What It’s Like Being A Woman In The Military

Being a woman in the military is no easy task.

They expect you to carry 60 lbs of extra weight on your back when you alone weight 120lbs. They will push you to your limits to see what your emotions can take. They will try to break you and tear you down until there is nothing left.

But please, don’t let the fear stop you from joining if that’s what you want to do.

But if you want to join, you have to have a clear vision of what it will take to survive the military. During my cycle of Basic Combat Training we had around 60 something females starting off. By the time graduation rolled around, we were down to about 20.

How come so many females didn’t make it? To give you the cold hard truth, it was reasons you could probably guess. Some couldn’t handle it physically and some couldn’t handle it mentally. A lot of the time it’s because of both.

I am going on to my 3rd year of being a soldier. I have loved every second of it. Yes it is hard, mentally and physically exhausting, and you do things that you don’t understand at first. It has by far been the best choice I have made!

I get asked so many times why I have joined the U.S. Army and my answer seems to change every time. The thing is, there are so many reasons to join the military. The benefits are usually the biggest reason. But for me, it’s to test myself. I have been through so much in my life that has torn me down. My answer to why is plain and simple.

To find me and who I am in this world.

Joining the military is something I have always wanted to do, but have never had the courage to do it. Needless to say I have found who I am. Not only that, but I am a better human being for it.

No matter what you go through in life when it comes to trails and hardships never be afraid to push yourself to be better.

Not because the people around you say you should but because in your heart you want to be. Don’t let petty things such as fear stand in your way of being the best person you can be.

Face them.
Conquer them.

Stand up and say “I am more than what burdens have brought me down!”

Now I’m not saying to go off and join the military like I did. Go find something you have always wanted to do to better yourself. It’s never too late to face your fears that are holding you back. You don’t have to be in the military to be a solider. You are one just by the simple fact of fighting through your own battles and defeating the enemy within yourself.