Toreaser A. Steele
From USAFA Folklore
Toreaser A. Steele was assigned to the Academy from 1986 to 1990. A captain when she arrived, she was a colonel (select) when she departed. She is best known for having a very strong feminist agenda.
[edit] Trivia
- As the AOC for Cadet Squadron 6 she was said to have put all the female cadets on the Commandant's List. She also put as many females in squadron staff positions as possible.
- As the Third Group Air Officer Commanding, she banned sunbathing in the quads (presumably to reduce the objectification of women). She also banned any kind of sexist picture from being displayed in cadet rooms.
- She attempted to ban "flat top" hair cuts, because she thought they were faddish and not "military". Rumor had it that the Deputy Commandant at the time, Colonel Martin T. Daack, Class of 1966, stopped the "no flat tops" campaign by showing her a picture of himself as a cadet, with a flat top.
- Upon her departure from the Academy, she was awarded the Plaque and Sabre on the Staff Tower at lunch. The third group commander, who was presenting the award, started "Lt. Col. Steele is leaving the Academy..." The cadet wing immediately erupted into loud, sustained applause and cheering. The speaker waited for it settle down and resumed from the beginning, with "Lt. Col. Steele is leaving the Academy..." He was again drowned out by loud and sustained applause and cheering. Finally, after giving a reminder regarding professionalism, he resumed reading after the part about her leaving.
- Cadets and grads marveled at the speed of her promotion, going from O-3 to O-6(s) in a remarkably short time.
