The 1980s were very similar to the 1970s in that they were both decades of pioneering for women. In the 1980s the first class of women cadets graduated from service academies across the nation. By the end of the decade the number of women in service would increase by an astonishing 12 percent. Another major first was that women were now being deployed to Grenada and Panama.

      The decade wasn't perfect by all by any means. Military leaders fought over the thought of the promotion and utilization of women soldiers. The decade reflected on the 1982 memorandum of the services of Casper Weinberger, Secretary of Defense under President Ronald Reagan. Another problem faced by women was the fact that they were still not accepted in combat, the core mission of the military, and the decision of promotions.