Women's Role In The Military Analysis

It is 1973, the Vietnam War is still going strong and will continue for two more years. The women’s liberation movement has payed-off with the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and the world is still adjusting to this new layer of freedom and equality. It’s in the midst of this upheaval that 18 year old Carmon R. Bulkley will begin her journey to become the first female helicopter mechanic working on the flight line. I had the honor of interviewing Carmon, now Carmon Hepp, the following are her recollections and my interpretations on the impact she has had upon women and the military of today. It’s August of 1973 and the 18 year old Carmon is sitting in a theater surrounded by men. She watches the men line up against the wall as the sergeant prepares …show more content…
I believe the military is one of the best places for a person to find out who they are. The military will break you down as an individual and build you up as a member of the team.” She also went on to say that she believes everyone should go into some branch of the military for a while, it makes people more self-sufficient and confident. The fact that she faced so many challenges, so much discrimination, and flat-out hatred but still encourages others to enlist says a lot about our military as a whole. Also, that her time in the military created “some of the best memories” even with so little support from her country and even her fellow women shows her incredible character and resilience. Carmon succeeded in enriching herself, the military, and her country.
So, to Carmon (Bulkley) Hepp and all the women who braved “a man’s world” to pave the way for the women of today, and to all the women who continue to fight for our country and my freedom I thank you. Thank you for my freedom, thank you for all of the opportunities now afforded to me because of your actions, and thank you for showing the military and the world just what we can