This book explores the consequences of the opening of the armed forces to women, a recent development highlighted by the Gulf War. It is a comprehensive interdisciplinary study of women as soldiers and officers, the socio-economic implications of their choice, the problems they face, and how their presence affects the military and alters traditional images of femininity. The book shows how both of the options presently available - complete assimilation to the prevailing, masculine military model or exclusion - have heavy costs for women.

This book explores the consequences of the opening of the armed forces to women, a recent development highlighted by the Gulf War. It is a comprehensive interdisciplinary study of women as soldiers and officers, the socio-economic implications of their choice, the problems they face, and how their presence affects the military and alters traditional images of femininity. The book shows how both of the options presently available - complete assimilation to the prevailing, masculine military model or exclusion - have heavy costs for women.