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Genius Hour: Female Midshipman
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- 2. Why did Ipick this topic? • I have always admired the women that attend the Naval Academy. • My Dad attended the Naval Academy and served for seven years. • I hope to be just like one of the experts I contacted, Jade Seabrook.
- 3. Glossary • Plebes- theycall the Freshman at the Naval Academy. • Midshipmen- the students at the academy are called this. • Company- a group of 100 students that get into formation together. There are about 4 companies in a brigade. • Brigade- the student body. • Induction day- the day that parents drop off their children and they become plebes.
- 4. History of theNaval Academy • The Naval Academy was founded on October 10, 1845. When the Academy first started, there were only 50 midshipmen, who were all men and 7 professors. • The first year that women were allowed to attend the Naval Academy was 1976. • Only 86 women went to the Naval Academy in 1976 and there were only 3 women in a company. In total there are about 100 people per company. • The student body is referred to as the brigade. The brigade always has around 4,000 students.
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- 6. The Life ofa Women at the Academy in 1976 • In preparing for the women to come to the academy they had many concerns regarding the women. For example, studies show that women are more competitive then men and that they get tired easier than men. As a result of these two things women will not tell if they are tired or not and that could lead to deadly situations. • Women were not allowed to go into combat (war) after they graded because of the strict laws that were set. • Women were allowed to play sports at the academy but they had to play in the men's’ league. The only sports they were not allowed to play were rugby, football, lacrosse, wrestling, and boxing. • Women wore slightly different uniforms than men. • One woman would sleep and room with the other two women in her company. • Some of the men were not as happy with women coming to the academy. Specifically, one study shows that 10% of the men didn’t want women to come to the Naval Academy.
- 8. Naval Academy Standards •The three missions of the Naval Academy are to develop the midshipmen mentally, morally, and physically. The Naval Academy’s missions are also to help the midshipmen prepare for battle. • The other characteristics that the Naval Academy expects from the students is honor, integrity, and loyalty. • The standard is supposed to push you past your normal limit.
- 9. Similarities Between Menand Women at the Academy • The men and women get the same uniforms as plebes and are treated mostly the same on Induction day. • The midshipmen were all of the same things when they are plebes; especially in the first couple weeks. • They all have to face the same challenges and share the same struggles.
- 10. Differences Between Menand Women at the Academy • Women can either cut their hair into a bob or keep it in a low tight bun at all times. Men have to get a buzz cut and there are no excuses. • Women can wear skirts or dresses men only wear pants.
- 11. Daily Life atthe Academy • Life at the Naval Academy is no easy task. It requires a lot of physical and mental strength in order to get past each day. • Each day consist of an early wake up, three meals, school, and a sport. • Below is the link to their schedule: • www.usna.edu/Student-Life/Daily-Schedule.php
- 12. 24 Majors Atthe Academy • Arabic • History • Aerospace Engineering • Information Technology • Chemistry • Mathematics • Chinese • Mechanical Engineering • Computer Science • Naval Architecture • Computer Engineering • Ocean Engineering • Cyber Operations • Oceanography • Economics • Operations Research • Electrical Engineering • Physics • English • Political Science • General Engineering • Quantitative Economics • General Science • Systems Engineering
- 13. Extracurricular Activities • Extracurricularactivities are very demanding. At the Naval Academy it is required that you play a sport. • Some extracurricular activities for men and women are: • Soccer • Cross Country • Tennis • Sailing • Rowing
- 14. Being Treated DifferentlyThan Men: Jade Seabrook • One of the experts that I contacted was Jade Seabrook. • Below is some information about this amazing young, but strong lady: • Defender on Navy’s Soccer team. • Seabrook is a Junior at the Academy. • She is majoring in Information Technology and minors in Japanese. • Seabrook explains, “So, being treated differently, I would say that is on a case-by-case basis.”
- 15. “ So, beingtreated differently, I would say that is on a case-by-case basis. -Jade Seabrook ” Jade thinks that in some situations she is treated differently than men but she is also never, ever allowed to use the excuse, “But I am a girl” when she doesn’t want to do something. This goes for every woman that is a midshipman.
- 16. Being a Womanis No Excuse When Completing All Tasks and Challenges • At the Naval Academy it is no excuse to be a woman because everyone is being treated the same way; men and women. • The women are never allowed to say that they can’t do something because they are women. • Another one of the experts I contacted was Carin Gabbarra. She is the head coach of the Women’s Navy Soccer team. Carin also shared with me the concept of being a woman is no excuse when facing everyday challenges. • Here are her exact words, “Women are not treated differently than men, but are expected to hold themselves to the same high standards. It is never and excuse to be a female.” • Carin is another amazing woman and has accomplished many outstanding things in her life.
- 17. Sources • www.usna.edu • www.brainpop.com •www.google.com • www.navalhistory.org • What is a Midshipman? By Sue Ross • Jade Seabrook • Paul C. • Carin Gabbarra
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