It is quite fitting that I write this on Veteran’s Day. It is a day to honor those who have served our country and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice so we can continue our lives in freedom without fear. I have served with members of every race, religion, and sex possible, each with their own amazing strengths and stories. On this day, I want to explain some of the most amazing veterans I have worked with, and they all share a common theme. They are women. The challenges these heroes face and the adversity caused by their sex, is a tribute to the American drive.
To understand the challenges that veterans are facing today, first we must understand the ever-changing landscape of modern veterans. The ages vary from 17 to mid and late 40’s with the average age of veterans coming back from tours in Iraq and Afghanistan at 27. While this may not be as young as the typical service member in World War II, the number of troops returning and those with illness or disability are the highest of any war.
Another drastic change between the wars of yester years and current events is the progression and involvement of women in combat (Clemmitt, 2009). The involvement of women in military operations is similar to the plight of African Americans during segregation. Both minorities withstood trials and tribulations and eventually were more widely accepted in military roles. The current military force is 14% women, which roughly translates to 200,000 women currently serving their country; up from just 2% about 40 years ago.
I have seen firsthand the hurdles still facing women in combat. The sexual assaults reported in war zones have increased over the past decade and women still are not accepted into certain operational positions. The logic of this decision was made present at my time in survival school. Men are psychologically “wired” to protect women, even at battle. By placing women in these positions, it is feared that missions would be compromised by men protecting women.
As these women return from battle, they fall into the same ruts as any veterans. I have close female friends who have dealt with the mental trauma of war operations and remain receiving treatment for the psychological stresses associated with war. I have also had the opportunity to spend time with a few returning females who have suffered combat related injuries. They are a tale of inspiration to me personally. The few that I have met have never felt wronged or complained for their loss; rather they are still proud to have served. I was speaking to one veteran who had lost her arm in an explosion and as we traded war stories and talked I remember asking if she would go back and change the events if she could. Her answer was a resounding “No.” This veteran, who had lost so much, would still sacrifice her body for a country that allows citizens to protest outside of soldier’s funerals. She has been a model of perseverance for myself and I am sure many others around her. She, as well as many other female veterans, continue to face challenges in their service.
With the demographics of veterans changing every year, the conditions affecting these veterans are as varying as the service members themselves. A common accepted logic is that veterans face more challenges while in Iraq/Afghanistan serving in combat. However, in my case as well as many others, it seems the majority of hardships occur after returning home. These challenges can be the most detrimental and hardest to overcome.
Clemmitt, M. (2009, November 13). Women in the military. Retrieved on October 21, 2011 from the CQ Researcher database.
The woman on the left is a close friend, Josie Harshe. She was a member of the first all-female combat aircrew in Iraq.
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