Citadel needs change

Last year, many male cadets, confident women could not stand up to military training, cheered when Shannon Faulkner dropped out of the Citadel. This year several cadets became determined to drive out four new female cadets. They have partially succeeded. Two female cadets will not return this semester and alleged they were hazed.

Unfortunately for our military, some men decide the enemy is within their own ranks. Scandals such as Tailhook and the rape of young Japanese girls by American GIs, dozens of complaints of sexual harassment, high rates of domestic abuse on military bases are giving a bad name to the U.S. Armed Forces. Male soldiers are seen as increasingly being out of control, aggressive and violent in all aspects of their lives. And sadly, the trend continues as older students train younger cadets in the ways of sexual harassment and disrespect for women.

The abuses at the Citadel were even toned down by the media, who reported that the female cadets' clothing had been set on fire -- while neglecting to mention that the women were wearing the clothes at the time. Staying at The Citadel would endanger their lives. One female dropout called the hazing "disgusting," "criminal," and "sadistic."

Obviously, only some of the male cadets carried out these activities, while others condemned them. The older brother of one of the dropouts, an upperclassman at the Citadel, helped notify the authorities of the allegations. He is also refusing to return this semester. Other men need to follow his example. Each abused woman is someone's daughter, sister, or mother. Would these men treat the women in their families this way? Would they want them abused by other men?

The Citadel is also looking into overhauling the systematic hazing that lets men abuse women and younger men. Because of these allegations, The Citadel has promised to protect the remaining women from further illegal excessive hazing. It is also investigating the system of power among students, where the upperclassmen can dictate orders to the freshmen cadets.

When students learn that hazing is dangerous to their lives and unimportant to a military career, in addition to learning that women deserve respect, then we can move toward a more equal military. When soldiers respect one another, they will become a much stronger unit.

The Citadel, under law, must admit women. Before women will feel welcome, the school needs to punish severely the men involved in the hazing and examine the treatment of all new cadets.