Traditional views of women's roles and the social movement for equal oppurtunity for women created a major clash in the military during the 1960s.

      The Cuban Missile Crisis, construction of the Berlin Wall, the Cold War, and military involvement in Southeast Asia caused America to build up its military and fast.

      America relied on the Selective Service System to draft young men, but in order for a woman to be drafted she had to be educated.

      Women Acceptance Factor (WAF) recruits were told how to apply lipstick correctly and female Marines were told that their lipstick and nail polish had to match the scarlet braid on their uniform hats. Women were told to dress in pumps and skirts rather than boots and combat clothing even in Vietnam. This was done in order to project a neat, feminine image.