Posted on Aug 22, 2014
General public misunderstanding of female veterans
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I am curious if any of my fellow vets/SM/Ret members male and female alike have noticed a general misunderstanding or lack of acknowledgement for female veterans? Not that we are looking for a pat on the back or accolades, but I do feel that more often than not, we tend to be forgotten. It's easier to spot a male vet in public (old habits die hard...hair cuts are a sure sign), my husband is approached all the time. When people acknowledge him as a vet, he's also quick to point out that I served as well. Then brings up the, "I would never have guessed." With more female vets and SM than ever before, I kind of find it a bit discouraging that the public still has no understanding of the role of females in the military and combat, and as a vital member of the veteran community. I would like the RP opinion and experience on this. Thank you.
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 31
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I have. In almost every single setting I've been in, even with others of my job type, there is always the assumption of 'you're a spouse of...' I got told on the phone, by a female hospital worker, that I 'don't sound like a veteran or like someone who understands what they to through.' I approach everyone with the assumption that they served their time and deserve all the respect someone from the 82nd airborne would get. (As an example)
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Cpl Shane Cunningham
My wife has the same issue. We are both Marines and she has had people scoff at her think she is taking credit for just me being one.
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I had a young lady ask me for my "dependent card" in the BX. When I showed her my CAC card, she insisted I had the wrong card so couldn't (wouldn't) ring me up. I simply explained that *I* was the Active member. Manager came over and quickly diffused, but I was pretty surprised at how adamant she was that I was the wifelet.
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MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht
CMSGT, I can relate. I was at Lowes today and the cashier insisted on seeing my ID card although I was wearing a dis-abled cap. I showed her my VA ID card.
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CMSgt (Join to see)
MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht -
I think it was the ignorance that *I* (the female) couldn't possibly be the service member that surprised me.
I think it was the ignorance that *I* (the female) couldn't possibly be the service member that surprised me.
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It is surprising in this day and age for the amount of misunderstanding with women vets. Especially something like CPT (Join to see) points out with the "women's auxiliary". Haven't heard that term in a LONG time. unfortunately, not that its an excuse, its been a male dominated organization for so long that it needs some updating. IMHO, if we get a few more female vets in as post commanders and at the national level and I think you'll see things do an about face.
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MAJ (Join to see)
The VFW Post I just joined (1881) has had a female post commander in the recent past, and we currently have a number of female officers. I agree, it definitely helps to raise awareness of female vets when you see them working alongside their male counterparts in these types of organizations.
We also have a male auxiliary as well as a female auxiliary, although that will be going away as I believe the VFW has recently made a decision to combine all male and female auxiliaries into a single gender-neutral auxiliary.
We also have a male auxiliary as well as a female auxiliary, although that will be going away as I believe the VFW has recently made a decision to combine all male and female auxiliaries into a single gender-neutral auxiliary.
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