Actually, women in the service academies started in 1976. Ford was still president then.
Yep, I miscued on that one. GRF was indeed prez at that time. Odd thing, too, because a young lady that was two grades behind me in high school was selected to go in the first class for women at West Point.
My point remains, however, that the military has been the focal point of social issues before. I don't see that changing anytime soon.