West Point cadet from Virginia breaks ground as 1st captain

[bigbrother05]

5. This is why Trump's tweet barring transgenders is so damaging

Regardless of the throwbacks that inhabit the ranks, the military has long been in the vanguard for change. While there is always going to be resistance, civilian leadership has made some of the most profound social changes widespread by first implementing them in the services.

From Harry Truman integrating the military to Clinton's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" to Obama's gender integration (open LGBT and women in combat) the military has been the leading indicator for moving the country forward on equality.

Before anyone tells me all the horror stories of mistreatment in the ranks, I've seen/heard most of them. My point is that with things like the UCMJ and the structured chain-of-command, the military adjusts to a new directive in social tolerance with more overt success than is usually found in the communities that surround their bases.

This young woman's success is important not only as a 1st, but also as it's a recognition based on merit.