Women have been risking their lives in the armed forces to protect our country for decades. Now, there are more women in the military than ever before and those brave women have even been fighting on the front line since 2013.
Despite that, women’s roles on the front lines are often belittled, overlooked, or completely ignored by much of our society. To celebrate those heroic women, take a look at 40 powerful images of women serving in the military…
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A Massive Job
Kentucky Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Kathleen Braithwaite was photographed on March 16, 2017 removing a M977 Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck wheel.
On Patrol
US Army 1st Lt. Audrey Griffith and Spc. Heidi Gerke working together during a force protection drill on March 18, 2013, at the Forward Operating Base Hadrian in Deh Rawud, Afghanistan.
Taking The Wheel
On October 24, 2014, a female sailor at the wheel of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin during a replenishment-at-sea.
An Expert Mechanic
Staff Sgt. Saber Barrera got to work replacing an engine starter on August 27, 2015.
A Team Effort
At the Fort Leonard Wood’s Training Area, Cpl. Denis Houston clings to a Zodiac boat while she and the other soldiers work together to flip the boat.
Overcoming The Elements
Lance Cpl. Eleanor H. Roper pulls a Marine Corps Cold Weather Infantry Kit up a snowy slope on January 31, 2014, during a field exercise at a Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center.
Tug-Of-War
A female Officer Candidate works together with fellow Officer Candidates during a game of tug-of-war at Officer Candidate School in June of 2013.
Medals Of Honor
During a chief petty officer pinning ceremony at Naval Air Station North Island, Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Misty Beck receives a pin from her wife.
A Team Effort
Sailors photographed on January 23, 2015, work together to recover a safety boat on board the amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore.
A Groundbreaking Graduate
Private First Class Christina Fuentes Montenegro and two other female Marines are the first women to graduate infantry training with the Delta Company, Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry-East.
Learning On The Job
Quartermaster 2nd Class Nyzherelle Wilson trains Quartermaster Seaman Fayden Cunningham on the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin on April 20, 2015.
The Dead Leg Crawl
Private Sonja Robinson, a human resources specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division, performs the ‘dead leg crawl’ on the Air Assault obstacle at Fort Bliss, Texas.
A Military Diver
Navy Diver 2nd Class Valerie De Freitas is suited up during a Mark V Familiarization dive at the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center to commentate the Year of the Military Diver.
A Soldier And A Mom
After returning home from deployment in Afghanistan, Spc. Sabrina Day, 132nd Military Police Company, South Carolina National Guard, hugs and kisses her 3-year-old son for the first time since returning to American soil.
A One-Woman Job
Senior Airman Kathryn Raethel, 437th Operations Support Squadron airfield management technician, was photographed driving the entire length of the flight line during a night shift. During the route, she looked for damaged runway lights and directional signs.
Protecting And Serving The Young
Lt. Cmdr. Melissa Buryl, a pediatrician, checks a baby’s vital signs while at the Hattieville Government School.
Inspiring The Cadets
Rear Adm. Linda Fagan, commander of the First Coast Guard District, takes time to visit US Coast Guard Academy cadets on the Coast Guard Cutter Eagle in Maine. The cadets were in the middle of Swab Summer, a seven-week indoctrination period.
Coming Home
Chief Warrant Officer Heather Bove embraces her young son upon her return to Kodiak, Alaska. She had been on patrol on Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley.
Explosive Training
Operations Specialist 3rd Class Ashley North from Provincial Reconstruction Team Farak connect detonation cords as part of weapon and explosives training on Forward Operating Base Farah’s weapon range.
Rising Above The Obstacles
US Army Spc. Elizabeth Ibaboa masters a rope bridge obstacle during US Army Europe’s Best Warrior Competition in Germany.
Daily Maintenance
Specialist Michelle Metzger, a mine resistant ambush driver, applies grease and performs daily maintenance to her vehicle at the Multinational Base at Tarin Kot, Afghanistan.
Always Prepared
Private First Class Courtney Erwin stays prepared by securing an anchor cable to a C-17 at the Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan on August 21, 2013.
Administering Care
Maj. Anjeli Nayar, a 455th Expeditionary Medical Operations Squadron intensive care unit general internist, hard at work at a hospital at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.
Performing Drills
Airmen stay alert while performing medical evacuation drills at the Ramstein Air Base in Baumholder, Germany.
Standing Guard
A US Airman with the Bagram Air Field Honor Guard was photographed on August of 2015, standing guard in the 455th Expeditionary Mission Support Group change of command ceremony in Afghanistan.
Guard Graduation
On March 4, 2015, Senior Airman Hope Poialii led the flag detail at an honor guard graduation ceremony at the Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.
Preparing For Takeoff
1st Lt. Meaghan Cosand, C-5B Galaxy pilot with the 312th Airlift Squadron, prepares for takeoff on a mobility channel mission. She had been tasked with moving high-priority cargo and passengers between air bases in the US Pacific Command area.
An Emotional Return
After the USNS Mercy, a Military Sealift Command hospital ship, returned to homeport at Naval Base San Diego, a mother was finally able to hug her young daughter for the first time since leaving home.
A Rescue Mission
A Sailor helps guide one of 65 people onto the amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore after they rescued the 65 people from a sinking ship in the Pacific Ocean on June 10, 2015.
Replenishment-At-Sea
Ensign Danielle Garbarino monitors a replenishment-at-sea from the Military Sealift Command Fleet replenishment oiler USNS John Lenthall while aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Ross.
Standing Watch
Lt. j.g Lisa Schmidt works during a shift in the combat information center on the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Forrest Sherman.
Plotting Damage Control
Lt. j.g Betty Chang uses a chart of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin to plot casualty status during a damage control drill.
Observing Operations
Cmdr. Camille Flaherty, commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke, watches operations from the combat information center.
Making History
Lt. Gen. Patricia Horoho became the US Army Surgeon General, the highest-ranking position in the Army’s medical department. She is the first women and first nurse to take on the role in more than 200 years.
Under Attack
While Cpl. MaryBeth Monson was deployed in Afghanistan, Afghani insurgents disguised themselves as American soldiers and launched an attack on the base. Monson managed to keep everyone calm and helped maintain security until it was back up and running.
A Wildfire Hero
Air Force Lt. Col. Susan Pangelinan orchestrated the disaster response mission during the 2008 California wildfires. She reported injuries, tracked medical supplies, and managed first responders.
A Human Shield
Humvee driver Spec Ashley Pullen saved a fellow squad member’s life after her convoy was attacked in Baghdad. Not only did she treat the squad member’s stomach wound, but she used her body as a shield to protect him from more blasts, and then transported injured soldiers to an evacuation spot.
A Cutting-Edge Scientist
Capt. Maria Urso has dedicated her career to researching cellular mechanisms of musculoskeletal injury and repair to develop new therapies to treat blunt-force trauma and blast injuries.
An All-Star Army Vet
Spc. Elizabeth Wasil suffered from bilateral hip injuries while serving as a combat medic in Iraq. During therapy from three surgeries, Wasil started swimming and training competitively and started setting national records in the US Paralympics.
A Silver Star Medal Recipient
Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester walked into the line of fire when she and her squad came under attack while stationed in Iraq. She killed at least three enemy combatants at close range and repelled more than two dozen. For her life-saving bravery, she became the first woman since WWII to earn the Silver Star Medal.
