Far left: current male cover. Center left: possible alternation. Center right: current female cover. Far right: …
Crank up the defibrillator: The New York Post is having a coronary over what it says is "Obama's plan" to sissify the United States Marines.
"A change to the Marine Corps' uniform hats could take the hard-nosed
Leathernecks from the Halls of Montezuma to the shops of Christopher Street," gasps the tabloid
in what it calls an "exclusive" article headlined "Obama wants marines
to wear 'girly' hats." Christopher Street is a snarky reference to the
historical and symbolic center of gay life in New York City.
The
Post goes on to claim that "officials are on the verge of swapping out
the Marines' iconic caps…with a new version that some have derided as so
'girly' that they would make the French blush." Hats aside, from the
derisive tone and language, clearly someone doesn't think that either
gays or women are tough enough to serve, not to mention the insult to
the entire nation of France and our commander in chief, who has nothing
to do with this decision.
What the Post does get right is that the Uniform Board
is currently seeking feedback from both active-duty members and
reservists on whether or not to adopt a universal cover (that's a hat to
us civilians). A Marines spokesperson told Yahoo Shine that the Corps
periodically reviews uniforms and recommends changes. The options would
be either a slightly modified version of the current male cover or a
topper with a smaller crown — dubbed the "Dan Daly cap" after a World
War I hero, Sgt Maj. Daniel Joseph Daly — which is more similar to the
cover currently worn by women. Daly, who twice won the military's
highest award for bravery, the Medal of Honor, famously led the charge
on German troops in the 1918 Battle of Belleau Woods
with the cry, "Come on, you sons of bitches, do you want to live
forever?" Voting ends on Friday, and the Uniform Board will convene on
Oct. 29 to consider the results.
However, similar doesn't have to
mean identical. The reality is that, generally speaking, men and women
have different physiques. In an editorial for Time magazine, former naval officer Darlene M. Iskra wrote, "I have no qualms about female sailors wearing the cracker-jack [classic Navy] uniform,
but let's not forget that women have bumps and curves in places where
males do not. Tailor the jumper tops to accommodate the female body.
It's not being exhibitionist…it's being realistic. When someone feels
good and looks good, they will act accordingly."
What makes sense is letting the
soldiers speak for themselves about whether or not to adopt a more
unisex appearance — which is what the Uniform Board appears to be doing
in the case of the hat options. This seems particularly important for
the Marines, for whom appearance is deeply important. "Tradition is more
than just a word to the Marine Corps. It's honestly what separates us
from the other branches of military," a sergeant who preferred to remain
anonymous told Yahoo Shine. "Tradition ties directly to appearance, how
an individual Marine
looks in or out of their uniforms." Another Marine, former staff
sergeant Andre Cato, agreed, "It seems absurd to change the cover. As
far as tradition goes, we go way back and it's a very big value." He
added, "Females are perfectly happy with their uniform, as are males. It
would be like trying to fix something that's not broken."
And in the unlikely event that
the Uniform Board decides to change to a unisex hat? Let's recall Daly
himself. His so-called girly hat didn't diminish his bravery or bluster
one bit.
US Military May Grant Gay Members Special 10-Day Leave to Marry
Gay soldiers could be given an extra 10 days leave so they can
get married in a state that allows same-sex unions, under new proposals
from defense secretary Chuck Hagel.
The new rules would replace earlier proposals to give limited benefits
to same-sex couples through a system that would require a couple to
declare they were committed to one another to receive limited benefits. Editor's Note: Weird Trick Adds $1,000 to Your Social Security Checks
Hagel's new proposals would also extend housing and health care benefits
to same-sex spouses of members of the military, but while those
proposals merely give gays the same benefits as straight members of the
military, the gay marriage travel leave would give them extra time-off
not available to others.
The proposal was outlined in a draft memo from Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, that was obtained by the Associated Press.
"As the Supreme Court's ruling has made it possible for same-sex couples
to marry and be afforded all benefits available to any military spouse
and family, I have determined, consistent with the unanimous advice of
the members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, that the spousal and family
benefits far outweigh the benefits that could be extended under a
declaration system," Hagel wrote, according to AP.
Without the declaration system, Hagel reasons provisions should be made
to allow same-sex partners to obtain legal unions and hence the full set
of federal benefit to which they would now be entitled. To achieve
that he proposes granting gay partners up to 10 days of leave to get
married in a state that legalizes the practice.
"Although we have bases and installations in all 50 states, not all
state laws are equal when it comes to same-sex marriage," a defense
official told AP. "That is why we are looking at providing extra leave
for same-sex couples who want to get married to travel to a state where
same-sex marriages are legal."
The memo is currently under legal review by the Justice Department and the Pentagon, according to AP.
Pentagon officials would not comment on the specifics of the memo. A
Defense Department spokesman, Lt. Cmdr. Nate Christensen, told the AP
only that the Pentagon "is working alongside the Department of Justice
to implement the court's decision as quickly as possible."
In February, then-Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced that by no
later than Oct. 1 the Pentagon would extend some limited benefits to
same-sex partners of service members. Housing benefits were not
included, but the plans called for same-sex partners to get special
identification cards granting them access to commissaries and other
services.
The benefits would be contingent on the service member and his or her
same-sex partner signing a declaration that they were in a committed
relationship.
At the time, officials said that if the Supreme Court ruled on the
federal Defense of Marriage Act, the issue would be revisited. The act
prohibited the federal government from recognizing any marriage other
than that between a man and a woman.
In late June, the court cleared the way for legally married gay couples
to be recognized under federal law and also allowed same-sex marriages
in California to resume. It did not issue any sweeping declarations that
would allow same-sex couples to marry anywhere in the country.
When the ruling was announced, Hagel said the Pentagon would reassess
the department's decisions on benefits for same-sex couples and also
begin the process of extending benefits to same-sex spouses of military
members.
In the new draft memo, Hagel says the department intends to treat all
married military personnel the same and "make the same benefits
available to all military spouses, regardless of sexual orientation."
But, recognizing that same-sex couples are only allowed to marry in a
limited number of states, Hagel said the provision allowing service
members to travel to states where the unions are legal is a way to help
overcome those challenges. Urgent: Supreme Court Right on Gay Marriage? Vote Here Now
Defense officials estimate there are 18,000 same-sex couples in the
active-duty military, National Guard and Reserves. It's unclear how many
of those are married.
The repeal of the ban on openly gay military service took effect in September 2011.
Oval
Office event April 19, 2013 at the White House in Washington, DC. the
obama regime executive order keep Navy women on submarines until there service is up.
AP/ December 21, 2011, 4:18 PM
2 women share 1st kiss at US Navy ship's return
Petty
Officer 2nd Class Marissa Gaeta, left, kisses her girlfriend of two
years, Petty Officer 3rd Class Citlalic Snell at Joint Expeditionary
Base Little Creek in Virginia Beach, Va., Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2011 after
Gaeta's ship returned from 80 days at sea. /Brian J. Clark,AP Photo/The Virginian-Pilot
VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia - A Navy
tradition caught up with the repeal of the U.S. military's "don't ask,
don't tell" rule on Wednesday when two women sailors became the first to
share the coveted "first kiss" on the pier after one of them returned
from 80 days at sea. Petty Officer 2nd Class Marissa
Gaeta of Placerville, California, descended from the USS Oak Hill
amphibious landing ship and shared a quick kiss in the rain with her
partner, Petty Officer 3rd Class Citlalic Snell of Los Angeles. Gaeta,
23, wore her Navy dress uniform while Snell, 22, wore a black leather
jacket, scarf and blue jeans. The crowd screamed and waved flags around
them. "It's something new, that's for sure," Gaeta told
reporters after the kiss. "It's nice to be able to be myself. It's been a
long time coming." For the historical significance of
the kiss, there was little to differentiate it from countless others
when a Navy ship pulls into its home port following a deployment.
Neither the Navy nor the couple tried to draw attention to what was
happening and many onlookers waiting for their loved ones to come off
the ship were busy talking among themselves. David Bauer,
the commanding officer of the USS Oak Hill, said that Gaeta and Snell's
kiss would largely be a non-event and the crew's reaction upon learning
who was selected to have the first kiss was positive. "It's
going to happen and the crew's going to enjoy it. We're going to move
on and it won't overshadow the great things that this crew has
accomplished over the past three months," Bauer said. The
ship returned to Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story
following an 80-day deployment to Central America. The crew of more than
300 participated in exercises involving the militaries of Honduras,
Guatemala Colombia and Panama as part of Amphibious-Southern Partnership
Station 2012. Both women are Navy fire controlmen, who
maintain and operate weapons systems on ships. They met at training
school where they were roommates and have been dating for two years,
which they said was difficult under "don't ask, don't tell." "We
did have to hide it a lot in the beginning," Snell said. "A lot of
people were not always supportive of it in the beginning, but we can
finally be honest about who we are in our relationship, so I'm happy." Navy
officials said it was the first time on record that a same-sex couple
was chosen to kiss first upon a ship's return. Sailors and their loved
ones bought $1 raffle tickets for the opportunity. Gaeta
said she bought $50 of tickets, a figure that she said pales in
comparison to amounts that some other sailors and their loved ones had
bought. The money was used to host a Christmas party for the children of
sailors. Snell said she believes their experience won't be the last one for gays and lesbians in the military. "I
think that it's something that is going to open a lot of doors, for not
just our relationship, but all the other gay and lesbian relationships
that are in the military now," she said. Snell is based
on the USS Bainbridge, the guided missile destroyer that helped rescue
cargo captain Richard Phillips from Somali pirates in 2009.
Petty
Officer 2nd Class Marissa Gaeta, left, kisses her girlfriend of two
years, Petty Officer 3rd Class Citlalic Snell at Joint Expeditionary
Base Little Creek in Virginia Beach, Va., Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2011 after
Gaeta's ship returned from 80 days at sea.
Kimberly Guilfoyle -What
a crappy week to be a liberal. You get smoked on gun control, and
now families are holed up in their homes in Boston scared of the Muslim
Terrorist who is capable of real harm, while many homeowners are UNARMED
and unable to DEFEND their families. Next, they want to ram immigration
down our throats but these foreign born Marathon TERRORISTS are
screwing things up for the Free Love Woodstock "Let'm all In" crowd!
Finally, the Massachesetts Libs are getting a first hand look at what
home searches feel like. Under Obie Communism, get used to it! Ahhhh,
soon Obamacare fully kicks in. WAIT! One of the authors of Obamacare,
Montana Sen. Max Baucus (D) just ADMITTED Wednesday that its going to be
a 'train wreck'! BAM! Sux to be YOU guys :) ~~Seano
Gender Pay Gap Report: Women Managers Still Lag Behind Men
Sept. 28, 2010
Women make up nearly half of America's workforce but the number of
females in management positions and their corresponding pay still lags
behind that of their male counterparts, according to a new government
report.
The U.S.Government Accountability Office
report, "Women in Management: Analysis of Female Managers'
Representation, Characteristics, and Pay," released today found that
little has changed for women in the workforce when it comes to
compensation.
Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney. D-N.Y., and chair of the Joint Economic
Committee, commissioned the report and is holding a congressional
hearing today to discuss its findings.
"What is most startling to me is how little progress we've made even
though there's a bright spot in that more women are gaining education,
we're closing the education gap but we're not closing the pay gap,"
Maloney said.
Although there are more women represented across several industries, the
number of women managers only increased by 1 percent -- from 39 percent
in 2000 to 40 percent in 2007.
Women in non-managerial roles remained at 49 percent of the workforce.
The report analyzed 13 industries from construction to health care and
looked at the pay gap between female and male managers. The factors used
in determining the salary levels included age, hours worked and
education.
Although the pay gap for female managers shrank by two cents from 2000
to 2007, female managers now only earn 81 cents for every dollar earned
by their male counterparts compared to 79 cents in 2000.
For the first time, the report also looked at working mothers in management.
Working manager moms earned 79 cents for every dollar in comparison to working manager dads -- unchanged since 2000.
Education and Consumer Spending
In addition to examining the pay gap between female and male managers,
the GAO report found that more women are earning college and graduate
degrees.
The number of working women aged 25 to 64 with college degrees nearly tripled during the years 1970 to 2008.
But the report also found that female managers on average in 2007 were
younger, more likely to work part-time and had less education than male
managers.
Married women managers, on average, contribute 55 percent of their
families' total wages -- which is below male managers who bring in 75
percent of household income.
However, women are major contributors to the economy and "they make
major consumer decisions," according to Ellen Galinsky, president and
co-founder of the nonprofit center, Family and Work Institute.
"So the prejudices that exist are based on ideas that exist from another
time another time, another kind of economy, another type of family life
that don't exist today," she said.
Paycheck Fairness Act: Fair or Unnecessary?
While the GAO report highlighted some of the key areas where women lag
behind in the workforce, a piece of legislation backed by President
Barack Obama aims to help level the pay playing field by making it less
complicated for women to sue employers for unequal pay.
Passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2009, the Paycheck Fairness Act would "lose loopholes that have allowed many employers to avoid responsibility for discriminatory pay."
The act failed to pass in the Senate but is expected to be revisited in a future vote.
Gender Pay Gap Report: Women Managers Still Lag Behind Men
In an editorial
in the Washington Post last week, Valerie Jarrett a senior advisor and
assistant to President Obama for intergovernmental affairs, supported
the act because she said it gives women "the tools they need to obtain
equal pay for equal work."
Jarrett wrote: "Pay equity is an issue of fairness not just for women
but also for employers who comply with the law and pay employees what
they deserve. The current system rewards businesses that embrace
sex-based pay discrimination as a cost-cutting measure and encourages a
race to the bottom. The will right this wrong by rewarding businesses
that set high standards and value their employees rather than taking
advantage of them."
However, not everyone agrees that the "fair pay" is actually "equal pay."
Christina Hoff Sommers, a resident scholar at American Enterprise Institute, wrote in an editorial
in the New York Times last week that the "Paycheck Fairness bill would
set women against men, empower trial lawyers and activists, perpetuate
falsehoods about the status of women in the workplace and create havoc
in a precarious job market."
Sommers wrote that the act is flawed and "the problem is that while the
debate proceeds, the bill assumes the answer: it would hold employers
liable for the 'lingering effects of past discrimination' — 'pay
disparities' that have been 'spread and perpetuated through commerce.'
Under the bill, it's not enough for an employer to guard against
intentional discrimination; it also has to police potentially
discriminatory assumptions behind market-driven wage disparities that
have nothing to do with sexism."
ABC News' Claire Shipman, Sarah Kunin, Daniel Arnall and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Filipino Proud – US Air Force F-16 Jet Fighter Pilot is a Filipina
August 22, 2015
MANILA, Philippines – In the intense field of military pilots where male rules preeminence, a valiant 33-year-old Filipino lady descent, beat the chances to turn into the first Filipina to fly the supersonic F-16 fighting Falcon fighter jet that carried combat missions in Iraq as an individual from the United States Air Force (USAF).
F16Taxying
F-16 Fighter Jet Taxying
The F-16 Fighting Falcon or most commonly known as the “Viper” is a state-of-the- art fighter aircraft. It has been a high-performance weapon system for the US and allied nations for it has been used in numerous air-to-air combats. This specific aircraft has exceeded all the potential threat fighter air crafts. Its feature as an offense-defense weapon is very precise that it can perform on any weather condition. This kind of plane is a complicated device meant to be handled by highly qualified pilots. The F-16 or the Viper has played vital roles in most of America ’s wars with the most recent being in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. An F-16 fighter plane is what Monessa Catuncan navigates.
Capt. Monessa Catuncan was highlighted by the Asian Journal for her exceptional accomplishments as a pilot of an F-16 fighter jet. She is the youngest daughter of Filipino immigrants Mr. & Mrs. Ramon Catuncan, formerly lives in Pasay City and Olongapo City but now situated in Mesquite, Texas.
MonessaCatuncan F16 fighter pilot
But before Monessa even set foot to the elite US Air Force, this humble Pinay, like almost everybody else earned her way to success.
“I think I want to be an astronaut,” her father Ramon Catuncan recalled her saying after she saw “Armageddon” while a sophomore at the Mesquite High School.
“I told her it would require a lot of hard work to realize her ambition but she told me that would not deter her,” he said.
He said her daughter’s favorite foods are adobo, afritada, and kare-kare.
Indeed, even in her initial years in school, Monessa exceeded expectations in scholastics, graduating valedictorian in a class of 693 at Mesquite High School in Texas in 2000.
Catuncan said that while his daughter was still in high school she caught the attention of the Coast Guard, who invited her in 1999 to Connecticut to interest her in becoming a Coast Guard helicopter pilot.
Monessa went to Connecticut for about two weeks to check out the Coast Guard but in the end, she said she was not interested in flying helicopters. She wanted to be a fixed wing pilot.
After graduating at the top of her high school class in Dallas County, Texas, Monessa enrolled at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs and majored in aeronautical engineering.
Like all of her colleagues, Monessa went through an Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) before becoming a fighter pilot. However, she didn’t just pass her UPT – she excelled in it.
That same year. While at USAFA, Monessa, aside from pursuing her desired career as part of the US Air Force, served as a Squadron Commander, a Division-1 tennis player, a Glider Instructor Pilot, and a member of the Glider Acrobatic Team, among other essential positions. In 2004, Monessa graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Astronautical Engineering from the USAFA.
Monessa proved herself and finished the course as one of the top student pilots in her class. She was then chosen to fly either a fighter or a bomber aircraft. After her course at Moody Air Force, she went to Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio, Texas and Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls to fly the T-38. In her training there, Monessa learned the basics of formation flying, offensive and defensive fighter maneuvering, and surface attack bombing techniques. Monessa went through intense studying and was put in a variety of stressful situations in order to pass this training.
From flying T- 38, she had an option of choosing from different aircraft like the F-15E Strike Eagle, F-15C Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, B-1B Lancer, A-10 Warthog, B-52 Stratofortress, and F/A-22 Raptor, and T-6 or T-38 are also options. After her T-38 course, Monessa requested to fly an F-16 Falcon, and she got what she wanted.
Monessa went through with her training to hone her skill at maneuvering fighter jets at Luke Air Force Base in Phoenix, Arizona where she learned how to control and apply tactics of the F-16 Fighter Falcon, or Viper. Monessa finished her course at Luke Air Force Base with flying colors and was part of the “Lucky number 13” graduate from class 2007. She was the only woman in her group, not to mention the only Filipino to pass the much-coveted pilot course.
She was commissioned as a USAF second lieutenant in 2004 and after training as an F-16 jet pilot was sent to Iraq with the 34th Fighter Squadron to support US ground troops in close air support missions.
Early this year she was promoted to captain and assigned at Hill Air Force Base in northern Utah, about 30 miles (48 km) north of Salt Lake City, Utah.
As the first Filipina descent to fly the F-16, Capt. Catuncan “also carries the Philippine flag in her heart and the pride of the country it represents and the people in it.”
The US Air Force is an elite organization and to a pilot, an F-16 fighter plane is a prized possession. Monessa, through her perseverance and hard work, has earned not only the fly the F-16 but also the pride and honor of defending the United States, as well as making the Filipinos proud. – Jason E.
______________________________
The First Filipina to fly the F-16 of the elite US Air Force
— September 1, 2015 What men do, women also can.” This notion is common when talking about women empowerment. Well, another Filipina woman has proved this right again.
Thirty-three year-old Capt. Monessa
Catuncan, a former resident in Pasay City and Olongapo City in the
Philippines was recently recognized by the Asian Journal for her
phenomenal performance of flying United States’ F-16 Fighter Plane. The
said plane was described to be a “state-of-the-art” aircraft by Manila Wire. Capt. Catuncan was the first Filipina
to earn the privilege and honor to fly the said fighter plane commonly
called “Viper”. The Viper was not just an ordinary plane as it has been
used in many air-combats and has been one of US’ superb planes that
fought during wars. It has been considered as a high-performance weapon
for the US and allied nations for it was able to transcend other known
aircrafts. Its weapons can even still be precisely used even under bad
weather conditions. The Viper was carrying combat
missions in Iraq as a representative from the United States Air Force
(USAF). The fact that the plane was too complicated meant that only
excellent and and equipped pilots are allowed to handle it; Capt.
Catuncan, being one. Before getting where she is now,
Capt. Catuncan also dreamed and made her way to success just like
anybody else. While still in her second year in at Mesquite High School,
Texas, Catuncan was inspired to become an astronaut by the movie –
Armageddon. At that very moment, her father, Ramon Catuncan explained to
her how much of a hardwork and perseverance she has to exert before
realizing her young ambition. Amazingly, young Monessa was not
disheartened. Instead, she did well with her studies and graduated
Valedictorian in her High School in 2000. Even before she graduated,
Monessa already captured the attention of the Coast Guard and was
invited to Connecticut and be a helicopter pilot in 1999. She grabbed
the opportunity and went to Connecticut. However, after two weeks, she
realized she was not contented with flying helicopter. Instead, she
wanted to fly a real plane Taking her next step, Monessa
enrolled herself in US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs and studied
aeronautical engineering. She took the Undergraduate Pilot Training,
excelled, and eventually graduated. Determined to reach her ambition,
Monessa topped as a student-plot in her class. Monessa’s flying career started to
bloom then. She was offered to fly either a fighter or a bomber
aircraft. Monessa did not just settled there. She went to Moody Air
Force, Laughlin Air Force Base and Sheppard Air Force Base where she
learned all the theories and developed her skills as a pilot. Although
learning all the techniques of controlling a fighter plane required a
really tough training, Monessa still conquered the stressful situations
she had been through. Reaping her hardwork’s fruits,
Monessa finally got what she wanted – to fly F-16 Falcon, among the
numerous aircrafts offered to her. She went to Luke Air Force Base in
Arizona to practice flying the F-16 or Viper, as commonly known, and of
course, graduated with flying colors. What makes her more amazing was
that she was the only woman in her group and the only Filipino to pass
the course. As a kickoff of her ‘real’ pilot
career in 2014, Monessa was sent to Iraq with the 34th Fighter Squadron
as a USAF 2nd Lieutenant. Just this year, she was promoted as a Captain
and was assigned in Utah’s Hill Air Force Base. After all Capt. Catuncan’s hard work
and perseverance, she finally earned not only the F-16 Falcon, but also
the honor of serving her countrymen. She also has brought honor to the
Filipino race and flag as a Filipina who made it through a tough way,
and and inspiration to every person who has big dream....
Army Contracting Command employee embraces diversity and opportunity
Jeannie
Nguyen, a procurement analyst, is assigned to the Army Contracting
Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG), Maryland. (Photo Credit:
(U.S. Army Photo))
The beauty of the
cultural awareness observances highlighting individuals throughout the
Department of Defense is that regardless of race, creed or color,
America is, as the saying goes, “big enough to accommodate their
dreams.”
Just ask Jeannie Nguyen, a procurement analyst with the Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG), Maryland.
A native Asian Pacific islander, Jeannie and her family came to the United States from Vietnam nearly 30 years ago.
Nguyen
said that she was around the age of 10 when her family made the journey
to America. Of her life in her native Vietnam, she said she was raised
in a religious home, and that a Catholic education was embedded in her
daily life and family values. Gleaming with pride, Nguyen said
that she has the utmost respect for her heritage and values. Adding that
her family has played an integral role in her ability to pursue her
goals and dreams, she said, “Like most parents, mine are very involved
and supportive. Also like many other immigrants, their view of America
is that of a land of opportunities.” Fast forward the years, and
Nguyen, a proud Vietnamese American, has channeled the spirit of her
early upbringing to become an equally proud mother, wife and employee
with the U.S. Federal government. “We were newly wedded, but I spent
most of my time traveling to New York City to work. My husband had
encouraged me to go back to school and earn the 24 hours business
credits requirements, and so I applied to the Contracting Intern
Program. My original degree focus was in healthcare administration,”
said Nguyen. “Perseverance and patience paid off. In 2006 I began
working in contracting at Fort Monmouth. The irony behind my landing
that position was that I was called to an interview by accident, but I
quickly turned the incident around, and used it as an opportunity.
Fortunately, I impressed the panel.” Since then, Nguyen has seized
nearly every opportunity to professionally excel. With six years as a
member of the CECOM Small Business Program (OSBP) to add to her
experience, she as recently as last year joined APG’s Army Contracting
Command (ACC). No stranger to hard work, Nguyen said such a work
ethic is not at all uncommon among Asian Americans. Said Nguyen, “We
often view ourselves as hard working Americans. Asian Americans have
contributed greatly to the workforce and growth of our nation through
innovations and dedication. In the APG community, we have many great
Asian American engineers, scientists, developers, programmers, and
professionals supporting the mission.” Speaking to her personal
commitment and dedication, Nguyen said, “Although I have not served in
the U.S. military, I am honored to serve in my current capacity as a
civilian and public servant. I feel a sense of great pride in my work
and my contributions to the workforce. I always do my best in whatever
tasks and challenges.” Her tireless energy anything but subdued, Nguyen
added, “My goal is to continue to support the Army’s mission, and be
known as a trusted professional, and a responsive teammate.”
Simone Askew is first black woman to lead West Point cadets
West Point Cadet Simone Askew poses for a photo on Aug. 3, 2017. (Austin Lachance/Army via AP)
WEST POINT, N.Y. — Simone Askew marched into history Monday as the
first black woman to lead the Long Grey Line at the U.S. Military
Academy.
After an early morning 12-mile march back to the grey 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, Virginia, 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 Askew is first black woman to lead West Point cadets
West Point Cadet Simone Askew poses for a photo on Aug. 3, 2017. (Austin Lachance/Army via AP)
WEST POINT, N.Y. — Simone Askew marched into history Monday as the
first black woman to lead the Long Grey Line at the U.S. Military
Academy.
After an early morning 12-mile march back to the grey 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, Virginia, 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 W. Gilland, commandant of cadets.
Cadet
Simone Askew, of Fairfax, Va.,, center, who returned from a 12-mile
road march from Camp Buckner to West Point Monday, Aug. 14, 2017, has
been selected first captain of the U.S. Military Academy Corps of Cadets
for the upcoming academic year in West Point, N.Y. (Cadet Alex Werden
via AP)
“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 to the game.”
Gen. Vincent K. Brooks, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, was West
Point’s first African American first captain in 1979. The first female
in that role, in 1989, was Col. Kristin Baker, now commander of the
Joint Intelligence Operations Center Europe, Analytic Center.
Women make up about 20 percent of cadets, who are usually commissioned
as second lieutenants in the Army upon graduation. The academy created a
diversity office in 2014 with the goal of recruiting more women and
African Americans and increasing diversity among department heads and
other leaders.
Pam Askew, of Fairfax, says her daughter is a natural born leader with incredible drive.
“That leadership is something I’ve seen throughout her life — wanting
to be first, wanting to be the best, wanting to win, in sports, in
academics, in every aspect of her life,” Askew said. “And to serve
others, as well.”
Cadet
Simone Askew, of Fairfax, Va., right, talking with Brigade Tactical
Officer Col. Brian Reed at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point,
N.Y., Monday, Aug. 14, 2017. This marks the first time in history that
an African-American woman will take the top position in West Point's
cadet chain of command. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Askew’s appointment comes a year after a photo of 16 graduating black
female cadets raising their fists drew criticism from online
commentators who accused them of supporting the Black Lives Matter
movement. Supporters said they were making a gesture of solidarity and
accomplishment as graduation drew near. West Point investigated and
determined they hadn’t violated any Army rules.
“What that photo said to me was how few black women are graduating,”
Locke said. “We average less than 20 African American women graduating
each year out of a class of 1,000. And yet, out of that 20 we got a
first captain. Isn’t that amazing?”
Locke, a West Point volunteer who has been a mentor to Askew and other
cadets, said she’ll hold her up as a role model for girls when she holds
workshops on leadership and academics at schools in inner cities around
the country.
Asked for her advice to young people aspiring to excel, Askew said:
“Allow yourself to be a vessel. Throughout my cadet career I’ve just
really focused on being poured into, seeking advice, seeking
development, leadership mentors wherever I could. Just truly be a vessel
and be poured into.”
LLC 501C- 4 UCC 1-308.ALL RIGHTS RESERVED WITHOUT PREJUDICE
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F16Taxying
F-16 Fighter Jet Taxying
But before Monessa even set foot to the elite US Air Force, this humble Pinay, like almost everybody else earned her way to success.
Thirty-three year-old Capt. Monessa
Catuncan, a former resident in Pasay City and Olongapo City in the
Philippines was recently recognized by the Asian Journal for her
phenomenal performance of flying United States’ F-16 Fighter Plane. The
said plane was described to be a “state-of-the-art” aircraft by Manila Wire. 
Cadet
Simone Askew, of Fairfax, Va., right, talking with Brigade Tactical
Officer Col. Brian Reed at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point,
N.Y., Monday, Aug. 14, 2017. This marks the first time in history that
an African-American woman will take the top position in West Point's
cadet chain of command. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
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