Women in the Military

1. Women in the Military Dr. Elena Klaw

2. Goals • Lioness: Film Clip (20 minutes) • Policy vs. reality of women in combat • Unique challenges • Reasons women warriors may not seek help

3. Policies vs. Reality on Women in the Military • Disconnect between (1994) policy excluding women from ground combat and reality of what women do in GWT • So women are in ground combat but not necessarily trained for combat (e.g. to use highest casualty weapons and drive a tank), policy hasn’t caught up with practice • Women need full scope of training that men get or they are at greater risk and seen as a liability by men • Need to learn same language to work across branches • Grey zone: women must violate policy to do their jobs

4. Gender and Challenges • Equipment not built for women’s bodies-more back and foot problems as a result • Lack of safe, sanitary conditions for women to deal with relieving themselves, menstruation, or pregnancy • Gender role conflicts, especially for warriors who are mothers or want to start families • Single parenting for moms or dads • No credit or recognition from public, isolation • Sexual harassment and military sexual trauma

5. Reasons Women May not Seek Help • Don’t want to seem weak • Lack of recognition of the reality of their service in the VA and validity of PTSD • Family caretaking responsibilities • Don’t want to worry other people • Isolation from mostly male vet groups