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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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I had the honor of serving under the command of the first female commander of an attack helicopter company (D. Co., 2nd BN (Attack)/123rd AVN, USAR). She was mobilized for Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm as a Chinook pilot and ended up setting up the flight controls program to prevent mid-air collisions among the many nations that were providing air support in Saudi Arabia during the Desert Shield portion of the operation.
I also graduated High School with Mary Ranaldi, who went on to the Air Force Academy and became the first female F-16 pilot in the Minnesota Air National Guard. Both women are true heroes in my book.
I also graduated High School with Mary Ranaldi, who went on to the Air Force Academy and became the first female F-16 pilot in the Minnesota Air National Guard. Both women are true heroes in my book.
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Lt Col (Join to see)
That's awesome SSG Bisbee!
In my opinion, many good things come out of Duluth. :)
In my opinion, many good things come out of Duluth. :)
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Leigh Ann Hester who was a soldier in my battalion. She is an American Hero.
http://www.womensmemorial.org/Education/WHM08KitUSA.html
http://www.womensmemorial.org/Education/WHM08KitUSA.html
Women In Military Service For America Memorial
When a 19 year old from Bowling Green, KY, enlisted in the Army National Guard in 2001, she probably never dreamed she’d become an American hero or that she’d make it into the history books—but that’s exactly what SGT Leigh Ann Hester did in 2005. Her actions during an enemy ambush on a US supply convoy made her an American hero. Being awarded the Silver Star—the nation’s third highest award for valor—for her actions that day, gave her a...
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LTC Stephen C.
This is an old thread, I know, SGT William Howell, but here’s an update I thought might be of interest to you. I learned recently (courtesy of SFC William Farrell that Leigh Ann Hester is a detective with the Franklin, TN police department! She was promoted to detective on June 9, 2017. Franklin is my hometown, and I didn’t even know!
As far as military service goes, she’s a sergeant first class with the TNARNG.
Lt Col (Join to see) SPC Diana D. PO3 Phyllis Maynard SGT Robert Pryor
As far as military service goes, she’s a sergeant first class with the TNARNG.
Lt Col (Join to see) SPC Diana D. PO3 Phyllis Maynard SGT Robert Pryor
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I don't have any pictures of her in uniform, but my grandmother was a Marine (I only say was because she passed in '08). She met my grandfather, who was also a Marine, when they were stationed in Hawaii.
After she left the Corps, she became government service and retired from Ft. Sam Houston as a regional finance manager for the Army. She was the strongest woman I ever met and her serving was a big motivator for me and my 2 brothers to serve (I was Army and Navy, 1 brother is Army the other Marines).
After she left the Corps, she became government service and retired from Ft. Sam Houston as a regional finance manager for the Army. She was the strongest woman I ever met and her serving was a big motivator for me and my 2 brothers to serve (I was Army and Navy, 1 brother is Army the other Marines).
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LtCol Robert Quinter
My mother. One of the initial women in the Marine Corps in WWII. Basic training at Hunter College.
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I am a student of history. Don't blame school for setting me on this path. My history teachers did all they could to dissuade me with arcane dates and events that could be checked easily with true/false, multiple choice, and fill in the blanks quizzes and exams. What they failed to realize is that "history" is "our story", a continuum that lives and flows through each and every one of us.
This is a story about women as well as men. Sadly, my teachers neglected this important fact. I had to learn it on my own.
One only has to see a painting of a revolutionary war battle with women helping service the artillery in the heat of battle (artillery in those days was not fired from a great distance in the rear), to be shocked into realizing that they played a greater role than ever mentioned in history books and historical films.
The WAC (Women's Army Corps) may have done more to harm the image of women and their contributions to America's defense than it helped. It came into existence about the time I was born and was disbanded a few years after I left the Army. I remember marching along side them at a retirement ceremony when I was in BCT. Their sergeants could make our DIs blush with their language. I believe that, like the revolutionary scene described above, women contributed more without any need for a separate but equal branch of service.
I'm not just talking about women who served in battle or who cared for the wounded as nurses and doctors. America's vast superiority at producing war material could not have existed without Rosy the Riveter and she is the paradigm of many other female heroes. Without them, our armies and navies would have not enjoyed the material advantages they held over the enemies of WWII.
Men and women are physiologically different from men. So what? For a time, I sailed on tall ships. Women climbed those masts and wrestled sails alongside me, and I had no reservation about hearing of them moving into roles in the armed services alongside the men. They have other strengths that compliment those normally associated with men, strengths that greatly enhance the military. Thus, I suggest that we celebrate rather than merely tolerate those differences.
This is a story about women as well as men. Sadly, my teachers neglected this important fact. I had to learn it on my own.
One only has to see a painting of a revolutionary war battle with women helping service the artillery in the heat of battle (artillery in those days was not fired from a great distance in the rear), to be shocked into realizing that they played a greater role than ever mentioned in history books and historical films.
The WAC (Women's Army Corps) may have done more to harm the image of women and their contributions to America's defense than it helped. It came into existence about the time I was born and was disbanded a few years after I left the Army. I remember marching along side them at a retirement ceremony when I was in BCT. Their sergeants could make our DIs blush with their language. I believe that, like the revolutionary scene described above, women contributed more without any need for a separate but equal branch of service.
I'm not just talking about women who served in battle or who cared for the wounded as nurses and doctors. America's vast superiority at producing war material could not have existed without Rosy the Riveter and she is the paradigm of many other female heroes. Without them, our armies and navies would have not enjoyed the material advantages they held over the enemies of WWII.
Men and women are physiologically different from men. So what? For a time, I sailed on tall ships. Women climbed those masts and wrestled sails alongside me, and I had no reservation about hearing of them moving into roles in the armed services alongside the men. They have other strengths that compliment those normally associated with men, strengths that greatly enhance the military. Thus, I suggest that we celebrate rather than merely tolerate those differences.
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Lt Col (Join to see)
Absolutely! Thank you for your wonderful comments.
And kudos to Rally Point for giving us this forum to discuss all of these perspectives and stories.
And kudos to Rally Point for giving us this forum to discuss all of these perspectives and stories.
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South facing view (from Marshall Parade Ground) of the Women's Army Corps Memorial Chapel, Fort McClellan, AL, completed and dedicated in 1956. The chapel is still in frequent use and has just been completely renovated and restored by the Alabama Army National Guard. Also at Fort McClellan is Clarke Park, named for MG Mary E. Clarke, who was last director of the Women's Army Corps (WAC) and was the first woman to attain the rank of major general in the United States Army. Photos taken on 21AUG11 (but for MG Clarke's official photo).
Thought this might interest you, SGT Donna Farley.
1LT Sandy Annala and PV2 (Join to see) and Capt (Join to see) and CPT Carrie P. and CPT (Join to see) and Col Rebecca Lorraine GySgt Melissa Gravila COL Kelly Zachgo SPC Diana D. PO3 Phyllis Maynard SGT Robert Pryor
MAJ Keira Brennan and PO1 (Join to see), I thought you might enjoy this post about "female firsts", based on your comments in "Can we finally end the horrible social experiment of women in direct combat units now?"
COL Charles Williams, I thought you might like this bit about MG Clarke. I'm headed to Fort McClellan today!
SGM (Join to see) Maj Kim Patterson
Thought this might interest you, SGT Donna Farley.
1LT Sandy Annala and PV2 (Join to see) and Capt (Join to see) and CPT Carrie P. and CPT (Join to see) and Col Rebecca Lorraine GySgt Melissa Gravila COL Kelly Zachgo SPC Diana D. PO3 Phyllis Maynard SGT Robert Pryor
MAJ Keira Brennan and PO1 (Join to see), I thought you might enjoy this post about "female firsts", based on your comments in "Can we finally end the horrible social experiment of women in direct combat units now?"
COL Charles Williams, I thought you might like this bit about MG Clarke. I'm headed to Fort McClellan today!
SGM (Join to see) Maj Kim Patterson
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LTC Stephen C.
SGM (Join to see), the WAC Chapel at Fort McClellan, AL just underwent extensive exterior decorations. The inside will be renovated at a later date.
More about the WAC Chapel, SGT Donna Farley, SPC Diana D. PO3 Phyllis Maynard SGT Robert Pryor
More about the WAC Chapel, SGT Donna Farley, SPC Diana D. PO3 Phyllis Maynard SGT Robert Pryor
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LTC Stephen C.
MAJ Keira Brennan, virtually all the structures on WAC Circle have undergone extensive renovation inside and outside and are in use today. The northern portion of Fort McClellan is now maintained and has been significantly improved by the Alabama Army National Guard and the southern portion is in civilian control. Many of the extraordinary structures on the south side have not fared so well, such as Remington Hall, the old Officers' Club.
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Thanks for being such an outstanding example of leadership Lt Col (Join to see). This is truly an inspiring piece and I wish you a happy Veterans Day. The 934th is lucky to have you in their ranks!
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http://www.womensmemorial.org/Education/WHM08KitUSA.html
Raven 42. Leigh Ann Hester was the first female to receive the Silver Star since WW2.
Raven 42. Leigh Ann Hester was the first female to receive the Silver Star since WW2.
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SGT William Howell
I have met her a couple times when we were both in the KY Guard as MPs. You would never guess she had that much woop ass stored in her.
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LTC Stephen C.
SGT William Howell, this is an old discussion thread, I know, but I thought you might like to know that Leigh Ann Hester is now a detective with the Franklin (TN) Police Department and is a sergeant first class in the TNARNG. SGT Robert Pryor
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Retired Admiral Deborah Loewer was the 1st woman selected to major afloat command and the 1st warfare qualified woman promoted to Admiral. She also started in 2001 what she called "The Network" for female Surface Warfare Officers where she developed a spread sheet of contact info of SWO women, sent out words of advice, drew attention to accomplishments, and provide general updates on the SWO community. I know lots of SWO women, myself included, who she both inspired and helped.
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