NPR Series: On The Front Lines: Women In War https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=133869535 In a series, NPR looks at what it means to be a woman in uniform today-- how that's changed over generations and whether more change looms. The series profiles five women in the military, with different perspectives on women's role in combat and expectations for their future. en Copyright 2024 NPR - For Personal Use Only Story API Shim 1.2.24 Thu, 10 Apr 2025 16:47:38 -0400 https://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/primary/npr_generic_image_300.jpg?s=200 NPR Series: On The Front Lines: Women In War https://www.npr.org/series/133869535/women-in-combat Women In Combat: How You Feel About It The Pentagon has a policy that bars women from being assigned to units whose primary mission is to engage in direct ground combat. There's a debate going on about whether that policy should change. Host Scott Simon talks with NPR's National Security Correspondent Rachel Martin her series — and reactions to it. Sat, 26 Feb 2011 08:00:00 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2011/02/26/134083528/Women-In-Combat-How-You-Feel-About-It https://www.npr.org/2011/02/26/134083528/Women-In-Combat-How-You-Feel-About-It The Pentagon has a policy that bars women from being assigned to units whose primary mission is to engage in direct ground combat. There's a debate going on about whether that policy should change. Host Scott Simon talks with NPR's National Security Correspondent Rachel Martin her series — and reactions to it.

]]> NPR Staff A Lonely Club For Women In Top Army Jobs Heidi Brown's Army uniform is decorated with one small star, which marks her as a brigadier general. But at this point in her career, "gender now shuts the door for me," she says. Fri, 25 Feb 2011 00:01:00 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2011/02/25/134025084/a-lonely-club-for-women-in-top-army-jobs https://www.npr.org/2011/02/25/134025084/a-lonely-club-for-women-in-top-army-jobs

Heidi Brown's Army uniform is decorated with one small star, which marks her as a brigadier general. But at this point in her career, "gender now shuts the door for me," she says.

(Image credit: David Gilkey)

]]> Rachel Martin A Soldier's Life For A Mother And Her Daughter Betsy Thompson joined the Army in 1983 and worked as a dietitian. Her daughter is a West Point cadet and could see war up close. Their experiences show how much has changed for women in a generation. Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:01:00 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2011/02/24/133997879/a-soldiers-life-for-a-mother-and-her-daughter https://www.npr.org/2011/02/24/133997879/a-soldiers-life-for-a-mother-and-her-daughter

Betsy Thompson joined the Army in 1983 and worked as a dietitian. Her daughter is a West Point cadet and could see war up close. Their experiences show how much has changed for women in a generation.

(Image credit: David Gilkey)

]]> Rachel Martin General Remembers Her 'Different' Military Days Wilma Vaught was one of the first U.S. military women to be addressed as "general." Women's officer training in the 1950s included lessons on how to put on makeup. Today, "it's a different military." Wed, 23 Feb 2011 00:01:00 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2011/02/23/133966767/general-remembers-her-different-military-days https://www.npr.org/2011/02/23/133966767/general-remembers-her-different-military-days

Wilma Vaught was one of the first U.S. military women to be addressed as "general." Women's officer training in the 1950s included lessons on how to put on makeup. Today, "it's a different military."

(Image credit: David Gilkey)

]]> Rachel Martin Silver Star Recipient A Reluctant Hero The idea of being a hero doesn't really sit well with Leigh Ann Hester, so having an action figure modeled after her is, in a word, surreal. The doll is a tribute to Hester, a National Guard member awarded the Silver Star in 2005 — the only woman to win it for engaging in direct combat with the enemy. Tue, 22 Feb 2011 00:01:00 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2011/02/22/133847765/silver-star-recipient-a-reluctant-hero https://www.npr.org/2011/02/22/133847765/silver-star-recipient-a-reluctant-hero

The idea of being a hero doesn't really sit well with Leigh Ann Hester, so having an action figure modeled after her is, in a word, surreal. The doll is a tribute to Hester, a National Guard member awarded the Silver Star in 2005 — the only woman to win it for engaging in direct combat with the enemy.

(Image credit: David Gilkey)

]]> Rachel Martin Women In War: 'I've Lived Out There With The Guys' Next month, a panel is expected to tell Congress that the Pentagon should do away with its policy banning women from direct ground combat units. In reality, many already see combat. Mon, 21 Feb 2011 00:01:00 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2011/02/21/133818218/women-in-war-ive-lived-out-there-with-the-guys https://www.npr.org/2011/02/21/133818218/women-in-war-ive-lived-out-there-with-the-guys

Next month, a panel is expected to tell Congress that the Pentagon should do away with its policy banning women from direct ground combat units. In reality, many already see combat.

]]> Rachel Martin