Band of Sisters

The Iraq War, which has been going on for 52 months - longer than American involvement in World War II - has seen a dramatic change in the role of women in the military. Female military personnel are flying, patrolling and fighting in combat zones and the importance of their presence is increasing. Band of Sisters: American women at war in Iraq, by Kirsten Holmstedt, relates the experiences of 12 women who have been deployed to Iraq. She has interviewed both enlisted and officers, and members of four branches of the service: Army, Navy, Air Force and the Marines. Each story is different and each person is unique, but the underlying thread is the determination of these women to do their duty, to serve their country, and to protect their fellow soldiers and sailors. According to Holmstedt, over 155,000 women have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, with over 430 casualties and 70 deaths. In addition to undertaking the same duties and making the same sacrifices as their male comrades, these women have been instrumental in establishing community relations and maintaining security in a region where men and women do not mingle. The women in this book have been shot down, blown up, and shot people themselves. Their stories are gripping and emotional, and this book is a powerful read.