From a Feminist Point of View

Many individuals are adamant about the belief that women cannot be 'trained killers'- women will freeze up and hesitate when it comes down to actually pulling the trigger. As this article so eloquently states, mindsets have nothing to do with what lies between your legs. Many also argue that men are the protectors of women, and therefore women should not be in the military. I love this quote by Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, Civil War Medal Honors recipient: "You men are not our protectors... if you were, who would there be to protect us from?" I think this quote relates very well to the afforementioned topic of rape and sexual assault by military men. The article also makes a great point on women's behalf: Nowadays, most fighting is done using technology, and women are just as capable of working technological devices as men. Pretty much gone are the days of sword-fighting and slitting throats.


Women Receive Worse Out-Patient Care Than Men

Women make up only about 5% of the Veteran's Affairs population, but according to this article, that number is expected to double in the next few years as more women return from combat and seek care. 1/3 of the facilities offered to women are not as good as the facilities offered to men. The Veteran's Affairs is currently attempting to make women's facilities comparable to men's, and is hiring professionals specializing in women's cares, is adding mammography equipment, and is 'broadening its approach to better address diseases prevelant among women such as lung cancer.' I think it's understandable that as of right now the services offered to women soldiers are not as good as men's- I mean, women only reccently started taking an active role in the military, so it's only common sense that there was not female specialists and feminine equipment. Now that more and more women are in the military, more and more women will need to seek treatment, so hopefully efforts to serve women are continued so these brave women can receive the care they deserve.


Care of Female Soldiers

"Chicks love scars [on men]. Well do guys love scars [on women]? I don't know," Danielle Green Byrd, a soldier wounded in Iraq from a hand grenade stated. The article says 'At war they tried to be just one of the boys. At home, they struggle to be a woman again.' Returning from war a wounded soldier is very hard indeed. Many women struggle with the prospect they can never be 'girlie' again- amputees are unable to wear high heels, individuals with missing limbs are unable to paint nails again, and even fasten bras themselves. A military camp strictly for women has been created, and military women are able to bond with other women soldiers and discuss wartime issues and challenges they are facing today due to injury in war. Women value girl-time, and men value guy-time, and I think this camp is a great way for women to play the role of 'counselor' and listen to eachother, as well as learn how to still be feminine even though 'feminine' parts of the body are severed or missing.