Issue date: 9/22/08 Section: Features

Media Credit: Patrick Clayton Squadron 16 second-wing executive officer and senior human resource development major Nadia Orozco poses at the Quad. [Click to enlarge]

Prior to 1974, women were not allowed in the Corps of Cadets. Today, there are 221 women in the Corps making up more than 12 percent of the organization.

It is the largest group of females the Corps has ever seen. Female enrollment has more than doubled during the previous six years. In 2002, there were 105 girls making up 6 percent.

"It's not necessarily harder, just different," said Elise Dickens, first sergeant and junior biology major. "You're required to do more than what most girls' social standard allows."

Lauren Smith, a freshman allied health major, said she could not see herself in the Corps.

"I'm a girly-girl, so that just wouldn't work for me," Smith said.

The sacrifices are worthwhile, Dickens said.

"The first few weeks I absolutely hated it," she said, "but it's been the most rewarding experience of my life; I wouldn't trade it for anything."

Freshman business major Jordin Gray said the Corps lacks freedom.

"Hell no, I'd never join the Corps," Gray said, "I don't wanna be told what to do and how to dress; I came to college to be free."

Alyssa Lathum, a freshman biomedical engineering major, said she did not experience a loss of freedom.

"I'm not missing anything in college," Lathum said. "I joined for the discipline and the camaraderie I knew was [in the Corps], and I have not been disappointed."

Nadia Orozco, a senior human resource development major, said she joined the Corps to prepare for her career after college. She will accept a commission in the U.S. Army following graduation.

"I wanted the military career and the disciplined lifestyle," she said.

Orozco, the squadron 16 second-wing executive officer said that women need to stay in the Corps for four years to ensure the success of freshman women coming in.

"Freshman girls need to see senior girls in boots to be motivated to stick it out," she said.

Dickens said although she enjoys her time in the Corps, there are downsides.

"[It's hard] not being able to do things other girls do every day, like dressing up and looking cute," Dickens said.

Dickens said that non-Corps guys look at females in uniform funny, but Patrick Robinson, a junior computer science major, said his reaction is for different reasons.

"When I see her, my first reaction is that I know she is in the Corps," Robinson said. "I think that it's cool that she could deal with all the things that the Corps does, which I don't even fully understand, and still be able to keep a smile on her face and passion for service."

For Dickens, time in the Corps has been a rewarding experience.

"Not a single regret," she said.

Basics
1974 Women were allowed in the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M for the first time. They lived off campus and wore only a military name tag to show their membership initially.
1980Senior women were allowed to wear senior boots.
1980 The second female outfit, Squadron 14, was formed.
1980 Women were allowed to participate in bonfire.
1985 Women were allowed in the marching band.
1994 The Corps became fully integrated.
2008 Largest class of women and first female drum major.

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