The Citadel's first female cadet and three of her male counterparts were held in the infirmary overnight, awaiting examination by a doctor after falling ill in 100-degree heat during the first day of "hell week."
Shannon Faulkner spent Monday morning, her first as a cadet, learning to march, salute and follow orders.In the afternoon, as the temperature crept higher, she became ill during the routine of marching, shouting, saluting and more marching that the school calls "training by stress" and cadets call "hell week."
The 20-year-old cadet, who waged a 21/2-year legal battle to be admitted to the previously all-male school, was among five of the 591 incoming cadets treated for heat-related illnesses. The school had posted a "black flag" heat warning, telling cadets to drink a lot of water and move physical training indoors.
Faulkner first went to the infirmary after lunch and stayed about two hours, said Citadel spokesman Terry Leedom. She returned later and was held overnight for observation, as were three of the four male cadets who fell ill. They would be held until a doctor could examine them, which might take until midday because the infirmary has no doctor on staff and must bring one in, he said.
Faulkner and the other ill cadets missed Tuesday's welcoming remarks by Citadel President Claudius Watts. He made no mention of Faulkner during his talk to the new cadets.
"If you are willing to pay the price, if you are willing to invest your time, you will succeed," Watts said.
Training started early Monday for Faulkner, who was the first member of her company to report for the morning roll call around 5:30 a.m. She was issued a uniform and instructed in drilling. After breakfast, her company drilled for two hours, then picked up name tags and gray duty uniforms at the cadet store.