Fairfax woman is 1st African-American woman to lead West Point's Corps of Cadets

WEST POINT, N.Y. - A Fairfax woman has become the first African-American woman to lead West Point's Corps of Cadets, the U.S. Army announced.

Cadet Simone Askew achieved the highest position in the cadet chain of command and will assume her duties on Aug. 14, according to the Army.

Army officials said she currently leads 1,502 cadets as the Regimental Commander of Cadet Basic Training II.
As First Captain, the international history major will be responsible for the overall performance of the 4,400-member Corps of Cadets.

"Simone truly exemplifies our values of duty, honor, country. Her selection is a direct result of her hard work, dedication and commitment to the Corps over the last three years," said Brig. Gen. Steven W. Gilland, commandant of cadets in a written statement. "I know Simone and the rest of our incredibly talented leaders within the Class of 2018 will provide exceptional leadership to the Corps of Cadets in the upcoming academic year."

The Army said Askew graduated from Air Assault School and is an EXCEL Scholar. She was also named the Black Engineer of the Year Award for Military Leadership and a member of the Phi Alpha Theta Honorary National History Society.

Askew holds the highest female Recondo score during Combat Field Training II for the class of 2018, according to Army officials.