<p>I was surprised to see this thread pop up again, as it's been a while since it was orginally posted. If any female is interested in coming to KP and wants the current female's opinion please send me a private message, and I can get as many as you want to respond. These will be all classes, all types of females, and all current students at Kings Point. A female at Kings Point, a current student, and all different personalities, and abilities in sports will give you a broad picture of what life is like at Kings Point NOW for females.</p>
<p>I don't even know where to start... except to say that I've never come across such a passionate negative debate offered by anyone against women's service in the military or USMMA as those offered here by KPNOTFORME. I'm also amazed that after 20 years her passion is still so intense - her selection of screen-name says a lot.</p>
<p>I hope that all KP hopefulls, especially female ones follow this thread - for better or worse and offer their own experiences someday. And, since so many have chipped in their two cents here is mine, both as a Kings Pointer (not much junior to KPNOTFORME) and as a career military officer... </p>
<p>KPNOTFORME attended the service academies at a different time. In the late 1980s/early 1990s women were not fully integrated into the military - the combat exclusion law was lifted in 1991 (I believe), women did not attend Citadel and there was a great deal of "good 'ol boy" mentality left around. </p>
<p>Times have changed...</p>
<p>During the brief period when KPNOTFORME was a midshipmen - women could not serve as line officers on warships, they could not fly tactical aircraft, only a few US merchant ships were commanded by women, and to my knowledge there was only one female harbor pilot in the Merchant Marine (she was a very big deal - lots of stories and books). As I write this from my post overseas in the navy where 1/3 of my operations officers are female and the Strike Group Air Defense Commander (Commanding Officer of the Guided Missile Cruiser COWPENS) is a female - it is hard to believe that all of this has occurred in 20 years - but it has. And, what is even more amazing is that we don't even keep tabs on how many females are in command of merchant ships anymore - that used to be a big deal - now it is like... so what?</p>
<p>About two years ago, the US Naval Institute did an article in PROCEEDINGS about women in the navy and they asked the senior female admiral at the time when she thought women will have "made it" in the service. While I can't remember her name, I do remember her response... "When people stop asking me that question".</p>
<p>So, after collecting my thoughts... here is my advice to any young woman who wants to attend KP or any other academy... DO IT - WE NEED YOU!!!!! We need your service, we need your perspective, we need your experiences!!!!! Young female sailors and junior officers need your leadership!!!!</p>
<p>It will not be easy. You will be challenged and tested in ways that men aren't. But this is not a bad thing. Everyone is tested differently and everyone gets a different experience. And, that experience sets you up for life - where there are no rules. So, I can't say if your test will be easier or harder than the next guy, or girl.</p>
<p>I will say this… You will not find any organization that goes out of its way to make things more than fair and judge everyone by the same standard than you will in a military institution like the service academies today.
What KPNOTFORME fails to articulate is that men need to be tested too - part of their growth at KP (or any Academy for that matter) will be to learn how to work with women as peers... and not just women – KP is a melting pot - how to work with different races, religions, creeds, beliefs - etc. And, I don't mean learning to work with girls like in high school (the perspective most of our plebes candidates are accustomed to), but learning to work with women as sisters in arms. The Academy is designed as a transition period between childhood and adulthood, between being a civilian and becoming an officer, a layperson and a professional - and young people will make mistakes...</p>
<p>Looking back, I was bigoted as a Plebe - macho guy wants to play warrior... then I was schooled by women (every day feminine female midshipmen) who were smarter than I was, handled ships better than I could, ran faster than me... By the time I graduated there was no "them", there was just "us". None of us could make it though a lone – and I relied on my female classmates as much as I did the men. There are no "female Kings Pointers" in my class - just "Kings Pointers".</p>
<p>I could not imagine a workplace today in the navy without women. Fortunately, KPNOTFORME's time is past - 20 year is a long time. Bad things still happen - but they happen everywhere - and to a much greater degree in civilian institutions. This does not excuse bad behavior - that must be corrected and it is.</p>
<p>So is KP easier for men - may be, may be not. Will female midshipmen be challenged in ways men are not - yes, most definitely. And, that will prepare them to be leaders - YES, leaders of men and women.</p>
<p>So if you are a young female - interested in attending KP and you read all of KPNOTFORME's posts... good, she offers her insight. My advice is to say, "noted" and move on. You don't solve any of these problems by being a quitter so "go for it" - we need you!</p>
<p>V/r
USMMECOM
[url=<a href="http://www.cafepress.com/USMMAonline%5DKPStore%5B/url">http://www.cafepress.com/USMMAonline]KPStore[/url</a>]</p>
<p>USMME..wow thanks for the post! Well said.</p>
<p>I liked you before usmmecom, but I really like you now -- excellent post. I have 3 female 1C mids coming to my house tonight and I'll ask them their experience so far and see if I can post something from them. By the way, I don't have a female at KP, but a son.</p>
<p>One of my son's best friends at KP is a female 3C. This girl is top notch. I cannot say enough about her. At any rate, she was not aware of CC, so I asked her to read this thread and render her opinion. I have attached it below. If anyone wants to take her up on her offer, P/M me and I'll have her touch base. Here is her response:</p>
<p>i read the discussion and i have to say that my initial reaction was frustration. as a girl who has not only been to kp but has also been to sea i can say that i dont feel that way about kp at all. i have become a firm believer that life is what you make of it and kp is no different. i am glad that the mothers set the comments straight. i, hate to say this, love kp. i feel like if anything i know more than most girls do about guys and have made great friendships. i have never felt threatened at kp and feel like if anything i have to work harder than the guys. as far as girls getting easier than the guys i think it seems that way because the admissions does want more girls to come so therefore they petition them more and baby them through the system more but the standards are definitely the same and in my case my numbers, like SAT and such, were much higher than the guys. i hope that helps give you idea of how i feel about being a girl at kp, and as always i am willing to talk to you or anyone else about my experience whenever.</p>
<p>Thanks for that....</p>
<p>My daughter and I are going for a visit later this month.... she has an appt.</p>
<p>jcollins~ WONDERFUL! and if you have any questions at all now or afterwards, please P/M me and I'll connect you to my KP friend. Good luck!!!!</p>
<p>The tri state parents meeting will be next Saturday in Philadelphia, PA at Noon. My Plebe along with other Mids will be there to answer questions for the candidates. We went last year and found it very helpful. The parents and the kids were great! I highly recommend it.</p>
<p>I agree with nmlcfp...the Tri States Parents Association-NJ, PA, DE-will be meeting in Philadelphia on Saturday, 3/14, and it is a very supportive and active organization. If you are able to attend, it will be a very informative meeting and the candidates will be able to meet some of the plebes and midshipmen that currently attend. My DD attends KP and is looking forward to sharing her thoughts and experiences. See you all on Saturday!</p>
<p>oops... I guess I should of finished my sentence.. </p>
<p>she has an appt to USMMA prep.</p>