Be All You Can Be - Women in the Army

The period of the “Be All You Can Be” Army—the 1980s and 1990s—was one of rapid change and transition for those in uniform. The Cold War ended but conflicts in the Middle East, Africa, the Balkans, and the Caribbean resulted in U.S. military intervention. Women found themselves serving around the world in multiple and varying types of operations as new career opportunities continually opened. Even so, restrictions on women’s service remained, but changing policies on the utilization of women in combat operations illustrated the Army’s effort to tackle never-before-faced challenges. While women’s roles continued to be debated, a consensus emerged about the quality and value of Army women’s service. The Army had successfully integrated women into its ranks.