Women veterans have earned right to serve alongside men

I joined the Iowa National Guard in 1975.

At that time, women actually joined the Women's Army Corp, which had been established as a women's auxiliary in 1942 and, until 1943, had no military status. As a WAC we had different uniforms, different standards and different training.

Until 1977, when training classes were standardized, basic training for women included learning how to walk in high heels, fix our hair and wear makeup. WACs didn't do pullups or push-ups. The front lines were well defined and women DID NOT go into combat

Since the American Revolution, 2.5 million women have served in the U.S. military. They were considered non-combatants and served mostly as nurses, cooks and clerks. They were wounded, captured and killed.

According to Department of Veterans Affairs statistics as of Sept. 30, the total veteran population in the United States is approximately 21.6 million, and women veterans number roughly 2.3 million nationally.

Combined numbers from both world wars, Korea and Vietnam show 4 percent of the veteran population was women and 912 were killed.

Since 9/11, that number has increased to 1 in 10 combatants. Of the 4,491 deaths in the War on Terror, 143 are women veterans.

In the 1980s and 1990s, I worked at the VA in Iowa City. At that time, it was rare to have a woman, veteran or dependent, seeking services.

Now, in addition to sexual assault and suicide, health issues, unemployment and homelessness affecting female veterans is on the rise. Because of these spikes, the VA has increased gender-specific services to address these issues, and now there is a Women's Clinic in Coralville.

Female veterans join the military for the same reasons men join - patriotism, training opportunities, education and security. We also face the same problems. In order to be promoted or have a career, women need to have the same opportunities as men.

Since 2012, women have been allowed to serve in noninfantry jobs, and the ban on women serving in combat has been overturned. By 2015, a plan will be implemented to open all units to women.

Women in today's military face new challenges, and we continue to meet and exceed goals that have been set for all veterans.

Veterans Service Organizations like the American Legion, VFW, DAV, AMVETS, Marine Corps League and Fleet Reserve Association are actively recruiting veterans. The Linn County American Legion is looking for female veterans to organize a new post specifically to address female issues.

And while gender equity is now a requirement for government commissions, over the years veteran-specific commissions like Linn County Veterans Affairs Commission and Veterans Memorial Commission have only had a total of four female commissioners each.

As female veterans, we need to do more, if we want to be seen as something more than female veterans. We need to be actively involved in changing the image of women in the military.

We are no longer Donut Dollies, the weaker sex or the little woman who needs to be protected. We are fighter pilots, tank commanders and field artillery officers. If we want to be respected and recognized as VETERANS we need to be seen fighting alongside our fellow veterans, not behind them.

' Cheryl King is a resident of Cedar Rapids, a U.S. Army veteran and a member of Metro Veterans Council, 40 & 8, American Legion and AMVETS. Comments: clking5@mchsi.com