<p>I disagree on physical standards. While I think they should be more difficult with what they are now, I understand that mother nature did build females differently. Which is why something like sit-ups is graded the same as guys, but pull-ups are not.</p>
<p>True, but isn't the best thing for the military and this country to have the smartest, fittest, and strongest people for the job? It's not about us, it's about the country. And while it wouldn't be fair to females, it would be beneficial to the mission. I feel that by going to the academy there is a much greater cause than my own benefit, despite the apparent benefits I will be receiving. I often have doubts of not being worthy of my appointment but I then realize that I am going to have to make myself worthy.</p>
<p>This is my female perspective.
I run more than twenty miles a week. My friend, who is a boy, runs less than fifteen. His mile time still trumps mine by more than two minutes. Do I work harder than he does? Yes, no doubt. He will tell you that too. Will I ever be able to beat his 4:30 mile? Probably not. If he wanted to join the military, is he going to be a better officer than I will because he has a faster mile time? I don't think so.</p>
<p>Also, this is why females do not go into special operations or similar jobs. So, I think the compensation is there. Many females are great fighter pilots and such. Major Malachowski of the T-birds being a great example.</p>
<p>Well, you those are great points bluemer and hornetguy. You have me there! I suppose I can be just as good of an officer and pilot as guys can.</p>
<p>Another female perspective:
I totally back what bluemer said. I work out just as hard if not harder than most of the guys I know. But when it's race day, they can beat me hands down simply because of the different physical builds that men and women have. However, we have our own attributes to offer.</p>
<p>Here, here. Honestly, if women had the same physical standards as the men in applying to the Academy, I know for sure I wouldn't be going. The Academy would be about 2% women instead of 20. Women should be held to the utmost standards of excellence, but a woman doesn't necessarily have to be able to do 20 consecutive pullups alongside her male colleagues in order to make a great officer. Trim the fat, yes. But I think it would be interesting to see if the ratio of men to women consigned to that category is similar to that of the entire cadet wing.</p>
<p>And as far as affirmative action goes...I think the Academy should make more of an effort to incorporate redheads into the cadet wing. I'm a total minority. haha :) Kidding, of course. The most qualified all-around candidates should be selected for admissions, and I think we all would agree on that. But at the same time you could parallel a minority quota with the quota that is associated with each state and district. Sometimes a less qualified candidate from a less competitive region will get admitted over someone with a stellar application from say, California. It's never going to be perfect, and there are bound to be people who slip through the cracks. But overall, I think the demographics at the Academy are exceptional, and the admissions board does a good job at determining who deserves to earn the honor of becoming a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force and who doesn't. We were told at orientation that 2011 was the most competitive class the admissions panel has ever reviewed, and we should all be honored to be able to have the opportunity to become cadets and officers. :) Congratulations to all 2011ers! GOLD!!!</p>
<p>Im not sure how all this is going to work out...But while I was out there for my recruiting trip for lax (obviously I was the only minority..lol) I saw many other recruits and they were mostly minorities. I have talked with many of them and we are all headed to the prep school. So wouldnt the recruits who end up at the P still count on the list of minority recruits?</p>
<p>lol. They must say the same thing every year. Each time they say, "this class is the most competitive so far." Cracks me up when academics are at a 20 year low right now!</p>
<p>for affirmative action:</p>
<p>race takes its place in certain parts of the process. First, everyone wrote an essay on a time they faced diversity. if someone is considered a minority, then he will have a much stronger essay. also, the ALO must write a recomendation, and anything of that sort can be reflected in that essay also.</p>
<p>as far as the double standard for women, certain things like pull-ups should be kept separate. but things like the AFT are way too uneven</p>
<p>I always laughed when they said that during Basic "You are the best class to ever come to the Academy...and you will be the best to leave".</p>
<p>yeah. thats always great. and we'll be the best to elave cause they lead better than the previous classes</p>
<p>it's true though...we will be the "best class" to enter..but then our grades will show that we are "the worst academic class" to be there (though it may just be showing that the academic program that the academy has is slipping)...but once we graduate...back to being the best</p>
<p>(totally kidding by the way, they say this about every class)</p>
<p>I can see standards being somewhat diffferent from men and women due to obvious physical differences. Those standards should be equally hard for each gender, relatively speaking. I think what Ben may be alluding to is what happens next. If they treat men and women differently who don't meet those standards (which are properly different) THEN there truly is a double standard (pardon the pun) and THAT is totally unfair. I think you would all agree with this. And yet, I get the sense that men and women who fail their own standards are perhaps treated differently. That's unfair to the men AND the women who work so hard to pass their tests.</p>
<p>why isnt Asian considered a minority?</p>
<p>What makes you think it isn't?</p>
<p>Universities use terms such as "underrepresented minority" in certain cases. they feel it's necessary because some US graduate schools are already 75% Asian students. Someday maybe we'll all grow up and refer to ourselves as people.</p>
<p>LOL We do already, but in our own language. LOL</p>