Research Reveals Women Struggle with Identity and Recognition as Veterans in a Male-Dominated Military
Carolyn Heward, James Cook University
Many women who serve in the military face an unfortunate cycle: they often feel compelled to suppress their femininity to fit into a traditionally male-dominated culture, only to struggle with recognition as veterans once they leave. This dynamic has profound impacts on their mental health and overall sense of identity.
Our research reveals that ex-servicewomen face a “double burden”: while serving, they often feel pressured to conform to a “warrior identity,” one that prioritizes toughness and stoicism over other qualities, like empathy. In many cases, women feel they need to “play a character,” adapting their behaviour and appearance to blend in, which sometimes involves downplaying their achievements to avoid standing out among male peers. Over time, this suppression of identity can lead to significant stress and anxiety, adding to the mental health challenges these women already face.
This internal struggle is compounded when they transition to civilian life. Societal perceptions of veterans still lean heavily male, which leads to female veterans often feeling invisible. For instance, women veterans recount instances of having their medals questioned, a stark reminder that their service is sometimes unacknowledged or misunderstood. This lack of recognition can deepen the psychological impact of military service, leaving some women feeling excluded from veteran support communities.
Recent findings from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide highlight the severity of this issue, noting that ex-servicewomen are twice as likely to die by suicide compared to civilian women. Additionally, rates of anxiety and PTSD are significantly higher among female veterans than their male counterparts. The data underscores the need for the military to evolve its cultural expectations, especially as the Australian Defence Force faces a recruitment shortage and is actively seeking more women recruits.
The solution is twofold: within the military, leadership must create an environment that values diverse expressions of strength beyond the traditional “warrior” stereotype. Success in military service doesn’t solely depend on toughness—it requires skills like team building, adaptability, and judgment. By recognizing and valuing these qualities, the military can become more inclusive and effective.
In the broader community, we must expand our understanding of who veterans are. For the many women who serve, acknowledgement of their service both during and after their careers is essential—not just for validation, but to mitigate the mental health impacts of identity suppression and social invisibility. Recognizing the full spectrum of service members’ identities is a necessary step toward honouring their contributions and improving their well-being post-service.
