Because of the scarcity of women at West Point, combined with Title 9 requirements, most women there were accepted due to athletic prowess, more than academic accomplishments. Not a hard an fast rule, but generally true.
I remember one black female cadet in particular. She was in fact there because of academics. In fact, she had received some sort of NAACP stipend to attend. Keep in mind that it is free to attend, and they actually pay you. So this stipend was absurd, but she accepted it.
Anyway, her standards were low...very low. She almost instantly went on ‘profile’, which means injured, and did not participate in many, many of the first summer’s training.
I have to interject a true story: We were all being starved, and very weak after around 6 weeks...and ready to do a 17 mile road march the next day. The senior cadets in charge of us took pity on us, and produced a watermelon - to be shared by around 20 of us plebes. We considered it to be a huge treat, and something that would give us a small boost for the next day. It was cut up into 20 pieces, and we filed by to get one. I was last in line, and this black female was right ahead of me. Now she wasn’t facing a 17 mile march the next day - she was allegedly injured and slated to ride in the back of a truck. So, when she approached the plate, with two pieces left - one normal size and one the end sliver, I thought she might take the small piece. She didn’t.
Anyway, I lost track of her for the next few years, until near graduation. The officer in charge of her (Tactical Officer) made the huge mistake of being moral, and doing the right thing. He recommended that, although this cadet had completed all the graduation requirements, she not be commissioned into the army. He just didn’t think she had any of the skills necessary to be a leader, and just wanted to give her a diploma and have her leave the army.
Did I mention she was a black female? That poor bastard probably ruined his career, an she got a commission.
Interesting story. Thank you for your service.
In today’s world every place is what you make it.
My son graduated w/honors in 2014 with a real degree. All the cadets I met, and I met & hosted a ton, where great young people. Proud to have met 99% of them.
My youngest son is now in the Corp of Cadets at VA Tech. Again, it is what you make it.
Both places are excellent, in different ways - but still far superior to a party school.
And both places are trying to train morale, ethical leaders....for the most part.
Wow! Great stories. I sought West Point admission after joining as an enlisted man first, but a messed up medical check kept me out (papers got lost). I ended up going through OCS, however the PC stories you are revealing make me think providence was at work.