to a formal event? Just curious!
To finally answer your question, yes. There are a few opportunities for a female cadet to wear a formal civilian dress for a functions at West Point. My DD attended a Tea her plebe year that was in civvies. 100th night is a semi formal affair, also in civvies. Along the way there may also be special class functions at the Firstie or company things like wine tastings where you can wear dressy civilian attire.
 
I had looked over this post because of the title and did not give it serious consideration till I saw the first response, I had to chime in to the OP.

@DrMom and her classmates are trailblazers that young women serving today should look up to and value her opinion more than most. Beside being a Doctor and a Mom (if you couldn't get that from her screen name), she is a graduate who completed four years at the academy during a time when women were not accepted as they are today. The fours years she endured opened the doors for many young women to follow. I remind my DD of this often as we talk about my classmates and the things they have accomplished.

To the Op, I would take her advice to heart. You are a cadet just like the rest of your class. You have worked hard and earned that rank. Stand tall and represent yourself well. You are keeping the door open for the next generation of outstanding young women.
 
tbh I can see the benefit for using the -ette ending in certain circumstances as a short hand in lieu of specifying one's gender directly in social media. For example when the response to a question might be different (ie hair style regs, packing lists, weapon hold variations, etc). If those that use the term are referring to themselves and their peers and it doesn't seem to cause any issues then perhaps the generation that is using the "ette" suffix has transcended the more negative connotations it previously conjured. If so, then kudos to our more enlightened younger generations. Perhaps we should let them determine what is acceptable to them. :)
 
Dear Carol Rich.
I bet you will look lovely. Definitely send your mother a picture.

In all honesty the above term "lovely" whilst i'm sure very well-intentioned seems to commit the same type of gender bias of which the OP was accused.

It sounds like this is a generational conflict rather than a gender one, and perhaps we should empower those who use terminology that they feel best serves their purpose rather than imposing our connotations upon them.
 
Dear Cayman, Some of us have worked too hard in our day jobs to empower soldiers, sailors, airmen & Marines who happen to women to allow anyone to be condescending to them, including themselves. In this business, it is all about the men and women in uniform. However, 'lovely' is not a diminutive term. If the OP had been a young man asking a similar question, I might have noted that he would look 'handsome' no matter which one he used. Our language is not gender neutral, our ranks are gender neutral. -Dr Mom
 
I had looked over this post because of the title and did not give it serious consideration till I saw the first response, I had to chime in to the OP.

@DrMom and her classmates are trailblazers that young women serving today should look up to and value her opinion more than most. Beside being a Doctor and a Mom (if you couldn't get that from her screen name), she is a graduate who completed four years at the academy during a time when women were not accepted as they are today. The fours years she endured opened the doors for many young women to follow. I remind my DD of this often as we talk about my classmates and the things they have accomplished.

To the Op, I would take her advice to heart. You are a cadet just like the rest of your class. You have worked hard and earned that rank. Stand tall and represent yourself well. You are keeping the door open for the next generation of outstanding young women.
Did DrMom really graduate West Point? I was under the impression that she was an Army wife and West Point mom, not a grad herself.
 
I don't know why women want to be considered equal to men and give up their God-given, natural superiority.
That sounds like I'm joking, but I'm not. I am caught almost daily in awe of my wife.

Look, if you are a female Cadet, that doesn't mean you have to be a man all the time.
There is nothing wrong with wanting to wear a dress, stand out, and celebrate that you're not a man!
This isn't 1976. The class of 1980 paved the way for you.
 
Did DrMom really graduate West Point? I was under the impression that she was an Army wife and West Point mom, not a grad herself.

She could be all three.... She attended an academy, married an Army guy, and is a WP Mom .... She has paved the way for women in myriad roles and is a staunch defender of gains made based on the sacrifices she and so many others lived through. No one said female cadets can't celebrate their femininity, they can and should -- just don't use or accept diminutive labels that great women like Dr. Mom sacrificed much to challenge and overcome. Accept the respect you deserve and have earned to be a cadet.
 
Back
Top