Meet Simone Askew, the West Point cadet making history

The United States Military Academy at West Point is America's oldest service academy, but never in its history has it had someone like Simone Askew. At 21 years old, Askew is the first African-American woman selected to serve as first captain of the Corps of Cadets. She is the highest-ranking cadet at West Point, commanding a brigade of 4,400. Norah O'Donnell reports.
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[@genegarren833]

As an Airborne Ranger, Jumpmaster, Pathfinder Sergeant E-5 and later E-6 without a College degree, I taught there for 18 months 43 long years ago. Then I went on to Special Forces Training. This young lady is incredible.

[@zoraidacastro5403]

Nice!!!! Thank you for your service.

[@hellowaves]

The world needs more positive role models like this young lady.

[@theodorebaker5483]

THAT IS TRUE, HOWEVER SHE WAS NOT THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN. THE FIRST WAS LT.PEREZ WHO GOTTEN KILLED IN THE GOLF WAR BETWEEN 2005 OR 2006 AND SHE WAR ARMY.

[@nicholasbenge9497]

@@theodorebaker5483 She was the first African American woman to be given the title of First Captain of the Corps of Cadets. First Captain is a firstie who serves as the leader of all Cadets in the academy, and is the highest "ranking" cadet on the grounds. She is the leader of the class and leads by her example.

[@anamariadeb.8552]

God Bless this young cadet. "My focus is to be the best First Captain". That says it all.

[@cameronscott576]

I just went to her graduation yesterday and watching her take charge is truly inspiring. Congrats to class of 2018

[@budjitresvalles6397]

Big Wow!! She’s all that... and a Rhodes Scholar on top of that? 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@paullisanti8673]

I'm not a Fan of Af Am people in general. I believe the "Dem Party" paralyzed them. But, give credit where credit is due. God bless her. She'll be a good soldier. Patriot. White. Black. Male or Female. Who cares? She's all Red, White and Blue

[@katdeluxy9608]

Paul Li Santi you sound stupid

[@kingsik5875]

@@paullisanti8673 STFU!

[@Day1onDay1]

Simone Askew for President! Now that's someone our country can be proud of! 💯

[@rushsoriano4767]

Amazing woman! I love Simone! We need more honorable women like her all over the world. I’m so touched.

[@MrGoodnplenty1957]

congratulation from a air force veteran. i also noticed at 2:32 in the picture is someone i flew with way back when she was a Captain and a pilot. The lady on the far left is USAF Lt. General Stayce Harris.

[@rogermclaughlin5510]

Randy Johnson thanks for your service

[@paulsuprono7225]

Come on Randy - 'an Air Force veteran' ! 😬 🇺🇸

[@nunyabiznez6381]

I hope I live long enough to see stars on her shoulders.

[@bigfrank1010]

America is proud of you can't wait to hear when you get ur first star 🇺🇸🙋

[@thekingsdaughter6525]

I'm so proud of this young lady. A big kudos to her mom and all the mentors in her life!💯💯👌👌👌

[@davekramer4266]

I wish her nothing but the BEST.. I predict you will go far......

[@dj4123]

So proud of this young woman! A credit to everything she stands for.

[@MiN-ow9fr]

A true leader is not afraid of their failures or limitations, instead learn to overcome failures and push their limits. She has huge potential.

[@Neverforgethaiti]

Simone is such an amazing and wonderful Cadets First Captain, Rhodes Scholar, role model etc... She will most definitely go very far in her life if she continues doing the great things that she is currently doing !!!! I am so very proud of what Simone has achieved/accomplished so far !!!! Keep on keepin' on !!!! 😊😊😊😊

[@gabrielchristian3981]

Very proud of her. A great role model. God bless her!

[@dmyers724]

It gives me hope for my country if you work hard enough and you want it you can accomplish anything God bless this young woman

[@roberttaylor6565]

SHE IS TOP OF THE LINE/ THE MILITARY IS LUCKY TO HAVE HER.

[@zoraidacastro5403]

Absolutely!!! Proud of her

[@spreadeagled5654]

A good leader is ONE who is trained, qualified, competent and dedicated regardless of race or gender. 🇺🇸👍

[@emilymedina2843]

She is so inspiring! An i love her smile. Thank you to all the women and men who have serve, are serving and will serve.

[@markaskew7163]

So proud of her keep up the good work I'm retired from the Army with Leaders like her I know the Army will be in good hands, besides she has my Last Name, may God continue to bless her.

[@katbrax8622]

Congratulations on a JOB well done! Happy Belated Birthday! God Bless your beautiful mother for setting such a wonderful example.

[@slobama]

Unfortunately they did not interview her parents.

[@themaintenancedude]

That young woman is going to accomplish so much for herself, and for our nation. Such an excellent attitude!

[@mattfrmdachi]

If I get in the Academy, I want to implement these core values that Simone has. You go girl!!

[@golf-rg6bw]

What a classy intelligent young lady.Congrats to her and her family.

[@downhilltwofour0082]

People like this fine person is what keeps me thinking the human race has a chance to, not only survive but to grow and get closer to our true potential!

[@nlahunter]

Wow! What an amazing young women and so inspiring!

[@ursulahoward196]

Congratulations Simone and keep up the good work

[@alialjanabi770]

Ali KHamis Aljanabi

[@shirleysavage7725]

Wow! Selfless personality. Praying for the best journey for Simone

[@Neverforgethaiti]

This wonderful Cadets First Captain & Rhodes scholar young woman will go very far in her life !!!! I am so proud of what Simone has achieved/accomplished so far !!!! Keep on keepin' on !!!!

[@LMays-cu2hp]

Thank you for sharing.

[@pcbacklash_3261]

Not only the Cadet First Captain but a freakin' Rhodes Scholar! I predict great things for this young woman. Go get 'em! :-D

[@bingbong1626]

Helps being a black female tbh

[@bobbyrobby3600]

She will never know what a real life is being in the military for 20 years. Women should not be in the military and that's Bible.

[@JARyding]

Where is that college professor who claims that our military are low IQ people?

[@ArxosFX]

@@bobbyrobby3600 Shut up, boomer.

[@averyvess7606]

bing bong did they add points to her test and curve her scores because she is black? did they add any pushups or decrease time from her run? did she make it through the academy bc of her race? if anything she had to deal with adversity and worked her very hardest to be the best cadet. this annoys me so much bc it totally dismisses her merit bc u assume that she needed to be a minority female for what she’s worked for.

[@bajamedic]

So incredible! Thank you Mam for your service to this country.

[@ilovelamp7996]

She is incredibly young to be a captain in my opinion, however, she was chosen for a reason and the military doesn't really mess around with identity politics so I assume she is fit for the role. On top of that, she seems like a very capable young soldier and obviously sees herself as a military person rather than "the first black woman to be a captain" that everyone wants to label her as.

[@bernardwilson9519]

I Love Lamp - she wasn’t a young captain in this story, in the system of Army ranks. She was “Cadet First Captain,” which is a cadet position at West Point - essentially the highest ranking cadet. The very second that she graduated, she dropped that position and took her place as a 2nd Lt in the U. S. Army.

[@davidkeith3323]

She’s a cadet Captain

[@minkymott]

You are a fool if you think the Military doesn't play identiy politics.

[@waynefletcher9884]

She EARNED her position as First Captian of Cadets! They don’t just pick em!

[@minkymott]

@@waynefletcher9884 She "earned it" because she's a woman. I'm telling you there were several men who were more qualified.

[@sandrachavez2447]

What a great leader, what a great person!....A role model to everyone🙏

[@marcelngobeh511]

Great job soldier! I'm proud of you...

[@janetpartyka5968]

I just saw this. Simone is everything you would want a daughter to be, a good person with values, outstanding leadership skills, intelligent, kind and the list goes on. The army is very fortunate to have her. This interview will do nothing but encourage girls to be like Simone. A very belated Congratulations!! :). :)

[@eddiehizo3365]

Congrats to you....coming from a Desert Storm veteran.

[@rogermclaughlin5510]

Eddie Hizo thanks for your service

[@GuamPhotographer]

I don't know know her at all, but I've got goose bumps watching this and I'm proud of her! Congrats and I wish you all the best!

[@mandiworld]

That young lady makes us proud!

[@samuelwilliams8099]

Making sure you make others feel comfortable is really the key to success.!

[@mattka5354]

Respect! U.S. President in the making or first female to lead the Joint Chiefs of Staff. An inspiration to ALL women regardless of race.

[@TPTGopher]

And an inspiration to all Americans regardless of race/gender/religion/politics

[@bobbyrobby3600]

This is sickening and Trump wants many women to be promoted to Generals. It's all against the Bible. Only men should be in the military. But then Trump is not very biblical, his spiritual leader is a woman Pastor which is totally against the Bible. And Paula White is a false teacher anyhow.

[@waynefletcher9884]

Bobby Robby trump didn’t have a god damn thing to do with this lady’s achievement and appointment ... and of course you are a very insecure individual anyway !!

[@waynefletcher9884]

Matt A Trump didn’t appoint a woman as chairman of the JCS

[@Fleshox19-uz3qt]

@@waynefletcher9884 He didn't say that. US President or JCO, appointed was never mentioned. Just wanted to clarify.

[@joselplascencia7795]

AND THAT GENTS AND GALS, IS WHAT AMERICA IS ALL ABOUT! GOD BLESS HER AND GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!

[@africanlipplateandbonenose3223]

Wrong. America is about merit. Not about the color of your skin.

[@terrencemilton5088]

Good for her. Good for the people at west point. I know its hard to get in. I worked with a coworker who was trying to get in.

[@motorcop505]

She is a sharp, intelligent, talented, pretty leader. A true role model. I wish her all the best! (From a former USAR Infantry captain..)

[@BigJoeWalker]

Thank you for being such an inspiration! Wow!

[@jesselbenolirao5661]

On breaking barriers and selfless services

[@pramendranehwal2140]

Reminded me my training days in the Indian Military Academy

[@juliewarrington9482]

Thank you for your service

[@Thurgoodlucas]

Ayeee we went to the same school but she graduated before me. Congrats boo!

[@mormonslayer71]

I can only imagine how proud Simone's perents are of her.

[@docbar4885]

GODISGOOD71 "parents" this girl has one parent and it's her white mom. As per usual the black sperm donor is non existent

[@wcatholic1]

When you get yer bars, remember to listen to yer NCOs and ya won't go wrong.

[@morganbangs2969]

wcatholic1 umm your

[@NoniJen]

Huh? NCO’s still have to salute to her butterbar.

[@morganbangs2969]

Jen Lib88 yes but NCOs train Officers after OCS and ROTC and all that. They teach them how to do everything for their MOSs

[@NoniJen]

Morgan Bangs True- more like a marriage helping each other. One is responsible for the legal order and one enforces the order.

[@morganbangs2969]

Jen Lib88 exactly

[@triciap1102]

Love that story❤️❤️❤️

[@PIAMUSA]

Awesome....congratulations....

[@rickmorgan3930]

Can only wish her the best.... hope she becomes head of the joint chiefs some day.

[@wardogs161]

Outstanding!

[@CorettaJG]

Go Simone!

[@susanhouser3676]

So mature for only 21. I wish her great success. 🇺🇸♥️

[@victorsturdivant4731]

Happy birthday Simone!!!!

[@stevenkelly9731]

Good job..Congradulations...Cadet Flipper( 1st African American West Point cadet1877) has been avenged!

[@waynefletcher9884]

steven kelly wrong, there was already a black First Captain of the Corps of Cadet.... Lt General Vincent Brooks who’s currently the Supreme Commander of Pacific Forces

[@slobama]

It would have been nice if they'd had interviewed her proud parents.

[@vrjanice2]

@Ltrainsns Ns She is black because her father is black. Was that a joke?

[@andrewvaden8600]

Ltrainsns Ns WTF😡

[@directorytaliwag4100]

These youngsters are exceptional.

[@geraldsummers8965]

A very smart and intelligent young Lady.!!! Go for whatever you want in Life.!!!

[@diversity2739]

wonderful!

[@4vndd]

Hat's off to you lady!!! Good luck for the future...!!!

[@seddievincentbascones5630]

Sometimes past creates what will be in the hands of future. But somehow it really helps to endures uncertainty deemed and unlighted undertakings which every man's desires. Mabuhay Graduates...

[@Neverforgethaiti]

I see ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ in Simone Askew's future if she continues doing the great things that she was doing or is currently doing !!!! 😊😊😊😊

[@Rains215]

Man I still remember her as a Plebe, they grow up so fast!😭

[@pretty_pocahontas1757]

Freaking amazing!!! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@peachgang5094]

I’m enlisting in the marines

[@natashavernon9828]

All the best !!

[@jeanp.5929]

I'm guessing you're at your first duty station now?

[@rogermclaughlin5510]

Peach Gang thanks for your service

[@mdscamarilloca2914]

I really wanted to watch this, but there were no closed captions.

[@VIKING33NY]

What a great Example to not only Women, but to Americans!!! Well done!!

[@chas9914]

I'm proud of her

[@phillato]

congratulations to this beautiful woman

[@piper0428]

She has the making of a great leader for our nation and the entire world!

[@lighthouse3879]

She's going far, you can tell that. Good for her.

[@jeremiahdavis1724]

Wow!! Congratulations to you! The army needs great leaders not defined by their race or gender but just great leaders and she clearly will be one!!

[@sweettoothmarie7304]

Well done Simone!! 💜✊

[@stoneyll]

WOW.. That's great~!

[@fizzywarrior8725]

America, be proud of your own people serving great America

[@madcat4937]

her mom and her dad must be great people

[@Robbie050]

You go gurl

[@allisonlew4508]

Fabulous!

[@carlosblanco8-876]

good work

[@thammanoonkamfunt5470]

Nice Report

[@ludhorplando5279]

congrats maam more power and all the cadits..hurra.

[@lancefraijo8585]

This is a good opportunity for all young youth here in America

[@giamae5]

You are inspirational and beautiful! Vergia Askew

[@user-pv7nf3gu8u]

So many hate comments. Unbelievable. She is a woman. She is black. Two major elements previously not given any worth in the US until recently* (still subjective) Calm down, and either applaud this young woman's success or go away.

[@mikenone1854]

0 5 not now either

[@mikenone1854]

0 5 still isnt

[@streetleveltech]

No, the haters and bigots will whinge and moan and make up every possible reason to minimize her and her achievement because that's what haters and bigots do.

[@josephsimmons11]

0 5 Perfectly stated!

[@josephsimmons11]

Mike Miller No one is any better than or any less than anyone else on earth!

[@dannyortiz4508]

Yes

[@russv4753]

Simone Askew, Ma'am if you happen to see this comment. Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do. It would be an honor to meet you.

[@perjrgensen8280]

Respect.. Kind regards from Denmark.

[@bluemarshall6180]

A Change in the Corps finally. 👍

[@diosdadoapias]

Yes good for them in America.As I see in this video, the First Capt was then wearing an eye glass when she entered the academy. In the Philippines if you are using a graded eye glass you can not enter the Philippine Military Academy, Philippine National Police academy, AFPOCS and other service schools.

[@okechfredrick5421]

Thanks for you service mum

[@fctryoffetsh39]

I salute you and you all😊👍

[@rochellhodges7795]

Congratulations!

[@terrencemilton5088]

Its gift to country for all the people who get in west point.

[@zoraidacastro5403]

She is only 21. I hope to see her future endeavors.

[@rayenalowenssr5146]

Salute and congratulations