some random notes and observations ...

women have served multiple tours, they have volunteered.
When returning to the States they face harsh threatment by the folks at home .. they are wondering and questioning their service.

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The Defense Department bars women from serving in assignments where the primary mission is to engage in direct ground combat. But the nature of the recent conflicts, with no clear front lines, puts women in the middle of the action, in roles such as military police officers, pilots, drivers and gunners on convoys.

In addition to the 120-plus deaths, more than 650 women have been wounded.

People assume they are just girlfriends or wives of military men. "Oh, you didn't do anything or you were just on base," is heard by these women, many who suffer from postconcussive headaches, ringing ears, and other health problems related to roadside bomb blasts and not from loud music.

Female service members have much higher rates of divorce and are more likely to be a single parent. When they do seek help at VA medical centers, they are screening positive at a higher rate for military sexual trauma, meaning they indicated experiencing sexual harassment, assault or rape. Some studies have shown that female veterans are at greater risk for homelessness.

Often, the same guys who were their buddies in the middle East battle ground, once at home, don't invite the women buddies for get togethers because the wives or girlfriends may not approve.


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