When you think “military woman”, what comes to mind? Probably not long hair, med school and no regrets, right? Well, it turns out that’s what you should be thinking, at least some of the time! Her Campus chatted with Amina Moghul and Sarah Allen, two young women in their early twenties, about life as they know it. They’re pretty similar to us—the one big difference? They are both employed by the military. Read their stories to see what exactly that means when it comes to school, daily life, dating and everything else.
Sarah’s flight (group of trainees) during BMT (Basic Military Training), contributed by Sarah Allen Amina Moghul, 23 Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve Currently on educational delay; student, president of Med School class, president of the military medicine club
Amina, practicing spotting improved explosive devices along roadsides, during a training session, contributed by Amina Moghul
How she made her choice
Amina Moghul was drawn to the military from a young age, but also knew she wanted to be a doctor. “I didn’t think I could marry those two interests in a way that would work for me professionally,” she said. In actuality, the two worked together perfectly. “Little did I know that the Army, Navy, and Air Force all have scholarship programs that carve out great careers for young future health professionals, and the training opportunities can’t be beat.” After earning scores on the MCAT that merited recruitment opportunities, Moghul had to give the decision some serious thought. She described it as “the biggest, scariest, and most serious decision I have ever had to make.” After thinking about it for her entire undergraduate senior year, she ultimately decided it was the right path for her. Though her family was initially nervous and “thought I was crazy…out of my mind for even considering it,” they eventually agreed it was a great career move and “an honorable way to use my skills.”
Amina, after taking the oath to become an officer in the US Army, contributed by Amina Moghul
Is her life different than yours?
As a full-time student in her second year at medical school, right now—not really. She describes herself as “pretty much a civilian right now.” That involves waking up later than she would in the Army, going to class, working out, studying – sounds familiar, right? But a few years from now, her life will change in a big way. In 2012, she will graduate and be promoted to Captain in the U.S. Army Medical Corps. In that role, she will serve as a physician on active duty. She hasn’t decided if she’ll stay on past her mandatory service (her residency, plus 4 to 6 years of service to pay back the residency). “I like to think I’ll stay in for a career, which is 20 years,” she said. “Then I’ll retire from the military…and go into private practice as a civilian.” Another difference may be more mental than tangible—that would be her sense of maturity and responsibility. “The quality of life of every American rests on the shoulders of the military and its capabilities to handle its duties,” she said. “The biggest difference between being a soldier and a civilian is that there is a mental understanding that you are invaluable [in the Army]. This makes soldiers work harder, [because] they know they are needed.”
Benefits and regrets
There are some serious benefits to joining the army. Moghul has a full scholarship to medical school, plus a stipend to help pay rent and living expenses. She received a $20,000 cash bonus when she enlisted and paid off all her undergraduate loans. In terms of her career, she will be able to train at some of the best hospitals in the world. And most of all, she said, “I know I will have great personal satisfaction from my career as a soldier-physician.” Moghul has no regrets about choosing to enter the military. “As of now, it is one of the best decisions I have made in my life.”
August 2008, right after becoming a first year medical student, contributed by Amina Moghul
Addressing misrepresentations or stereotypes about women in the military
“Not all women in the military are butch!” Moghul insisted. “We are strong women, and sometimes people can find that a little intimidating. Just because we wear a uniform doesn’t mean we aren’t normal people like everyone else.”
Her advice to young women considering the military
“It is a huge, life-changing decision. Make sure it is right for you and that you are joining for the right reasons. Depending on what you want for yourself in life, it could be the best or the worst decision you make. Know what you are getting yourself into.” Sarah Allen, 20 Active Duty Airwoman: Combat Videographer in the U.S. Air Force
Sarah, wearing her dress blues in a ceremonial shot, contributed by Sarah Allen
How she made her choice
Sarah Allen initially had no plans to join the military. Both her parents were in the Air Force, and her older brother joined the Marines, but she had no interest. “I did not want the military! I thought, I don’t take orders, I’m not cutting my hair for anybody, screw you guys!” Allen recalled. As she got older, though, it started to seem like a sensible choice. Her family couldn’t afford to send both her and her younger sister to college, and she knew if she enlisted, she would get her education paid for by the military.
So she started to do some serious research.
“I had to do my ‘girl research’,” she said, indicating that she wanted to be sure she could keep living her life with all her girly comforts: cute shoes, Abercrombie jeans, manicures, and, most importantly, long hair! The Air Force allows its soldiers to keep their hair long, and they even allow French manicures (or nude, pale colors—no bright red or green!) “Nails and long hair,” Allen confessed. “That’s what did it in to me!” She spoke to hordes of recruiters and to her parents, and she has never regretted her choice. “I only plan to do four years,” she said, “but I definitely understand people wanting to do it until they can retire.”
Is her life different than yours?
In one word: yes. As a combat videographer, Allen’s job is to deploy and get footage of the mission in Afghanistan. She hasn’t left on the deployment yet, and probably will not for about a year, but until then she’s stationed at an Air Force Base where she trains. She explained that she trains for both combat and videography, though the focus is on combat. Levels of maturity and responsibility are also hugely important in Allen’s life, perhaps more so than in a typical civilian woman’s collegiate experience. Allen explained that she is not only accountable for all of her government-issued equipment (which costs thousands of dollars!), but she is also responsible for her fellow soldiers. “We’re taught the wingman concept,” she explained. “You never leave your wingman behind—you always have to help your wingman out…You definitely get the feeling that you have to take care of people around you, because if they go down, you go down too.” One thing military women and civilian women may have in common is, oddly enough, dating! “Dating is dating,” Allen said bluntly. She pointed out that most women in the military tend to date men in the military, just because they find it easier to make a connection with a fellow soldier. Also, “it’s hard to even meet civilian guys.” She said military dating might be less drama-filled than dating on campus. “If you’re dating someone at work and you’re super professional, that’s fine,” she said. “But a big dramatic breakup? That would not fly at all. The military can’t afford to have that kind of bad image.”
Sarah, getting her mandatory vaccinations before leaving for BMT (Basic Military Training), contributed by Sarah Allen
Benefits and regrets
Allen emphasized that there are an incredible number of benefits that come with joining the military. They will provide a college education, medical care, food, board…The list goes on and on. And if you’re thinking that the “board” they provide will be a shack, guess again. Allen describes her room as “similar to a dorm,” but her single, walk-in closet, own full bathroom, full kitchen, living room and dining room, not to mention her washer-dryer, sounds a whole lot nicer than my first dorm room! Plus, if you join once you have already completed college, they will help you pay off your loans. In addition, they pay well, and the 30 days off that are allotted throughout the year are all paid-leave. As for regrets, Allen said she has none. “Coming right out of high school, I didn’t have the self-discipline yet to go to college,” she said. “I wouldn’t have been focused. I’d be partying, getting distracted, dropping out, moving back to the same town I grew up in. Even if this isn’t what I want to do a few years from now, right now, I needed the discipline. I needed to learn the lessons I have learned so far. There’s a lot of stuff I want to do in my life—the Air Force just happened to be the first one…and I don’t regret that at all.”
Sarah, with her equipment during JFEX (Joint Forces Exercise), contributed by Sarah Allen
Addressing misrepresentations or stereotypes about women in the military
Let’s repeat it again: “Not all women in the military are butch!” Allen insists. “I have a huge box of shoes in my closet that I couldn’t part with. My hair is really important to me. I’ll stand in front of my mirror for ten minutes and put on makeup… I’m sure all college girls do the same thing! There are some girly girls in the military.”
Her advice to young women considering the military
Allen said she would “definitely recommend it to anyone,” but cautioned that each woman should make sure to research which branch is best for her. Sources Amina Moghul, Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve (currently on educational delay; student, president of Med School class, president of the military medicine club) Sarah Allen, Active Duty Airwoman in the U.S. Air Force