That is not the organization I refer to but the women who have made incredible sacrifices to serve our country. Today there are over 200,000 women in all branches of the United States Military combined with approximately 10 to 15 percent of them serving in high ranking positions. Throughout our history nearly two million women have heard the call to assist our U.S. Military.

War is not new to American women. Our daughters have been involved in war since before the American Revolution. The women who fought as soldiers usually disguised themselves as men and took on a male name to serve our country. One noted individual was Deborah Samson of Plympton, Massachusetts who signed on as Robert Shirtliffe in the fall of 1778.

Deborah Samson served as Robert Shirtliffe for three years. She was discovered after coming down with a brain fever. The doctor on call kept her secret until her recovery where the delicate information of true sexual identity was passed along to her commanding officer and she was dismissed (supposedly via a discharge from General Washington after she delivered a note from her commanding officer as Robert Shirtliffe…such is the stuff of legends).

From the American Revolution to the Civil War there are the few American women soldiers we know of who have made special mention like Deborah Samson and probably many more that we do not know of. These American daughters kept their secrets and usually were not discovered until being seriously or fatally wounded. Some are noted as being discovered on the battle fields, including two Confederate women following the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863.

Our daughters have been more than soldiers, they’ve been spies too. Lydia Barrington Darragh, Ann Trotter Bailey, Sarah Bradlee Fulton and Emily Geiger are noted for their efforts in the American Revolution. A few nurses in the Civil War gathered useful information from prisoners to pass along for their cause.

A famous WWII daughter from Baltimore was such a successful spy that the Nazis were always seeking her. Virginia Hall escaped France before her arrest once and had enough gumption to return a few years later to keep up her good work. She was awarded America’s Distinguished Service Cross.

With all these women contributing to the success of our military throughout all of our American history, even pre-American Revolution, should we be surprised if we find a daughter considering life in the military? It may be for a myriad of reasons, perhaps to serve in the states or abroad. Maybe she wants to learn a specialized trade.

I had once considered joining the military and on reflection wish that I had some kind of support to understand the pros and cons outside of advertised benefits or the influence of a recruiter to find out if the reasons where right for me.

Whatever your daughter’s reasons, know that she is capable, but if you have reservations an organization designed to mentor women considering the military, the Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN), can offer support.

Find out more about SWAN at Service Women’s Action Network.