Being a Female Soldier

Being a woman in the military is a tough role to play, I am a thirteen year veteran. I remember every step of the way having to prove myself double what my male counterparts had to.

I worked on weapons, I chose this profession in the military because of my fear of guns. My father and uncle came back from Vietnam and took their lives with guns, my fear was something that I had lived with all of my life, until the military gave me the opportunity to work on them. I figured if I could rip them down and repair them, I could gain more control over my fear. I succeeded and became the best weapons repairman at every unit that I was stationed at over the next thirteen years.

I remember a specific warrant officer who gave me made it a point to make my life a living hell. I was the only female repairman in each of my assignments. I remember a bitter cold field training exercise in Grafenwoehr, Germany. We had been there for about two months, at that time, I would not have wished that place on my worst enemy and could not wait to get back to garrison. The company was about to roll out, when our warrant officer called me to the side and said he wanted me to stay for an additional four week training period. I had no clue this guy had the time of day for me. I found out that day that all the hard times that he had given me was his way of making me work harder. He actually did recognize my talent. When I was ready to leave this unit, he said if he could he would have given me a .50 caliber machine gun as a going away present. I was never so proud. Finally some recognition for all my hard work and study.

This warrant's faith in me stayed with me through out my military career. I always remembered it when the times got rough. Being a female in the military is a tough job, it seemed no matter what, you were always working twice as hard to show you could do the job. It seemed that no matter what you did, your female body parts were always noticed, you are always out numbered by at least 30 to 40 men in a unit, if you worked in the maintenance field.

I am a civilian today and I am proud of my father and other family members who served in Vietnam. I am proud to work with the veterans that walk through the door at my place of employment today. I am proud of every man and woman in uniform and have the utmost respect for them as they defend our country and continue to serve unselfishly, but I have to say I am especially proud of my female comrades, I know it is a tough road to travel and that you have to work at everyday.

I have been out for about 9 years now, I see a lot of our National Guard and Reservists being deployed introducing more females to the war time situation. I served in the first gulf war, went through the whole mess of the military not being prepared for the female on the battlefield. It was a nightmare, feminine hygiene products were not on the military inventory, hopefully it is now. Thank god for care packages and TP.

I will end this with saying, I would not trade my time in the military for anything, it made me a stronger woman, a better person and a prouder American.