Sisters in Arms: Lessons We've Learned

   Short stories written by women veterans about lessons they learned while in the military. Sisters addresses life in the armed forces from a woman's perspective: the ups and the downs, from basic training to combat experiences.
   Many of these authors were groundbreaking in their career fields, making life better for the women who would follow. Learn how they thrived through challenging times by demonstrating courage and perseverance. Discover how each woman learned to believe in herself and harness her inner strength to achieve her goals. Apply their lessons learned to your life, and take strength from women who have paved the way.
   Whether they served a few decades or a few months, the lessons they learned shaped who they are today. They are strong, resilient, courageous, ambitious, inspirational, and committed women who want to share their stories with you.
   Don't let these powerful stories go unheard!

FOREWORD by Vice Admiral Sandy Stosz, USCG, Retired
Author, Breaking Ice and Breaking Glass: Leading in Uncharted Waters

Sisters-in-Arms is a treasure trove of genuine stories told from the heart by veterans who served on the leading edge as women were integrated more fully into the armed forces following the Vietnam War. Although the history of women serving in certain roles extends back over 200 years, it was not until the twentieth century—during World War I—that women were allowed to openly serve in the military. At that time, women still didn't have the right to vote, and they were limited to support roles. During World War II, each branch of the armed forces stood up a women's reserve force. Women served in noncombat roles, yet many of them performed traditional male duties such as test piloting airplanes and maintaining machinery.
   Those pioneering women paved the way for the women like me who joined the US Coast Guard when women began serving more broadly on active duty in the armed forces in the early 1970s. I entered the US Coast Guard Academy in 1978 with the third class to include women, and it was hard. Women made up 5 percent of the corps of 1,000 cadets, and we were often isolated in those early days. Some of the men scornfully declared that we didn't belong at the Academy and we weren't "real women." Talk about a blow to a fragile self-esteem! But the bond of sisterhood helped us survive and even thrive!
  These words are directed at women who are considering joining the armed forces or who have recently raised their right hand, but they are lessons we can all learn from.
Although these stories reflect the diversity of the authors' backgrounds and experiences in different branches of the armed forces, they share a common theme of resilience. Read how one woman who didn't know how to swim surprised her instructors with her grit and determination. Learn how another found the courage to stand up to men who tried to unfairly hold her to different standards. You'll be amazed at what some of these women endured and overcame in those early years.
   In Sisters-in-Arms, you'll find inspiration learning how women thrived through challenging times by demonstrating courage and perseverance. You'll discover how each woman learned to believe in herself and harness her inner strength to achieve her goals—and how you can too. Don't let the stories told by these incredible women role models lie dormant; share them widely so that others may discover the courage and confidence to reach high and become the very best they can be!

When we have the courage to be vulnerable and share our stories, both good and bad, even when they expose mistakes or weaknesses, our experience can help make other people better.

- Kim "K.C." Campbell
Author of Flying in the Face of Fear