Latinas in the Military, A Growing Force
By Marisa Rivera
Women’s participation in the
military has had a history that
extends over 400 years
worldwide, from Civil Wars, World Wars I and
II to present conflicts. Women have been a
presence in the United States military for
decades and have worked to serve and
defend the country for just as many.
According to the Defense Department,
women now make up 20 percent of the Air
Force, 19 percent of the Navy, 15 percent of
the Army and almost 9 percent of the Marine
Corps, (DoD, Mar 11, 2019).
Throughout U.S. history, Latinas have
Senior Airman, Staff
Select, Paulette Rivera,
flying in a CV22
practice flight.
also served proudly and bravely in all
branches of our nation's military. Five years
after the Gulf War, Hispanic women comprised
approximately six percent of enlisted women in the military and three percent of
female officers. Today, Hispanic women are serving throughout the armed forces
and breaking traditional barriers. The National Association of American Veterans
states that more Latinas are serving in the Army than Latino men, according to
the U.S. Army. In 2015, a profile of the military community revealed that
Latinas cover 48 percent of the women in the U.S. military, (Latinas make up
almost half of the Women in the Military, written by Dulce Candy, a
Mexican-American blogger and Beauty YouTuber, who served as a soldier in
Iraq, Nov. 9, 2018).
When I was researching to write this story, I was surprised and a bit
curious. I decided to call my niece Paulette Rivera, Senior Airman, Staff
Select in the U.S. Air Force and ask her why are Latinas/women joining the
military in such record numbers. She answered my questions very
candidly:
Marisa: Why did you decide to join the U.S. military?
Paulette: “I had several reasons, why I joined the Air Force. I wanted
to become independent, self-sufficient and live away from home. I wanted
to continue my education, I did not want to be average, I wanted to travel,
and I wanted to do something bigger than myself and do something that
had purpose and help a cause. Joining the U.S. Air Force has provided
me the opportunity to do all those things.
Marisa: What are other reasons Latinas/women join the military?
Do other female and Latinas counterparts join the military for the same
reasons?
Paulette: “For women, joining the military is another way to
proudly carry their family name and represent their families. It is a way to
help their families financially, continue their education and for others is a
way to gain their citizenship and give back to this country that has
afforded them freedom and peace. Joining the military is also a good
stepping stone for any other career in the future and a place to find your
voice and gain confidence.”
Senior Airman, Staff Select, Paulette Rivera, at the Air Force
Memorial, Washington, D.C.
¡Las Jefas!
I am not only immensely proud of my niece Senior Airman, Staff
Select, Paulette Rivera, but of all the Latinas and women serving in the
military, that are making their voices
be heard, their talents and strengths
being used, and their leadership
utilized. As women establish their
own military tradition, daughters now
are following in their mother’s footsteps
and sisters serve together. Just as
the public and private sectors, the
military needs to pay attention to
the fastest-growing recruits that“Las
Jefas” represent.
LS
Want to comment or have any
questions on this article? Email us
at info@latinastyle.com
Marisa Rivera is
president of
Mpowerment Works,
a motivational
speaker, executive
coach and
leadership and
empowerment
consultant. Marisa@
MpowermentWorks.
com.
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