Military Academy

Male and female cadets differed in some of their experiences at the U.S. Military Academy. For example, women consistently received offers of admission at higher rates than men, but also consistently experienced higher attrition than men. Women's academic grades were lower than men's, particularly during freshman and sophomore years, despite generally higher academic predictor scores. In contrast, women's physical education grades were somewhat higher despite lower predictor scores in this area. Although reviewed more frequently for Honor Code violations and for failure to meet academic standards, women were recommended for separation less often. Although minorities had higher admission rates than did whites, they had lower academic predictor scores and lower academic, physical education, and military grades. As a result, minorities were more frequently reviewed for serious failure to meet academic standards and fewer minorities graduated in the top quarter of their class. Minorities were also reviewed at higher rates than whites for Honor Code infractions and were recommended for separation for honor reasons at generally higher rates than whites. A GAO survey of cadets, staff, and faculty revealed perceptions that women and minorities were generally treated the same as men and whites. Some male cadets, however, viewed women as receiving better treatment in some areas. To a somewhat lesser degree, minorities were also viewed as receiving better treatment.

GAO found that: (1) women fare better than men in admission offers and physical education grades; (2) men fare better than women in attrition rates and selection for top cadet leadership positions; (3) although women cadets are reviewed more frequently for honor code violations and for failure to meet academic standards, women are recommended for separation at lower rates than men; (4) although minorities are offered admission at higher rates than whites, they have lower academic predictor scores and lower academic, physical education, and military grades; (5) more minorities are reviewed for serious failure to meet academic standards, and fewer minorities graduate in the top quarter of their classes; (6) minorities are reviewed for honor code violations and are recommended for separation at higher rates than whites; (7) the majority of cadets, staff, and faculty believe that, in general, women and minorities receive the same treatment as men and whites; (8) some male cadets believe that women receive favored treatment; and (9) the Academy has taken action to establish an atmosphere where all cadets are encouraged and able to perform at their best by increasing the awareness of racial and sex discrimination at the Academy, and changing the curriculum.

Recommendations

Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.

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