6/27 Mental Toughness Thursday

Women Can Be Heroes, Too

All this week we are honoring a special category of heroines, military women who died in service to our country. These heroines are only 4 of the 152 women who were killed in action from September 11, 2001 to August 26, 2021 during the Global War on Terror. 
Women have been serving with honor and distinction in the military for over 100 years and because of the Combat Exclusion Policy very few women have been killed in action. 
According to Army Times, 7,000 women served in Vietnam, but only 16 were killed, most of them nurses. In the first Persian Gulf War, 33,000 women were deployed, but only 6 perished due to scud missile explosions or accidents. (Nov. 24, 2003)
After the Persian Gulf War in 1991, the Combat Exclusion Policy was lifted on aviation positions on April 28, 1993 allowing women to fly combat aircraft and serve in some air combat support positions. However, they were still barred from direct ground combat operations. 
The Global War on Terror changed the role of women in ground combat operations. The development of the Cultural Support Teams highlighted the need for women to be directly involved in ground combat operations. These women, including 2 of this week's heroines, Ashley White and Jenny Moreno, volunteered to be at the "tip of the spear." They were embedded with special forces units and engaged in direct  intelligence, reconnaissance and combat operations.
These women provided the "proof of concept" that women can and should be allowed to serve in any military occupational specialty for which they are qualified. Because of their exceptional bravery and service, the Combat Exclusion Policy was lifted on January 24, 2013. 
If you would like to know more about the women in combat and specifically Lt. White's story, please read Ashley's War. I have included an expert below.