Miscarriage in the Military

Miscarriage in the Military

Theresa wanted to get away from her hometown and when her parents would not support her in attending Howard University in Virginia she decided to join the Marine Corps. She began her career in the Marines and the day before she turned twenty she was married and she began planning for her future by saving […]

How an injury led to advocacy for women veterans

How an injury led to advocacy for women veterans

Women veterans with spinal cord injuries or disorders make up a small, but important population among women veterans. In America, women account for about 20 percent of spinal cord injuries. Among women veterans, that number shrinks to three percent. Because this cohort is so small, the Department of Veterans Affairs had not developed much in […]

Military Transition Experience – Looking back

Military Transition Experience – Looking back

Have you ever seen one of those cartoons where a character thinks they’re all set to head out toward a shimmering oasis of palm trees and gorgeous water and then it flashes forward to them discovering they were actually heading toward a mirage and now they’re stuck in a barren wasteland with no water or […]

From Women’s Army Corps to Operation Desert Storm

From Women’s Army Corps to Operation Desert Storm

Pennylee Deere began her military service in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) and served in Desert Storm/Desert Shield. Her career spans 20 years, from 1975 -1995. It was interesting to hear her experience having begun her service as part of the WAC and then transferring over to the US Army in 1978. She also shared […]

Unintentional Trailblazers – The WASP of WWII

Unintentional Trailblazers – The WASP of WWII

“I’m going to be the first! The youngest! The oldest! The [insert superlative here]!” When people aspire to be a trailblazer, they often make it known. The public follows their journey. Cheering them along. And at times even supporting them financially or otherwise.  But what about the unintentional trailblazers? The ones who happened to be […]

How to become a Warrant Officer in the Army

How to become a Warrant Officer in the Army

Phyllis enlisted in the Army and then transitioned to become a Warrant Officer in the Army. She eventually reached the rank of Chief Warrant Officer five. She is the current president at the Women’s in Military Service for America Memorial in Washington DC. The Women’s Memorial is the only memorial honoring the 3 million women […]

The onset of Female Engagement Teams

The onset of Female Engagement Teams

Amy Forsythe served on five combat tours as a correspondent and Public Affairs Officer. In 2006, she was part of the first-ever Female Engagement Teams in Iraq. I am excited to share her story this week on the podcast as I have done a lot of research about Female Engagement Teams, but have found limited […]