Women in the Military Academies: US Navy (Part 1 of 3)

In brief: Women were admitted to the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, a little more than a decade ago. To compensate for differences between men and women, some modifications were made in the physical training program, which originally had been designed for men. For example, the personal defense requirement includes judo, boxing, and wrestling for men and judo, hand-to-hand defense, and fencing for women; all these activities are believed to develop poise, fortitude, and combat strategy. The authors point out that athletic women have more success than nonathletes at the academy, probably because athletes tend to possess the stamina, strength, and self-discipline required to survive the academy's tough, uncompromising physical environment.