Chapter 3 Women in the Military

Introduction  Women serve in over 80% of military jobs but are still barred from combat roles.  Women perform in a hypermasculine environment and overcome challenges with gender discrimination.  Women serve in over 80% of military jobs but are still barred from combat roles.  Women perform in a hypermasculine environment and overcome challenges with gender discrimination.

Gender More emotion-based characteristics are attributed to women than to men, which makes leadership roles difficult for women to achieve in the military. Evaluation based on emotion-based characteristics can negatively impact a military career. Women are often isolated and have few same gender role models and mentors. More emotion-based characteristics are attributed to women than to men, which makes leadership roles difficult for women to achieve in the military. Evaluation based on emotion-based characteristics can negatively impact a military career. Women are often isolated and have few same gender role models and mentors.

Military-Related Sexual Harassment and Assault Women may be reluctant to report MST for fear of revenge, scorn, and negative work repercussions. Risk factors: long tours of duty, environmental hazards, loss of friends, and mental and physical traumas. Women may experience gynecological symptoms as a result of MST. Women may be reluctant to report MST for fear of revenge, scorn, and negative work repercussions. Risk factors: long tours of duty, environmental hazards, loss of friends, and mental and physical traumas. Women may experience gynecological symptoms as a result of MST.

Military Response to MST  Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO)  Provides care and support to victims.  Prevents MST through training and education.  Has a confidential reporting system.  Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO)  Provides care and support to victims.  Prevents MST through training and education.  Has a confidential reporting system.

Married Women in the Military  Challenges are experienced with balancing workplace demands and home environment.  Extensive preparation for deployments requires much planning and support.  Marriages of military women are three times as likely to fail compared to their male counterparts.  Challenges are experienced with balancing workplace demands and home environment.  Extensive preparation for deployments requires much planning and support.  Marriages of military women are three times as likely to fail compared to their male counterparts.

Menses and Pregnancy Women face challenges managing biological feminine processes. – No education provided on how to manage menstrual cycle while training or deployed. Environmental challenges are also experienced due to limited restrooms and access to clean water. Pregnant women may be negatively stigmatized. – Face pregnancy alone. – Unable to deploy. Women face challenges managing biological feminine processes. – No education provided on how to manage menstrual cycle while training or deployed. Environmental challenges are also experienced due to limited restrooms and access to clean water. Pregnant women may be negatively stigmatized. – Face pregnancy alone. – Unable to deploy.

Bisexual and Lesbian Service Members  Larger number of women discharged under DADT compared to men.  Women who identify as lesbian or bisexual are at increased risk for MST.  Lesbian victims of MST are more reluctant to report attacks for fear of revictimization or of drawing attention to their sexual identity (prior to repeal).  Larger number of women discharged under DADT compared to men.  Women who identify as lesbian or bisexual are at increased risk for MST.  Lesbian victims of MST are more reluctant to report attacks for fear of revictimization or of drawing attention to their sexual identity (prior to repeal).

Health in Women Veterans  Little research exists on women’s health as it is impacted by deployments.  Women process and react to stress differently than men.  Women tend to cope with stress more positively than men.  Further research is needed on gender responses to trauma.  Little research exists on women’s health as it is impacted by deployments.  Women process and react to stress differently than men.  Women tend to cope with stress more positively than men.  Further research is needed on gender responses to trauma.

Treatment Implications and Case Application  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy  Psychoeducation  Exposure  Cognitive restructuring  Anxiety management techniques  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy  Psychoeducation  Exposure  Cognitive restructuring  Anxiety management techniques

Case Vignette Questions  What additional information is needed in order to assess Sally and devise a treatment plan?  Develop a treatment plan based on CBT.  What are Sally’s risk factors and strengths? How would you utilize her strengths in therapy?  What veteran and/or civilian resources would you recommend for Sally?  What additional information is needed in order to assess Sally and devise a treatment plan?  Develop a treatment plan based on CBT.  What are Sally’s risk factors and strengths? How would you utilize her strengths in therapy?  What veteran and/or civilian resources would you recommend for Sally?