The change of command ceremony for the 76th Commandant of the U.S. Corps of Cadets (USCC) was typical in nearly every respect. There was the ceremonial passing of the organizational colors. There were nods of recognition to general officers and distinguished guests in attendance. There was the playing of the Army Song. Yet, this was no ordinary change of command ceremony. This one was historic. For the first time in its history, a woman, BG Diana M. Holland ’90, was assuming the position of Commandant at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point (USMA).
Photo: Courtesy of Staff Sgt. Vito T. Bryant/ USMA Public Affairs
“Time magazine got it wrong,” said LTG Robert L. Caslen ’75, USMA Superintendent, recognizing the accomplishments of the three female grads who graduated from Ranger School in 2015, the selection of MG Nadja West ’82 as the Army’s surgeon general, and now Holland’s promotion. “It should have recognized the women of the U.S. Army as its ‘Persons of the Year.’”
During her remarks, Holland noted that the historic nature of the ceremony had more to do with her height than her gender. “The significance stems from the fact that I’ll be the first Commandant who is too short to see over the Poop Deck,” Holland joked, “but apparently seeing over the Poop Deck without a stepstool is not a minimum requirement for the position.”
But, as her Howitzer entry foretold, gender and height have never been obstacles to Holland, who was most recently serving as the Deputy Commanding General (Support), 10th Mountain Division (Light), Fort Drum, NY before replacing MG John C. Thompson ’86 as Commandant. “We knew Diana was destined for greatness when she won the drill-off in Beast,” wrote her roommate of three years, Beth Richards ’90. “Look for her 5’1” frame in her pick-up truck back at West Point in a few years as a History ‘P’ and many years later as Supe.”
“As her neighbor on Post, I can personally vouch for the pick-up track,” said Caslen, “and she did come back to teach History, and there is still time left to fulfill the rest of her Howitzer prophecy.” For now, Caslen anticipates Holland keeping the “M” in USMA strong: “The Commandant is the ‘M,’ the ‘Military,’ in the U.S. Military Academy, responsible for the military, physical, character and social development of more than 4,600 cadets.” As a member of “The Proud and Mighty, Class of 1990,” the Class that also gave the West Point Kristin Baker as USCC’s first female First Captain, Holland is no doubt be ready for the challenge.