C A R 4 A Black Leader for Army West Point names an old grad to a top job- and polishes its appeal When Fred Gorden graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1962, he was the only black among 600 cadets. This fall he returned to the Point-as Brig. Gen. Frederick Augus- tus Gorden, the first black officer ever to command the cadet corps. As commandant of cadets, Gorden, 47, holds one of the most significant posts in the Army: he is chiefly responsible for the military instruction and student life of thousands of future mili- tary leaders. The symbolic significance hardly needs discussion. "All he has to do is stand there" to make a point with talented black prospects, says Maj. Richard Sutton, director of the Point's equal admissions office. Gorden, one of five three-star gener- als in the Army who are black, is "walking, talking" proof that blacks can succeed in the military, Sutton says. More than 28 percent of the Army's sol- diers are black, but only 9.3 percent of its officers are. To adjust that balance, more blacks will have to be attracted to West Point's 4,479-cadet corps, which is now 8 percent black, 3.9 percent Hispanic and about 11 percent female. Academy offi- cials, who have mounted a vigorous recruit- ment effort, would like to see the percent- age of black cadets equal their 12 percent representation in the general population. Attrition is also a concern. While the rigors of West Point work cause a 20 percent drop- out rate for a typical class, attri- tion among blacks, although only a few percentage points higher, has a much more dra- matic effect. As Gorden himself recalls, "Two of us [blacks] started at the academy in 1958 and only I graduated. That was a 50 percent attrition rate." Hierarchical hassles: The ad- ministration blames shaky aca- demic preparation and the Point's hierarchical social sys- tem for much of the black at- trition. Academy recruitment officers and Gorden, while in- sisting that racial problems are rare, maintain a large equal- opportunity office both to ap- peal to prospective minority ca- dets and to counsel the ones they have. Officials who deny the existence of racial tension Command MARK PtIRISIOFF--U S ARMY Walking, talking proof: Gorden at his post are also quick to add that the penalties for racism are severe, including possible ex- pulsion. "I don't think anyone would dare say anything even if they were racist," said Cadet Bennie Webb, who is black. As commandant, Gorden functions as a cross between dean of students and troop commander, guiding cadets' military and extracurricular activities. It is another stride in a military career that has already seen Gorden direct Department of Defense activities in Central and South America, earn the Bronze Star for hetoism in Viet- nam and win the Defense Distinguished Service Medal for meritorious achieve- ment in noncombat posts. Gorden grew up in what he describes as an integrated Michigan suburb, where he was raised by his aunt and his uncle, a factory worker, and he chose West Point at the urging of his congressman. Although Gorden claims to have suffered little dis- crimination at the Point, he-and the oth- er three blacks in the whole corps at the time-spent a lot of hours together both in and out of class. Gorden met his wife, an "Army brat," on a blind date at the cadet theater. After graduation, Gorden volun- teered for duty in Vietnam and after his return was selected to attend the National War College. He has two daughters, 18 and 23, but allows that neither seems to be interested in a military career. Gorden credits the Army with being more concerned with minorities than many other institutions. "I doubt anything ever moves as quickly as you would like it to, but I have been promoted well ahead of people who have the same experience and service," Gorden says. Black cadets say they take heart from his appointment. While overt racism is rare, misunderstand- ings do crop up, and the overriding political inclination of cadets is conservative. His classmates, according to Cadet Webb, couldn't understand why he objected to the appointment of Robert Bork to the Su- preme Court. "This is the most conserva- tive place I've ever been," Webb declares. Stars and Bars: Still, he credits cadets with far more sensitivity than their counter- parts at some other colleges. At a West Point basketball game against the Citadel, a South Carolina military school that has been rocked by racial tensions, a group of visiting Citadel students waved a large Stars and Bars in the stands. "I found it offensive. They found it a symbol of pride," says Webb. "I'm from the South, and I never took a lot of pride in it." What was more telling, however, was that a group of white West Point ca- dets ran into the stands, at one point, grabbed the flag and threw it away. According to affirmative-ac- tion officer Sutton, West Point is trying to minimize hostilities before they occur. A seminar on contemporary issues has evolved into a group rap about social tensions inside and out- side the academy. "I'm not na- E ive enough to say there isn't any racism going on," says Sut- ton. Like many officers, howev- er, he expects Gorden's com- mand will make brotherhood A--U.S. ARMY easier to teach. VINCENT GUARIGLI ing presence: With alumni leader Michael D avison ROSE ARCE in West Point NOVEMBER 1987 , 30 NEWSWEEK ON CAMPUS