Women in the Military

Women have always been an important part of our nation’s armed forces, from the Revolutionary War to today. While their inclusion in the military continues to grow, however, women still face many obstacles serving in organizations that were designed for men.

History of Women in the Military

In the early days of the U.S., women were known mainly for the auxiliary roles they played during wartime. Molly Pitcher carried water to thirsty soldiers on the battlefield, and Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag, to raise the morale of the troops.

Women weren’t legally allowed to serve in the military until the turn of the 20th century, when the Army and Navy Nurse Corps was established. And, it wasn’t until the 1970’s that women could attend elite military institutions like West Point and serve in the Air Force, Marine Corps, or Navy. The military roles open to women were widely expanded again in the 1990’s, and today more than 15% of active duty forces are women.

Issues Faced By Women in the Military

Just because more and more women are courageously signing up to serve their country, that doesn’t mean that the choice they made was easy. In fact, military service presents many specific issues for women, that civilian women might not face.

  • Health Issues: The military medical system and VA hospitals were designed to serve men, and this lack of inclusion manifests itself in many ways. The VA has been lambasted for not having an adequate staff to deal with gender-specific health issues like mammograms and PAP smears, not to mention the lack of female-specific accommodation in some VA hospitals. The VA system also lacks adequate counseling and psychological services specifically for women soldiers dealing with post-traumatic stress or another mental illness.
  • Sexual Assault and Rape: The “boy’s club” mentality of the military goes way beyond its institutional structure; it also pervades its culture at every level. Studies have reported terribly high levels of rape and sexual assault in the military, with 20-40% of women reporting some form of sexual harassment or rape during their service. The hierarchy of the military contributes to this problem, as women that are assaulted by a higher-up are unlikely to report it, due to fear or receiving a dishonorable discharge or another punishment.
  • Issues of Children and Family: Even as social pressure has broken down the idea that a woman’s place is in the home, it hasn’t remedied the fact that many women remain the primary caretakers of the family, even as they work full-time. This is particularly apparent for servicewomen, who must go through the painful process of breaking the bonds with their children and families every time they are  deployed. Upon returning from service, many women are forced into the dual role of full-time caretaker and breadwinner, something that male soldiers rarely face. Many women veterans have trouble finding affordable child care, to allow them to find a civilian job or attend counseling for the mental health issues that can manifest after military service.

For Help and Information:

 

Sources:

California’s Women Veterans. (2009) California Research Bureau.

Women Veterans Issues. (2010) United States Department of Veterans Affairs.