FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO LEAD WEST POINT CADETS

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, said.

As first captain, Askew is responsible for the overall performance of the Corps of Cadets. Her duties include implementing a class agenda and acting as a liaison between the cadets and the administration.