Conference Proceedings - School of Nursing & Midwifery - Trinity ...

School of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin: 8 th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference
Transforming Healthcare Through Research, Education & Technology: 7 th – 9 th November 2007
Conference Proceedings
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Women at War: Our History and New Challenges for the 21 st
Century
Lorinda L. Farris, WHNP, MSN,
U.S. Air Force Reserves
31 st Medical Group
Aviano Air Base
Italy
+ 39-081-854-3523, Rinnp@aol.com
Background and Context: Throughout military history, there have
been few womens’ accounts of their experiences, except for those
females in healthcare duties. In current military situations, women
are manning M60 machine guns on HMMWVs (Humvees) and on
patrols and performing other functions traditionally allocated for
male combatants. To date, few studies have reported the effects or
consequences of this unique stress on women in combat.
Furthermore, few accommodations have been implemented for
these women or special debriefing sessions put into place to
facilitate healthy readjustment upon returning home. The
phenomenon is simply too new to have been fully explored.
Aim of the Study/Methodology: This study used a participantobserver
approach to collect a broad range of data during a
deployment from January to May 2005. With command and
participant consent, recorded interviews were used to explore the
backgrounds, military jobs, stressors and the management of such,
health care issues and needs, and recuperative resources for the
women serving in the war in Iraq. This method of data collection will
also contribute to the historical account of women in the military for
future generations, once archived.
Analysis/Findings: This project discovered numerous successes,
problems, and potential solutions the new generation of female
combatants face. These issues included, but were not limited to
women’s need for connection, healthcare issues, equality and job
related concerns as well as personal reactions to the experience of
war. Fertility concerns, childcare, future physical constraints and
sexual assault were also noted as additional anxieties for women.
The findings further examined the implications of military,
medical/nursing and political policy related to women’s military
roles, jobs and combat.
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