The Gulf War

Desert Storm/ Desert Shield 1990-1991

Scud missal shrapnel.

Like their male counterparts, many women were exposed to toxic chemicals from chemical warfare, vaccines like Anthrax, pesticides, Pyridostigmine Bromide, also known as nerve agent pills which were experimental at the time, and even smoke that persisted from oil well fires.

Photo Source: Stefanie Young.

Over half of the veterans currently alive today served during the Gulf War era which included the highest number of female military service members in our nation’s history at that time. The large number of female participation renewed previous conversation regarding women’s military roles, particularly combat. Prior to this deployment women who had children had not been sent into a war zone.

By this time women held a multitude of military roles but the general public may not have been noticing the transformation after the male draft ended in 1972. This change included combat support but because of laws in place they were restricted from combat designated positions and units. It is not to say female positions were immune to coming under fire, many were exposed to Scud missal attacks.

Katherine Schaeffer, "The changing face of America’s veteran population" Retrieved from Pew Research Center(2021, April 5). https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/04/05/the-changing-face-of-americas-veteran-population/

Returning home, April 1991.

Even almost two years following the war, review of women’s integration continued to be put into question fostering old beliefs. One particular question presented from the General Accounting Office stated , “Some have asserted that the introduction of women to an all-male unit would, at best interfere with, and more likely destroy or prevent, the male bonding necessary for effective unit cohesion during combat operations.”

Photo Source: Melanie Jones.

" U. S. Women in the Military: Deployment in the Persian Gulf War. Washington" U.S. General Accounting Office (1993) 1-62.

Gulf War, U. S. Army Service uniform (Class B).

Women held roles as military police officers, truck drivers, helicopter pilots, and radio operators to name a few. Of the nearly 40,000 women who served per branch divisions include approximately, 3,700 Navy sailors, 5,300 airmen, 2,200 marines, the majority being nearly 26,000 soldiers.

Photo Source: Stefanie Young.

"Women in the U.S. Navy: Historic Documents: Women in U.S. Military during Desert Shield/Desert Storm." Retrieved from Naval History and Heritage Command: (2017, November 30). https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/diversity/women-in-the-navy/during-desert-shield-desert-storm.html

Gulf War , U.S. Army Combat uniform ( Class C).

Restrictions limiting participation were still implemented because of the Women’s Army Services Integration Act of 1948 which remained in place. When U.S. involvement in the gulf became eminent women in Airforce positions remained relatively low compared to overall numbers of female soldiers.