Women in the United States Armed Forces

The United States is the land of the free. That is why it is always ahead of the pack when it comes to acknowledgement of human rights and provision of equal opportunities to wiling and qualified candidates. When it comes to women in the military, the Armed Forces of the country serves as a model that almost all other military forces worldwide are looking up to. For the longest time, the US military has been accepting women for the service. Time and again, women in the military have proven that they could do whatever their men counterparts could do. Talk about women power.

In history, the first woman soldier in the US armed forces was Massachusetts’ Deborah Sampson. She enlisted in the Continental Army under the name Robert Shurtliff. The woman served three years within the Revolutionary War. She found strategic ways to conceal her real gender to doctors and some colleagues. When her real identity was revealed, then President George Washington still awarded her an honorable discharge. Later on in her life, she gave lectures on her amazing experiences as the first American woman in the military. Thus, she instantly emerged as a women’s rights champion.

Another woman followed suit. In the middle of the 19ty century, another woman disguised as a man to be able to enter the armed forces. It was Sarah Rosetta Wakeman, who enlisted under the name Private Lyons Wakeman. Her complete account as a woman in the Union Army was described in the book ‘An Uncommon Soldier.’

To recap, during the initial years of women in the armed forces in the US, most female soldiers enlisted under male pseudonyms. In 1898, there was apolitical move to recognize women’s rights to serve and be enlisted in the military. Bu it was only in 1941 that the Woman’s Army Auxiliary Corps was founded in the country. Political moves and calls to give women equal rights in the military ensued. In 1943, legislation was finally passed to remove the ‘auxiliary’ word from the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps. Thus, women were finally made a significant part of the US military. Women soldiers took great responsibilities in the battle in the World War that followed. About 350,000 women served in the American military during World War II.

In 1989, the first woman soldier was assigned to finally command American soldiers in an actual military battle. It was the invasion of Panama. The woman was tasked to lead a force that consisted of 30 men and women. Then, the Gulf War in 1991 served as a pivotal period for women’s role in the US Armed Forces. This time, women soldiers were fully commanding attention of the world. There were numerous women in the military. Up to 40,000 women have been serving in almost each role offered by the military.

Many came under fire, but still a number of them were not allowed to take part in the most deliberate ground engagements. But now, American women soldiers are obviously in full swing.  

Women in British Armed Forces

Women were allowed to join the British Armed Forces in almost all roles. This is except those roles that are commanding primary duty to get nearby or kill an enemy. Thus, there are women in the infantry, commando, armor, Special Air Service and Airfield Defense, among the few. They are also allowed access to the special force’s support units. They are also now cleared to join Special Reconnaissance Regiment, the unpopular branch of the United Kingdom Special Forces. To date, women account for about 9% of the entire UK armed forces. Female combatants could be found across the country’s long military history.

One of the pioneers was Queen Boudica. She led Iceni tribe warriors against a host of Roman forces in 62 AD.  Her legacy has been often quoted and used to support arguments linked to calls for full acceptance of women in the national military. In 1776, about 5,000 women were accompanying British forces. Most of those women were spouses of high-ranking military officers. Many were plain wives of serving soldiers. During the time, women were only left behind in the camp while their spouses faced action. Some of them also served to accompany baggage trains, also serving as nurses or cooks.

The British Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps was established during World War I. The body was first deployed in France in 1917. At that time, many officers and high-ranking officials were already considering giving men and women fairly equal treatment within the front. In the said war, women served as cooks, clerical staff, and medical personnel. They were still not allowed to become officers amid numerous disputes regarding compensation. The Women’s Royal Naval Service was formed about the same time, but was later disbanded in 1919. The body attended to administrative support and catering. They were also electrician and communications personnel.

The Auxiliary Territorial Service was formed in 1938. There were about 20,000 women in service, though they held non-combatant roles. Incorporated in the said service was the highly important First Aid Nursing Yeomanry. The following year, the service was reformed, this time with higher range of available shore-based opportunities. By 1949, women were formally recognized as permanent in the British armed forces. However, full combatant roles were still exclusive to men soldiers. Women’s Royal Army Corps emerged. 1950 came and women enjoyed normalized ranks of men in the military.

In 1992, women organizations in the military were disbanded. Then, women officers and soldiers were effectively distributed and scattered across units where men soldiers have been actively serving. In the 21st century, no less than the media is emphasizing the women’s role in armed forces as mothers of the military. Take note that the British Armed Forces’ commander-in-chief is a woman in the person of Queen Elizabeth II. However, her role and position is considered only nominal.

Today, many more women are aiming to join the ranks of military men. Women power truly lives. Perhaps, women have proven themselves right when they assert that what men could do, they could also do.

What It Takes to be in the Armed Forces

Have you always admired military men? Do you want to be one of them in the future? Getting a career in the armed forces could be truly rewarding and promising. Soldiers are considered living heroes no matter what country you are in. That is because such men in service are always risking their lives to defend and protect the interest of the country and the government. They fight invaders and they help make sure the overall peace and orderliness in the society would be in its proper order. It is truly a noble deed to join the military.

If you want to be part of the armed forces, do not suppress your feelings. Get on to realize your ambition now. Enlist in the military and be trained to be a part of the service. It is not as exhilarating and as tiring as it seems. But it is truly rewarding enough. If you have the drive and the passion, you would not mind subjecting yourself into much disciplinary action. Besides, many men and women attest the military training makes them more of better people. You would learn how to strive more to attain excellence, honor, and integrity.

What does it take to be in the military? Here is a simple checklist that could help guide you as you contemplate to decide whether you would go and proceed to join the service or just find other professions that could suit your personality and personal purpose.

Nationalism. You would not make a good solider if you do not love the country. You have to defend the nation, its government, and its people from internal and external forces that threaten them. You have to be loyal and patriotic to make it better. This could serve as you basic motivation along the way.

Determination. The road to being a military person is often rough and relentless. That is why you should be determined enough to make it. You should be decisive and firm to stand by the important decisions you make. Without this trait in your personality, it would certainly be hard and even impossible for you to attain your goals, as always.

Physical endurance. As mentioned, the training to become a soldier could be rigorous and exhilarating. You would be subjected to a series of physical examinations to make sure you are physically qualified and ready to make it. Long physical training could be essential and necessary.

Intelligence. You should not think the military is just after physical endurance and agility. You should of course have sharp mind and healthy line of thinking. Battles fought by the military involve so much mental exhilaration as well. That is why you should prepare well for it. You would need to study and to learn more.

Luck. This one is quite relative. You could not measure your luck but you could bet on it. Just be focused on your goal to join the armed forces and intend to run until the finish line. If you make it, then luck is in your hands and if not, you could keep on going or divert to another profession.

What is Armed Forces Day?

Members of the armed forces of every country need to be honored and admired for committing their lives to protect the interest of the people and the government. Some people and governments consider members of the organization as living heroes. No one could contest the fact that soldiers are considered as important elements of the society. Governments would do anything just to honor and acknowledge the heroism and dedication of the members of the body. This is the reason why a special day is dedicated to soldiers annually. This is the main reason why there is Armed Forces Day.

What is Armed Forces Day? It is a special day assigned for the commemoration and recognition of soldiers’ unique and necessary sacrifices for the good of all. Many countries and governments all over the planet are holding annual Armed Forces Day as a way of venerating and honoring their respective military forces. Thus, the day is considered an important and emotional one for many soldiers. They are human, too. They have basic needs and they have families who are always standing behind them through thick and thin. In many cases, the day is used not just to honor the soldiers but also to honor the families and people that are behind them along the way.

Most countries celebrate Armed Forces Day, although there are differences to the timing and the manner. In some nations, the day is considered a public holiday, while in others, the day is special but not declared a special public holiday. Strong countries with bases in select regions and countries try to make it a point to have their base soldiers celebrate the day on the commemoration back home. Some countries have specific dates for the celebration, while others designate certain weekends of specific months for the day.

In the United Kingdom, the first Armed Forces Day was celebrated on June 27, 2009. The day replaced the Veterans’ Day, which in turn was first celebrated in 2006. Why the date? June 27 is also the anniversary of the Victoria Cross investiture ceremony. From then on, the country is allotting significant celebrations for the day. The first celebration of the day was held at Chatham Historic Dockyard, attended by no less than the Prime Minister and other officials of the government.

The United States is more sentimental of its veneration to its soldiers. It has been celebrating and commemorating Armed Forces Day since 1949. Every year, the country vows to its soldiers every third Saturday of May. The date also commemorates the consolidation of the US Department of Defense’s military services. The celebration is usually observed through staging of parades, air shows, receptions, and open houses. In 2009, the country observed its 50th Armed Forces Day. The celebration centered in Torrance, California, where there was the longest-running commemoration co-sponsored by the city.

In other parts of the world, Armed Forces Day is much publicized and commemorated. Nations and governments obviously recognize the significant contribution of soldiers to the society and to nations as whole.