Women's Status in the United States Armed Forces from Exclusion to Inclusion in the Battle Fields: The Case of Afghanistan and Iraq Wars

Abstract

This dissertation explores the status of women in the US Armed Forces, and highlights their role in Afghanistan and Iraq Wars. Women have always been part of the US Army whether officially or unofficially. Thus, accepting women as permanent members of the military raised serious debates throughout the years. This research chronicles the long history of women’s involvement in the different wars that the United States fought. In addition, it covers the idea that masculinity is the core of the military foundation which makes it challenging for women to be accepted and given the same opportunities as their male counterparts in this field. Furthermore, the study follows the gradual integration of women within US Army lines by presenting the legal policies and laws that were passed by the US Congress and the Department of Defense from 1900 till 2015. The motive behind choosing Afghanistan and Iraq wars as a case study is the similarity of the circumstances that forced the United States to deploy women soldiers in combat zones despite the existence of the Combat Exclusion Policy that prohibits such action. In this regard, this study shows that American women soldiers always have the desire to serve their country even in harsh conditions. However, the success of these women in their mission is highly dependent on the attitudes of their male commanders and colleagues. Finally, even though women are not forced to join the armed forces, and always do so with their own will, they are more likely to suffer from the aftermath of wars and from inequality in the armed forces.