The Integration of Women in the Military: A Case Study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the experiences of female military personnel belonging to the 10th Infantry Division in Davao Province. The key informants were Fearless Rose, Courageous Hijab Trooper, Valiant Valerie, and Dauntless Joan. The data were collected from their experiences, struggles, coping management, and insights as military women combatants. The study employed a qualitative-purposive sampling approach through in-depth interviews, and various themes were generated from the statements gathered from the participants. The experiences they disclosed were Being Viewed as Accepting in the Community, Being an Agent of Change in the Office, Tracing Hardship during Deployment, Making a Difference as a Woman in the Military Community, Becoming a Neutralizer during the Marawi Siege, and Facing fears in the Field. For coping mechanisms, they utilized Observing Transformation for Women in the AFP, Using the Value of Service as Motivation, and Accustoming Hardship as Part of the Job. In addition, Realizing the Value of Women in AFP, Highlighting the Roles of Women in Conflict Recovery, Seeing Roles as Empowerment of Women, and Increasing the Number of Women in the Service were also revealed as part of the insights of women in the military service. Finally, this study implied that integrating women in the military significantly contributes to gender quality and the strength and effectiveness of the military, therefore unraveling the need for updated military policies and training to ensure women’s safety and the integration of gender-specific considerations.