The photograph depicts a group of all-black, all-female cadets raising their fists, a gesture associated with a controversial movement. However, this gesture has a history spanning centuries, symbolizing resistance for various groups, from labor unions to suffragists to the Black Panthers.\n\n\n\n

The Army Times obtained the photo from concerned readers, fearing a violation of Department of Defense Directive 1344:10, which discourages cadets from engaging in \u201cpartisan political activity\u201d while in uniform.\n\n\n\n

John Burk, a former soldier turned motivational coach, accused the cadets of aligning with a political movement after being contacted by an anonymous military service member expressing concern.\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a really touchy subject here,\u201d the anonymous source told Burk, according to the Daily News. \u201cWe can get kicked out of West Point, or forced to repeat years for what is called a \u2018respect board.\u2019 They can be given just for making someone upset, so no one wants to get kicked out of college \u2026 over something like this.\u201d\n\n\n\n

Burk\u2019s Facebook post gained traction, with many commenters expressing dissatisfaction with the cadets\u2019 actions.\n\n\n\n

\u201cEquality means abiding by the same standards,\u201d one commenter wrote. \u201cKick those WOMEN OUT!\u201d\n\n\n\n

\u201cAll of these cadets should be expelled, immediately!\u201d another said.\n\n\n\n

The Army\u2019s response and potential disciplinary actions, if any, are yet to be determined. The identities of the 16 cadets in the photo remain unknown.\n\n\n\n