Pointerview.Com Shaye Haver, USMA Class of 2012, and Capt
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AUGUST 27, 2015 1 THE AUGUST 27, 2015 VOL. 72, NO. 33 ® UTY ONOR OUNTRY OINTER IEW D , H , C PSERVING THE U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY AND THE COMMUNITY V OF WEST POINT ® Maj. Gen. Nadja Y. West, Joint Staff Surgeon at the Pentagon and a 1982 USMA graduate, was the guest speaker at the annual Women's Equality Day luncheon Aug. 20 at the West Point Club. This year’s theme was "Celebrating Women's Right to Vote." Women’s Equality Day observed Story and photo by Kathy Eastwood Kristen Griest, USMA Class of 2011, became be back here at WestPoint,” West said. “Every “One of the fi rst female graduates of the Staff Writer the fi rst women to receive the Ranger Tab Aug. time I pass through the gates, I am absolutely Class of 1980 was retired Col. Debra Lewis,” 21 after graduation from Ranger School in Fort overwhelmed and have a profound thanks of West said. “It wasn’t an easy time at West West Point celebrated Women’s Equality Benning, Georgia. appreciation that I am part of the Long Gray Point for women, but 62 women out of 119 Day Aug. 20 with a luncheon at the West Point The cadet respect committee performed a Line and all that allowed me to experience.” graduated. Lewis persevered. She once said Club to commemorate the passage of the 19th short skit of the history of women’s suffrage West began with a question about why she was determined to pass out before she fell amendment 95 years ago that gave the right to by standing and quoting some of the ideals of these observances are still important in today’s out. Lewis was also the fi rst woman engineer vote to women and to the extraordinary efforts the women’s suffrage movement and included world and quoted Harriet Tubman, suffragette commander in Iraq.” of the suffragettes who fought for that right the wife of President John Adams, fi rst lady and head of the Underground Railroad Andrea Hollen, USMA Class of 1980, is during the late 19th and early 20th century. Abigail Adams, who implored her husband providing secret routes and safe houses for considered the fi rst woman graduate of West The Seneca Falls Convention on July to “remember the ladies” during the fight slaves escaping to free states and Canada. Point and was a Rhodes Scholar. 19-20, 1848, was the fi rst women’s rights for independence in 1776, years before the “Every great dream begins with the Hollen spent 12 years in the Army and is convention with an estimated 300 men and suffrage movement. dreamer. Always remember you have the currently the director of analytics and research women attending. The goal of the convention “I long to hear that you have declared strength, the patience and the passion to reach for case commons in New York that provide was to build a women’s rights movement an independency. And, by the way, in the the stars and change the world,” West quoted social network based software to workers. and included a list of grievances called the new code of laws which I suppose it will be Tubman. “Would this have been possible without Declaration of Sentiments with the fi rst two necessary for you to make, I desire you would “I want you to think about it,” West added. the women’s fi ght for the vote,” West said. protesting the lack of women suffrage. remember the ladies and be more generous “Is it just too hot out there or maybe you “These are exciting times, the future is bright, “The actions of the suffragettes were not and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do wanted to go to some other place and now you but there will be challenges. What about the especially popular,” Brig. Gen. John Thomson, not put such unlimited power into the hands are stuck here? Many may think that women next 95 years? Will you see your role as being commandant of cadets, said. “They were of the husbands. Remember, all men would have achieved signifi cant rights over the years, among the people you represent while you are frequently harassed and attacked by mobs, be tyrants if they could. If particular care including the right to fi ght for our country, but inside fi ghting for them? I challenge you to thrown in jail and mistreated when they and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are I think it is important to refl ect on the affect think how you will make a difference.” protested. Still they persevered and the 19th determined to foment a rebellion, and will not we have and have had amendment to the U.S. Constitution asserted hold ourselves bound by any laws in which on society.” USMA Graduates Haver, the right to suffrage to our women Aug. 18, we have no voice or representation,” Abigail West evoked the INSIDE 1920.” Adams stated. names of several Griest earn Ranger Tabs Thomson reminded the attendees that this Class of 1982, Maj. Gen. Nadja Y. female graduates of luncheon was signifi cant in another fi rst for West, Joint Staff Surgeon at the Pentagon, West Point who have & SEE PAGE 2 women as two West Point graduates, 1st Lt. Washington D.C., was the guest speaker. made an impact on WWW.POINTERVIEW.COM Shaye Haver, USMA Class of 2012, and Capt. “I can’t tell you how amazing it is for me to society. ONLINE WWW . USMA . EDU 2 AUGUST 27, 2015 NEWS & FEATURES POINTER VIEW Ask the Lawyer: Marital Separation and Support By Sharon J. Ackah, JD, MPH and/or an action for divorce is pending. Making Support Payments You should document every payment made Legal Assistance Attorney, USMA Exceptions apply for dual military service Failure to meet your support obligation can to ensure you are abiding by any court orders or members. carry devastating consequences. Therefore, it support agreement and so that you can prove you When “unto death do us part” fails and the The Soldier’s commanding offi cer is the is critical that you maintain very good fi nancial are doing what you are supposed to be doing. termination of a marriage seems the inevitable enforcing authority and can take adverse action records. If you have questions regarding separation next step, you must realize that divorce against a Soldier for not meeting the outlined It is advisable to make payments in a manner or family support requirements, contact the West will legally dissolve your marriage but will support obligations. that is traceable, such as checks, allotment or Point Legal Assistance Offi ce at 845-938-4541. oftentimes fail to immediately end your fi nancial A commander will usually take action to electronic funds transfer. Our offi ces are located in Bldgs. 606 and obligations to your estranged spouse. enforce the regulation when one spouse makes Payments for various expenses of the 626. Are you contemplating separating from your an allegation of “non-support.” supported party, such as rent or mortgage, can Find us and “Like Us” on Facebook at https:// spouse while initiating divorce proceedings? Under specifi c circumstances, a Battalion count toward your obligation. www.facebook.com/USMALegalAssistance. If so, you should determine whether you are Commander may release a Soldier from certain subject to Army Regulation (AR) 608-99, as family support requirements. If you believe you your support obligation may begin earlier than have a circumstance warranting release, consult USMA Graduates Haver, Griest are you anticipate. a Legal Assistance Attorney for guidance. Being familiar with the applicable Army A valid separation agreement or a court Regulations may help you protect your rights order will supersede the support requirements fi rst females to earn Ranger Tabs and take care of your responsibilities. of AR 608-99. Staff Reports Separation Agreements Separation & Separation Agreements Much of the history we teach was made by people we taught ... When marriages breakdown, some couples Under AR 608-99, if the parties agree on the On Aug. 21, Capt. Kristen Griest, USMA Class of 2011, and 1st Lt. consider living separate and apart from each amount of support to be paid, and a valid written Shaye Haver, USMA Class of 2012, became the fi rst female graduates other. Many states actually require a separation separation agreement refl ects the arrangement, of Ranger School at Fort Benning, Georgia. period before a divorce can be fi led. it is binding. “I speak for the entire West Point Garrison and Community If the parties do decide to separate and Support payments will be based on the when I say that we’re very proud of Capt. Griest and 1st. Lt. can come to an understanding around divorce- agreement and not the pro-rate share calculation Haver on graduating from Ranger School,” U.S. Military Academy related issues, a separation agreement should specifi ed in AR 608-99. Superintendent Lt. Gen. Robert L. Caslen Jr., said. “Throughout our be considered. history, West Point graduates have been trailblazers throughout A separation agreement is essentially a Court Ordered Support our Army and beyond, and our female graduates are certainly no Capt. Kristen contract between spouses where both parties A divorce court may also award spousal exception. Capt. Greist and 1st. Lt. Haver epitomize the resiliency Griest agree on things such as living arrangements, support or maintenance. The award is usually and mental toughness—attributes that we develop at West Point— child custody and visitation, child support, terminated either at a specifi c date set by the required to succeed as U.S.