The Invisible War

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[patriotic music]

- Today, the latest weapons,

Coupled with the fighting skill

of the american soldier,

Stand ready on the alert

all over the world

To defend this country,

You, the american people,

against aggression.

This is the big picture.

Now, to show you part

of the big picture,

Here is sergeant stuart queen.

- The privilege of serving

the United States in uniform

Is no longer limited

to men.

[patriotic music]

- The value placed by

the women's army corps

On meticulous grooming

and feminine grace

Is one of the first lessons

learned by the recruit.

- There were demands

that would require of her

Perfect physical health

and stamina.

- Cadence count.

All:
One, two, three, four.

One, two-

three, four!

- I'm sure you've all heard

the saying,

"there's a right way,

a wrong way, and the army way."

[the women's army corps'

duty ]

- # duty is calling

you and me #

# we have a date

with destiny #

# ready

# the wacs are ready

# their pulse is steady

# the world to set free

# service

# we're in it heart and soul

# victory

is our only goal #

[fading, airplane whooshing]

- # we're looking for

computer specialists #

- # lab technicians

- # plumbers

- # carpenters

- # electricians

- # art illustrators

# statisticians

- # air controllers

- # security police

- # auto mechanics

- # fire chiefs

# look up

# we look up

here in the air force #

- 212, radar contact.

Turn right heading 150.

- With a fogbound

helicopter hanging

On your every word,

It doesn't matter whether

you're a man or a woman,

Only that you're good.

- Coming up slowly.

- # be all that you can be

- Thanks for your help.

- Roger.

- # 'cause we need you

in the army #

- I'm flying a helicopter

right now.

- Don't second-guess

yourself.

- It's a lot of work,

but it's totally worth it.

- I would just always see

the movies of the military,

And I just knew

that was me.

That's what I wanted to do.

It's what I wanted to be.

There was a-a waiting list

for the navy, over a year.

And I knew I didn't

wanna wait that long,

So, um, I had a friend

tell me about the coast guard.

And I went to the coast guard

and they said

That they could get me in

within a month, so-

I said, "okay, ship me off."

- I tried college and, um-

I had a good job at a vineyard

in east texas.

I had bought my own

little house.

And the military was something

I always wanted to do.

I come from

a military family.

I always taught that

it's every citizen's duty

To join the military.

If you can, you should.

And so I wanted

to go ahead and join,

And start a career.

- I joined the air force.

I was 17 years old.

I had a boyfriend

that encouraged me to go in.

So that's what I did.

My mom signed,

gave me permission to go.

- When I was in high school,

I was impressed

With the marines

that I had met.

There used to be

a lieutenant colonel

That used to run laps around

the track

After soccer practice.

And he said, "you'd be

perfect for the marine corps,

"'cause you're really fit

and smart.

And that's what

the marine corps needs."

The professionalism,

the camaraderie,

Everything about it

inspired me.

- After I graduated

high school,

I left for orlando, florida,

which was

The first time I was ever

on an airplane in my life.

[chuckles]

Initially it was just

wanting to go see the world,

'cause I'm from

a really small town.

I had a college scholarship

to go play basketball,

But I instead opted to go

into the military.

You know, it's what

I chose to do.

- I come from a long line

of military lineage.

Somebody from every generation

on both sides of the family,

All the way back

to the revolutionary war,

Had served

in the armed forces.

I chose the marine corps

because

No one in my family

had ever done it.

- I love putting on

a uniform every day

And, you know,

just getting out there

And giving it my all,

and-

It's a very proud feeling.

All:
1, 1,000, 2, 1,000,

All:
He's a piece...

- I would have done boot camp

over and over again.

It was great,

the camaraderie, the discipline.

Everything it taught you-

Who I wanted to be,

That's what

they taught you there.

- Obviously it was different

taking a shower

With 80 different people

all of the sudden,

'cause I was pretty shy.

Um, but, just a great

experience.

I was a 4-"o" sailor.

Every single report

done on me was,

"excellent, great."

I knew what I needed to do

in my job.

I was a great team leader.

- I really enjoyed

the whole challenge of it.

I got several different

awards and kudos.

It was mainly men.

I loved that I could

blend in,

And keep up with the guys,

and work as hard as I did.

[cheers and applause]

- The naval academy

was challenging.

The education

was top-notch.

My senior year

I was selected to be

One of the top 30

leadership positions

By the company-grade

officers there.

- After basic,

I went to

Naval security group,

adak, alaska.

I remember getting there,

you know,

Issued a parka.

Got set up in my room,

and then he

Took me to the "bar,"

which was in our barracks

And set down at a table

where it was me

And about ten other guys.

And, you know, kinda

felt like a piece of meat

On a slab,

at that point.

And I never wanted

to turn around and leave

So much in my life,

but I couldn't.

- Hi, mama.

- You go.

You go get it this time.

- Okay.

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