Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
West Point cadets’ leader makes history
Simone Askew marched into history Monday as the first black woman to lead the Long Gray Line at the U.S. Military Academy.
WEST POINT, N.Y. — Simone Askew marched into history Monday as the first black woman to lead the Long Gray Line at the U.S. Military Academy.
After an early morning 12-mile march back to the gray stone academic complex with 1,200 new cadets she led through the rigors of basic training at “Beast Barracks,” the 20-year-old international history major from Fairfax, Va., assumed duties as first captain of the 4,400-member Corps of Cadets. That’s the highest position in the cadet chain of command at West Point.
“It’s humbling, but also exciting as I step into this new opportunity to lead the corps to greatness with my teammates with me,” a beaming Askew, still in camouflage fatigues from her march, told reporters.
As first captain, Askew is responsible for the overall performance of the Corps of Cadets. Her duties also include implementing a class agenda and acting as a liaison between the cadets and the administration.
“Simone truly exemplifies our values of Duty, Honor, Country,” said Brig. Gen. Steven Gilland, commandant of cadets.
“I can’t believe this has happened in my lifetime,” said Pat Locke, one of two African-American women in the first class of women to graduate from West Point in 1980. “When I entered the Academy in 1976, the men did not want us there. Now 40 years later, everybody recognizes the talent and skills women bring.”
Gen. Vincent Brooks, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, was West Point’s first African-American first captain in 1979. The first female captain, in 1989, was Col. Kristin Baker, now commander of the Analytic Center of the Joint Intelligence Operations Center Europe.
Women make up about 20 percent of cadets, who are usually commissioned as first lieutenants in the Army upon graduation.