2014/10/15 by Melissa E. Dichter, Gala True · 1 citation
Social Sciences · Psychology · #Gender, Security, and Conflict #Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research #Education and Military Integration
paper · doi:10.1177/0886109914555219
openalex publication_date 2014/10/15 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Women who serve in the military benefit from unique opportunities but face strains as a minority population and, compared to men, report greater dissatisfaction with their service and have shorter military careers. We interviewed 35 U.S. women veterans about their decisions to enter and leave military service. Premature separation—leaving military service before one plans, expects, or wants to—was a prominent theme and was often precipitated by gender-based experiences, including interpersonal violence, harassment, and caregiving needs. Findings can inform efforts to improve the length and quality of women’s military careers and support women during and after service.