While Trump is using transgender troops as bargaining chips for his bigoted border wall, folks in the military are proceeding to break diversity barriers within its ranks. The latest sign comes from the West Point U.S. Military Academy, where Cadet Simone Askew will be the first black woman to assume the top position in the cadet chain of command. As you may expect, this is a pretty big deal; the official announcement shows she’ll be leading thousands of cadets.
Askew, an International History major, currently leads 1,502 cadets as the Regimental Commander of Cadet Basic Training II.
As First Captain she is responsible for the overall performance of the approximately 4,400-member Corps of Cadets. Her duties also include implementing a class agenda and acting as a liaison between the Corps and the administration.
In the official announcement, they make it clear why Askew was chosen with her long list of achievements.
Outside of the curriculum, Askew is a member of the Army West Point Crew team and developing leaders as the Cadet-in-Charge of the Elevation Initiative. She is a graduate of Air Assault School, an EXCEL Scholar, a member of the Phi Alpha Theta Honorary National History Society, a recipient of the Black Engineer of the Year Award for Military Leadership, and holds the highest female Recondo score during Combat Field Training II for the class of 2018.
She’ll begin serving in the new position on August 14. Congrats to Askew for making history and best of luck to her in the position!