Question for Cadettes...

^^ Yes indeed, was trying to protect her anonymity as I wasn't certain how much she has previously revealed. And in that role, she has worked tirelessly to ensure economic parity for all Gold Star wives/spouses. In other roles, she has had direct responsibility for active duty health care policy, and has weighed in on the role of women in combat arms, using science and actual data to refute claims that all women, based on gender, cannot perform satisfactorily in combat roles. She makes so many of us look like slackers on every level.
 
^^ Yes, and answered several times - and in the interim, information provided regarding the appropriate title for female cadets.
 
another13mom said:
...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...
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Oh I get it. I meant no disrespect, but the OP told us that she and others at the Academy use the term "Cadette" all the time.
If it's okay with them, it should be okay for everyone else. Times have changed, and sometimes it's us that have to change with them.

The Corps has changed a LOT over the years (and has gotten a lot "kindler and gentler", were I to opine), but I don't feel like less of a Marine because D.I.s aren't allowed to hit them or swear at them anymore.
 
There is a sociological circumstance where terms that are derogatory or diminishing in origin, when adopted by those to whom the terms are applied, becomes a way of diminishing their power to hurt. You can probably think of terms used inside a group, but are not acceptably used outside a group.

The term “WUBA” is a derogatory term once commonly used at USNA and in the Navy for women. It killed me when I heard the women on the women’s basketball team refer to themselves or other women as WUBAs, though I understood what was happening. They were making the term their own to lessen the sting and take away its power.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=wuba&amp=true
(There are many other references.)

I would never refer to a female cadet as a cadette, out of respect for their true rank. But I get why it is used within the group.

Words carry a lot of power, especially naming words, and can be charged with many shades of meaning, depending on who is saying it and who is hearing it.
 
Capt MJ,
WUBA still burns. I hate to see it. I hate to hear it. Actually, I have edited my post because I hate to think about it and know that it existed and still exists. It is a hateful term. Within the last few years someone junior to me said, "Wow, a WUBA!" and was floored by the level of correction he received from me (because I am so ladylike--and petite)--starting with, "You have not earned the right to even know what that term means."

Terms/language evolves over time so that and I hate to write this, WM, which used to mean Woman Marine and was benign, now means a completely derogatory acronym--and if you were not paying attention during the transition of the term--you may have missed it-- so that every now and again someone, usually someone from another service, would spill "WM" in a meeting--and have to be corrected. They earned the same title as the men. They are Marines.

But, MJ, you know, in this business it is all about the men and women in uniform. There is no better looking woman at the ball than the lady in mess dress. Anyone can go to the mall and buy a dress or order one online from Rent the Runway. You have to earn the right to wear the uniform.
 
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So to sum up the post:
1. Yes, female cadets will have the opportunity to wear a regular dress at certain times in their cadet career
2. All soldiers have earned the right to wear the uniform. We should all wear it proudly.
3. We should all consider how our historical slang/comments are received by others. WP has a similar term and there is no way I would ever consider calling my daughter such a name and would be very upset if someone else did as well.
3. Dr Mom is one "bad ass" lady who has served her country in numerous roles through the years. She is the poster child for a lifetime of service and makes the rest of us look very ordinary. When she blesses us with her advice, we should value it.
 
THParent said:
I meant no disrespect, but the OP told us that she and others at the Academy use the term "Cadette" all the time.
If it's okay with them, it should be okay for everyone else.
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I'm just a SA parent, but agree with Capt MJ - even if female cadets (or others) at West Point opt to use the "cadette" term, the rest 0f us should continue to use terms that honor and respect the rank/position that each cadet has earned.
 
I still get it.
I was not suggesting that anyone outside of that institution should use the term, or it should make it's way into general parlance.
I just thought if that's what they want to do, It's certainly not our place to correct them.

Maybe that just goes for me. I feel that It's not MY place to correct them. You folks feel free to knock yourselves out, though.
 
DD was on leave and helping her school teacher Mother sell poppies outside the grocery store for Veterans Day. Ex Marine bought one and asked about DD. Mom told him she was a Marine Officer on leave. He told Mother that they used to call them a BAM. DD wanted to cross the parking lot and kick his a**. Mother stopped her before it got out of hand and we had police involved. She would have killed him and he wasn't that old.
 
Oorah!
AF6872 said:
DD was on leave and helping her school teacher Mother sell poppies outside the grocery store for Veterans Day. Ex Marine bought one and asked about DD. Mom told him she was a Marine Officer on leave. He told Mother that they used to call them a BAM. DD wanted to cross the parking lot and kick his a**. Mother stopped her before it got out of hand and we had police involved. She would have killed him and he wasn't that old.
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r
 
I wondered if BAM was going to make the list.

Be careful with “ex Marine”. It can elicit just a strong reaction as has been posted in this thread.

Here’s to all who are called to serve their country. Respect them and address them appropriately.
 
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