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This Veteran's Day, I am thinking about the incredible women in the military that inspire me. Admiral Michelle Howard, the highest-ranking woman in Naval history. Maj. M.J. Hegar, a commander of an Air National Guard helicopter who completed over a hundred search-and-rescue missions in Afghanistan. But most of all, it is the women in my unit who show me what females in the military can achieve.
Historically, war was what defined manhood. But when I look around every day, I see something different. In 2014, we have women becoming Marine Generals. We have female pilots, translators, and Commandants. These are women who know how to take the lead.
The women who truly opened my eyes to what is achievable are the ones I serve with, and they make me so proud. Less than 1% of Americans are in the military, and women are only 14-18% (depending on the branch) of that 1%. So I feel an obligation - and an exciting opportunity - to reach out to these women.
That is why, along with four other "Founding Mothers," I started a Lean In Circle for women in the military. Circles are small peer groups who meet in order to learn and grow together, and that is exactly what we do. We work together to empower the military's female leaders of tomorrow. We guide and mentor junior women and encourage them to embrace leadership in a field long dominated by men. For example, my fellow Circle member and I went to the University of Minnesota to participate in a panel on Non-Traditional Career Paths For Women. We were proud to stand beside female firefighters and police officers to show female students that there is no job they can't do, and no place they can't go.
We also work to strengthen the ties of military women across the globe. We formed the Lean In Military Network - a group to get women stationed around the world connected and talking. There are so many ways we are building a community, whether it's chatting on Facebook or finding each other through RallyPoint - the military network that is a powerful new tool for active service members and veterans alike. Whether it's sharing advice or trading stories about what it's like to go to your son's parent-teacher conference in uniform, I feel more bonded with these women than ever, and I’m proud of the ways my Circle is bringing them together.
This Veteran's Day, I am celebrating the women whose service makes our military and our country a better place. I hope you'll join me.
Comment below or start the conversation here and connect within the military community.
Erika Cashin is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force and the founder of the Lean In Northern Lights Circle in Minneapolis, MN. To learn more about how you can join a Lean In Circle, go to leanin.org/circles.
*These opinions belong to the writer and in no way reflect the views of the DoD or other departments of the US government.
Historically, war was what defined manhood. But when I look around every day, I see something different. In 2014, we have women becoming Marine Generals. We have female pilots, translators, and Commandants. These are women who know how to take the lead.
The women who truly opened my eyes to what is achievable are the ones I serve with, and they make me so proud. Less than 1% of Americans are in the military, and women are only 14-18% (depending on the branch) of that 1%. So I feel an obligation - and an exciting opportunity - to reach out to these women.
That is why, along with four other "Founding Mothers," I started a Lean In Circle for women in the military. Circles are small peer groups who meet in order to learn and grow together, and that is exactly what we do. We work together to empower the military's female leaders of tomorrow. We guide and mentor junior women and encourage them to embrace leadership in a field long dominated by men. For example, my fellow Circle member and I went to the University of Minnesota to participate in a panel on Non-Traditional Career Paths For Women. We were proud to stand beside female firefighters and police officers to show female students that there is no job they can't do, and no place they can't go.
We also work to strengthen the ties of military women across the globe. We formed the Lean In Military Network - a group to get women stationed around the world connected and talking. There are so many ways we are building a community, whether it's chatting on Facebook or finding each other through RallyPoint - the military network that is a powerful new tool for active service members and veterans alike. Whether it's sharing advice or trading stories about what it's like to go to your son's parent-teacher conference in uniform, I feel more bonded with these women than ever, and I’m proud of the ways my Circle is bringing them together.
This Veteran's Day, I am celebrating the women whose service makes our military and our country a better place. I hope you'll join me.
Comment below or start the conversation here and connect within the military community.
Erika Cashin is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force and the founder of the Lean In Northern Lights Circle in Minneapolis, MN. To learn more about how you can join a Lean In Circle, go to leanin.org/circles.
*These opinions belong to the writer and in no way reflect the views of the DoD or other departments of the US government.
Veterans Day
Women in the Military
Command Post
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 46
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When my husband and I first moved to this town, one of the first American Legion members we met was a WWII female Marine. She proudly states that she was in the only female Marine Corps band during WWII and played the euphonium. This birthday, I got her a T-shirt and 2 coins.
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Sgt Samantha Jee
Thank you! I'll take a better picture today, since she's always been a part of our ceremonies. I tried to convince her to ride in the parade, but she wants to sell poppies instead.
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If you are ever in the DC area j would encourage everyone to visit the Women in Military Service Memorial. It's a great place to get a lot of history as discussed here and see true stories of women who served. Their exhibit on Nurses in Vietnsm I thought was amazing
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LTC Richard Wasserman. I have come such a very long way from living outside the wire of Soviet Uranium Mines in Czechslovakia . . . through so many conflicts and disasters . . . to finally consider coming to rest on Ventura Beach between Malibu and Santa Barbara. But, I worry about the many good people still in harm's way . . . it is very hard to even consider settling down to a much more peaceful, secure, and quieter life. Warmest Regards, Sandy
We should all be thankful to be so blessed we can make a difference in the lives of many others.
We should all be thankful to be so blessed we can make a difference in the lives of many others.
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LTJG Sandra Smith
My Mom was a WW II Navy nurse & sent photos & such from her time in NewGuinea to that memorial.
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LTJG Sandra Smith
SSG Maurice P. Excuse me??? My Mom was a WW II Navy nurse & I served during the Vietnam/ Cold War era, also as a Navy nurse! There were a lot of us. In fact women began serving quite early in the LAST century. Just a month ago the Navy Nurse Corps celebrated its113th anniversary, & the Army Nurse Corps is a couple or so yrs older. My Aunt was a woman Marine during WW II also. We galshave been serving far longer than you seem to think...
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Lt Col (Join to see), I don't personally know this woman, but I wish I did! U.S. Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (representing Hawai'i's second U.S. Congressional District) will be sworn in to her second term when Congress reconvenes on January 6, 2015. She is also a captain in the Hawai'i Army National Guard and should be celebrated.
We went to the same OCS, just 34 years apart!
FYI, SSG Gerhard S. Col Rebecca Lorraine
1LT Sandy Annala and PV2 (Join to see) and Capt (Join to see) and CPT Carrie P. COL Kelly Zachgo SPC Nancy Greene SPC Diana D. PO3 Phyllis Maynard SGT Robert Pryor
CPT (Join to see) (CPT Gabbard is AMA 51A) Maj Kim Patterson GySgt Melissa Gravila
We went to the same OCS, just 34 years apart!
FYI, SSG Gerhard S. Col Rebecca Lorraine
1LT Sandy Annala and PV2 (Join to see) and Capt (Join to see) and CPT Carrie P. COL Kelly Zachgo SPC Nancy Greene SPC Diana D. PO3 Phyllis Maynard SGT Robert Pryor
CPT (Join to see) (CPT Gabbard is AMA 51A) Maj Kim Patterson GySgt Melissa Gravila
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SGT Robert Pryor
LTC Stephen C.. MAJ (Join to see) is a member of Rally Point. I wish I knew her too. And I wish she were the Democratic nominee for POTUS.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
actually Tulsi Gabbard was a Major in the National Guard. Prior to becoming an Officer She also had held all the enlisted rank from E1 up to SP4. She recently has changed from the Hawaii Guard to Army Reserve as a Major. She has served two tours also in the Mid East with the Army. She had already held a number of elected offices within the State of Hawaii before being elected to the US Congress. She is very Patriotic and I feel someone that may well have a great Political future in store for Her. She does think for Herself and if something is wrong has no hesitation exposing it and that included some major problems in the Democratic party of which She is a member. I do have a very positive impression of Her including something rarely found in politics, honesty !
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LTC Stephen C.
I actually met LTC Tulsi Gabbbard recently. She was the keynote speaker at the 200th Regiment Regional Training Institute military ball on 26AUG23 at Fort McClellan, AL. The 200th was her source of commission in 2007 and mine in 1973, although then it was known as the Alabama Military Academy.
She's an incredibly principled woman and soldier, and gave an inspiring message to the recently commissioned second lieutenants!
SMSgt Lawrence McCarter SGT Robert Pryor GySgt Melissa Gravila SSgt (Join to see)
She's an incredibly principled woman and soldier, and gave an inspiring message to the recently commissioned second lieutenants!
SMSgt Lawrence McCarter SGT Robert Pryor GySgt Melissa Gravila SSgt (Join to see)
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