Annapolis Naval Academy expected women to blend in and become invisible if possible. Needless to say, the Air Force Academy's plan worked best, with its intentional plan for a smooth transition. In all of the schools, however, early classes of women were treated harshly. Male cadets made it a contest to see who could be the first to make a woman cry, and the woman who did cry was considered by other cadets to be further unsuited for the academy. Sexist remarks and condemnations were routine for the female cadets.
Service academies are tough at best, with rigorous athletic, military and academic requirements.
With their added difficulties, it is impressive that there were women who did manage to graduate from the first classes at each of the three academies. Women who graduate from the academies have always been remarkable scholars and soldiers. In the first years following their admission to the academies women were not allowed to pursue career paths that involved combat, but that restriction has since been lifted. The first class of women graduated in 1980. Inc. PageWise makes no representations about the content published on this site.