In a groundbreaking moment for gender equality in higher education, Shannon Faulkner entered The Citadel in South Carolina, thus becoming the first female to officially enroll at the military college. For decades, The Citadel had staunchly maintained its all-male admission policy, which was supported by many alumni and faculty who believed that the institution's military environment was incompatible with female cadets. Faulkner's admission came after a long legal battle, which included a federal ruling that mandated The Citadel to open its doors to women. This decision was a part of a larger trend within the United States during the 1990s, where numerous military and military-style institutions were being challenged to reconsider their policies on gender.Despite her historic enrollment, Faulkner faced considerable challenges soon after joining. The military culture at The Citadel was notorious for its strict rules and rigorous physical training, which proved to be overwhelming for Faulkner. She quickly encountered hostile attitudes from some of her male peers and faculty, leading to a difficult acclimatization process. Within days, the stress and pressure culminated in her decision to withdraw from the program, making her tenure as the first female cadet incredibly brief yet impactful. Her drop-out after just six days echoed the complexities of integrating women into historically male institutions and raised questions about support systems for female cadets in such intense environments.