Congratulations to Cadet Zorn!!! Overall a great article, but I am dismayed by the focus on Ms. Mace and her comments about Shannon Faulkner, the first female cadet who broke the glass ceiling so that Ms. Mace and Cadet Zorn could attend The Citadel. The article cites to Ms. Mace's comment that Shannon Faulkner was a "failure" presumably because she was not physically fit or mentally tough. Ms. Faulkner should be revered; it was her courage and tenacity in the face of sexism, threats, and harassment that allowed the women cadets after her to succeed. Ms. Faulkner is not a failure; she is a hero.
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I pray the backlash does not overwhelm the progress, as in, one step forward, two steps backward. The empowering of those feel victimized by progress by our POTUS is empowering many who fear progress.
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Progress.
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Wonderful accomplishment, Ms. Zorn. Definitely a role model and someone men and women can look up to.
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Yay.
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An ex Marine in my office spends most of the day telling anyone who will listen, his war stories. He also edifies us constantly, that everyone, black, white, yellow, female, Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, Cub Scouts, are inferior to him and his fellow Marines. It is exhausting to have to listen to him. Unfortunately, I cannot escape him. I do not understand why management tolerates him.
The author refers to,"artificial stress," designed to humble cadets. Evidently this fellow escaped unscathed.
Again, he constantly reminds us how inferior women are, and have no place in the Corp.
This attitude shows we have a long way to go. Bravo to this young lady for making a crack in the ceiling.
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Somewhere up there in the heavens, author and Citadel graduate Patrick Conroy is smiling.
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"Women are fully embraced here". Sure.
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Superb.
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Now let's hope that transgender women like me can get the right to at least apply to join the military.....
Being pregnant is just as costly to the military as a gender transition that a significant percentage of transgender people (like me) never get.
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she has earned it.
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Congrats to Cadet Zorn for this achievement. Like the appointment of Cadet Sorio to command the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M in 2016, the appointment was based on merit. I still look forward to the day when an event like this becomes commonplace and not a newsworthy event.
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Military leadership is about combat under fire, not parade ground academics. This is just another example of more cultural Marxism on the march, so it seems.
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In all respect, until you actually attend one of these schools you don't get why this is a huge accomplishment for the institution. Schools like the Citadel are still trying to fight the sexism that comes with this form of education. They aren't trying to speak for the military because for sure ROTC is nothing like the actual military, but the sexism that comes within military education. I think sexism within the military has diminished a lot more than any Senior Military College. They are not trying to reflect on the history that has been within these institutions. If you haven't look at either court cases of VMI or Citadel I recommend you do so. Then look at the true aftermath and abusive these women suffered. Then you can give an educated honest non Marxist opinion.
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Good luck Ms. Zorn!
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"average and are more likely to graduate then males"
than than than than than than than*
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With transgender military service a hot topic, I’ve been perusing the comment sections of articles that seem to pop up in my feed every other day. For most of them, there’s a consensus that it’s a bad idea. What I’ve noticed, though, is that the most hostile commenters are still stuck on LGB service and, believe it or not, the admission of women. They bring up familiar arguments—unit cohesion!—and what I’m assuming were, at the time, frequent prophesies of disaster brought somehow about by pregnancy, despite the fact that, as far as I know, such prophesies were never fulfilled.
Clearly, there’s still a vocal minority of service members who, in whispers if not aloud, share an anger that borders on rage. Mr. Paluso is right not to emphasize Ms. Zorn’s historic achievement; to the“Neanderthals,” it would simply confirm their fear than the military has surrendered to political correctness.
Which is why, as a gay man, I winced at the throwaway line about LGB “safe space” plaques. Safe spaces do not belong in a military setting. They reinforce an “us vs. them” mentality, publicly infantilize gay people, and perpetuate stereotypes about the supposed “fragility” and “femininity” of gay men in particular. Surely, there are more discreet ways for LGB and allied cadets to support one another without cordoning off parts of campus.
The military can be no less than a meritocracy. For that to work, women and LGB service members need to be viewed like everyone else.
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The female Sabras that helped to establish the State of Israel were no less respected and no less capable (other than for purely physical differences) than their male counterparts.
Why indeed should a qualified woman rise to a position of command at an institution such as the Citadel and why indeed should women of the age of majority register for a draft the same as men? Registering for military services does not (necessarily) mean that assignments in combat will follow. There are a zillion support positions that are critical in any situation of conflict.
As for Sarah Zorn - - - BRAVA!! And "You GO Girl!" And all other appropriate salutations!!
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This is a disgrace. If I were a male alumnus, I'd never again contribute to that school.
How can a male alumnus be threatened by the success of a female cadet at his alma mater? Hasn't he been toughened by years of service?
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I was an ROTC officer who was fortunate enough to serve under the battalion command of LTC Harvey M Dick, a 1954 grad of the Citadel and later the school's chief disciplinary officer and member of the Board of Regents. I felt I was a terrible young Lieutenant, but Colonel Dick introduced me to how an officer should conduct himself. I finally gathered up his invaluable tutoring only as a Captain in Vietnam. After that, I finally understood how critical tradition, integrity and unflinching obedience are for military officers. Frankly, I'd have been a much better officer if I'd attended this hide-bound institution Col. Dick so loved. He died in 2012, but I'll bet he'd have applauded Ms. Zorn's admirable achievement.
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9% is not impressive.
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Congratulations to Ms. Zorn, certainly an accomplished young woman, and to The Citadel for making progress since its very rocky beginning with gender integration back in 1995. But why not also point out progress in the other military academies including, at 199 years, the nation’s oldest private military academy, Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont. In 1974, it was the first to admit women into its Corps of Cadets (without pressure from the government or the courts), and has since named several women to the top command position in the Corps, Regimental Commander, including this year the first openly gay woman to hold the post. Last year, Norwich accepted the first woman allowed to wear a hijab with her uniform. As The Citadel has and will learn for itself, each of these milestones has made Norwich a better institution.
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Why? Because this story is not about military academies in general-- but it is about Cadet Zorn.
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I remember how in 1995, there were bumper stickers around the state that said SAVE THE MALES, as there was a lot of opposition to women attending The Citadel, a college supported by taxpayers, same as the University of South Carolina or Clemson. But women finally enrolled and graduated and the walls did not come crashing down. One reason for graduating from the Citadel is so the grad can wear the ring and be part of a network for jobs and other opportunities. Now women are a part of the network. I am delighted to see that a woman is leading the Corps of Cadets.
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As a state school, The Citadel seemingly had little choice.
And, then, there’s Douglass at NJ’s own RU; query why that does not make every feminist’s blood boil?
What about places like Smith – which won’t admit men unless they think they’re women? Bob Jones was denied a tax exemption because of its “racist” policies against inter-racial dating. How can these patently, obviously discriminatory, sexist schools, which exclude half the population, get that benefit?
If “having women here has even improved the college” at The Citadel, does it not follow that “having men” would improve Douglass?
Likely, every student at Mount Holyoke is both an avid supporter of the ERA and single sex education. But consistency has never been a feminist strong suit.
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Pretzel logic.
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Fortunately for her, she avoided the Air Force Academy.
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I hope I am wrong, but I bet this is politically motivated.
I am sure she deserves it. Anyway, a win is a win!
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When will Smith College start accepting men?
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When men-only colleges like Morehouse and Wabash start admitting women.
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Smith is a private school -- it doesn't accept taxpayer dollars for support.
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Congratulations to Ms. Zorn!
And to that small group that preferred not to be led by a woman: Get over it.
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Without questioning motives I'm curious to know if this ultimately a case of female cadets filling otherwise unfilled traditionally male slots with acceptance being a sort of financial option to an underlying existential crisis.
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Instead of casting shade upon her achievement, why don't you go and research it? You ARE questioning motives and with no reason to do so.
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this is a positive start. congratulations/
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Thank you NYT! It's refreshing to read about a woman Cadet Commander- instead of the plight of NFL Cheerleaders!
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There are currently 3 all-male colleges in the U.S. There are 36 all-female colleges in the U.S.. All-male colleges have been attacked as sexist, yet 12 times as many all-female colleges remain.
As for military schools going co-ed: With the understandable move toward gender equity in the armed forces, when will our 18-yr-old young women be forced to register for the draft along with our 18-yr-old young men?
There's no draft now, but if a man doesn't register, he is subject to criminal penalties, and to loss of eligibility for many state and federal grants, scholarships, and even jobs.
Why should only young men bear these burdens, along with the possible burden of being required to go to war?
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All of those colleges are private. The Citadel, however, is a state supported school.
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@Jojojojo: Great point- but you need to talk to your elected GOP members of Congress. They cringe whenever a woman enters the military. The antiquated GOP wants women in prairie dresses "piloting" a kitchen- not a fighter jet.
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Jojojo, this is not the place to demand women sig up for the draft. Go to your Congressman/Congresswoman if you truly want to see change in the law. And stop blaming women.
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What a difference 10 years makes. Much respect to the Citadel for its ability to change. Even more respect to the women that excel there. Well done, commander Zorn!
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This is a wonderful, hopeful piece. I only take exception with the fact that in too many cases of these firsts, the belief is that if one recognizes her/his role as a trailblazer and/or a "first," there's something wrong with that. There's something egotistical about it. Really? Is it truly impossible for one to humbly acknowledge being the first to accomplish something - particularly as a female? How is that immature? It's a subtle, yet powerful, hegemonic belief to insist otherwise. Young women need role models as much as young men do, and everyone ought to be allowed to be proud of herself/himself for significant accomplishments, even if - or perhaps even more so, when - those accomplishments involve breaking through a sex/gender/societal barrier.
Congratulations to Cadet Zorn, to the Citadel, and to all of those there working hard to change for the better.
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The Citadel is an unfortunate relic of the ugliest elements of the Old South. I say that as a person with Charleston roots and as the relative of someone who taught at the Citadel for decades.
This public "college" is still 78% white, a stunning percentage in this day and age. A despite this article about a female corps leader, 80% of the women who are admitted choose not to attend. (All data in this comment comes from the 2017 Citadel self-reported Common Data Set).
Frankly, only those who want to play military games but can't get into a military academy apply to the Citadel. Heck, a decent portion of the people who enroll would not be able to get in to the University of South Carolina (78% acceptance rate for the former, 65% for the latter).
While this article may attempt to describe progress, I think that this institution has far outlived any plausible cultural acceptability.
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Why would a woman apply and then not attend?
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The Citadel white %of 78% is virtually identical to that of the University of SC. The state demographics, and this is a state college, is 68% white. So they have room to improve. But it clearly is not stunning as you claim.
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Don't forget VMI, aka Virginia's Marching idiots.
I was at the Citadel in 1962 as a knob and even worse, a damnyankee. Those good ole boys were still fighting the War of Northern Aggression.
Over a half century later there is still a cadre of cadets who resist change. Me being a northerner then and Ms. Soren being female now.
The place is a relic of the bad old days.
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Congratulations to Ms. Zorn! Back in the 80's when the first female cadets entered the Citadel I sent comments to the college which were ignored. You have come a long way! In the 70's my Dad was president of the Citadel and brought in the first African American cadets. His name was General Hugh Harris and the football stadium was named for him.
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One thing I have always been impressed by is how often our military institutions, when they (finally?) decide to implement a major change reflecting changes in society, they do the nation proud by leading the way, and frankly, often setting the standard.
I do not think we should underestimate how fortunate we are to have the military traditions of duty and respect for command we have. The span of time from 1995 to today is not that long, and The Citadel should be proud of how it has squared away this matter.
Military institutions by nature are fearsome things, and not every country is as fortunate as we are. Kudos to The Citadel, and to Cadet Zorn, and to her fellow cadets, of all genders, races, and creeds. May you always lead the way.
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Please know that the Citadel is not part of the national military. It is the college of the state militia of South Carolina. Big difference.
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Impressive. And I know this article isn't about the military but I have to say I have more respect for the "grunts" on the front lines than I do for the officers who lead them. They've signed up to endanger their lives for causes unknown (at this point) and do so mostly to escape structural poverty back home that could be fixed by a more generous safety net, better schools with higher paid teachers, etc.
In a traditional war against a national army, I'm sure our officers would be worth their mettle but for the past 20 years now we've fought a futile ground war just to (hopefully) maintain the status quo. That's a burden that falls disproportionately on the soldiers on the ground, outside of the high walls of the base.
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Well said.
It's surprising for me to read that only a third of the school's grads go on to serve their country in the military. Of course the statistic likely includes graduates who do not go through the military cadet program. Another number that interests me is the tuition for the cadets who pay a relatively high amount to attend a military school - and who then do serve their country at the low pay grade for a second lieutenant. Maybe there really are still some young people who subscribe to the belief: Duty, Honor, Country (and that also goes for those who serve in the Peace Corps).
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I served as an officer and started as a second lieutenant. The pay is more than fair for a single person right out of college, especially given that you have free housing and food, and health care. There is also the utility of serving ones country, and some people derive value from that, some do not. I did. And that training and experience put me far ahead of my peers when it came to leaving the military and joining the civilian work force. There is massive present value for that element. It's not all about the present.
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Yes, there are many young people who do not have money as their primary goal in life, particularly girls. I said it. Just my impression.
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@R.Anderson: The Citadel, although a "military" academy, is hardly WEST POINT, ANNAPOLIS or the AIR FORCE ACADEMY. But it's a great place to make social, business and political connections. That's why! Hardly a secret!
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Regimental Commander Sarah Zorn: You go girl! And congratulations!
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