Dateline: West Point, January 5, 2016

2016 is the decennial anniversary of women’s admittance to West Point. Fittingly, the year began with a historic moment for women. Brigadier General Diana Holland, USMA Class of 1990, became the first woman Commandant of Cadets at West Point on 5 January. Lieutenant General Robert Caslen described Diana’s assumption of command as the latest milestone for West Point Women. What LTG Caslen didn’t say was that the best officer was selected for the position and BG Holland just happened to be a woman.

A prophetic yearbook entry for the new Commandant? 

The Superintendent also mentioned other recent historic events, including LTG Nadja West who became the 44th Surgeon General of the Army in December. She is the Army’s first African American Surgeon General and the first West Point woman grad to wear 3 stars. He also cited the three West Point women grads who earned their Ranger tabs in 2015. A woman grad also joined NASA’s astronaut corps last year.

Women first entered West Point in 1976 and a conference commemorating 40 years of women at West Point will take place April 28-30.