University of Virginia Library

Echols Coed Gives Air Force ROTC Unit New Look

By BEVERLY DOWELL

Photo By Andy Stickney

What is so rare as a clear day in Charlottesville!

This group of coeds did not fail to take advantage of this one

A female Echols Scholar has joined
the Air Force ROTC unit, becoming the
first woman to be admitted to ROTC at
the University.

Mary Edwards, a first-year student,
decided to apply after reading an ad in
the orientation issue of the Cavalier
Daily.

"I didn't realize that women could join the
ROTC until I saw the ad. I had been
considering joining since November of last
year," Miss Edwards said.

Although Miss Edwards plans to apply for a
three year scholarship, her reasons are "not
really financial." It is a good job for a woman
starting out and will be very fulfilling," she
added.

Miss Edwards is interested in science and
plans to work in the paramedical field. "There
is a fantastic variety of jobs. They gave me a list
of occupations and I haven't even heard of
most of them."

Miss Edwards became interested in joining
the Air Force after discussing it with her fiance,
Richard Stevens. Mr. Stevens attends Cornell on
a four year Air Force ROTC scholarship.

"We will be commissioned at the same
time," Miss Edwards explained. "There are
several married couples that have joined the Air
Force together."

Miss Edwards has not decided whether she
will continue in the Air Force after her four
year obligation is finished. She "might
possibly" continue if the Air Force allows
women with families to serve.

The Air Force is the only branch of the
armed services that admits women to the ROTC
program. Women have been admitted for
several years on an experimental basis. Last
year the program began on a large scale.

Col. Strever of the Army ROTC program
explained that he was interested in women
joining but that the "Women's Army Corps has
no provision for ROTC."

He also explained that the "outgoing WAC
chief was not in support of the ROTC program
for women." She has since retired, but Col.
Strever has no idea "if the new chief will
support it."

There are 17 nursing students enrolled in
the Army Nurses program.

Lt. Col. Morgan, Executive officer of the
Naval ROTC, said that there is no ROTC for
women and that there are "no prospective
plans." He mentioned that some ROTC units
have a Women's Auxiliary, but they do not
participate in the academic program.

"If it becomes competitive the Navy might
start a women's ROTC program but they have
no plans now," Mr. Strever stated. The Navy
does offer a nurse's training program.