This week, the Association of the United States Army hosted a U.S. Army Women’s Leadership Forum at the 2024 Annual Meeting and Exposition. The forum discussed issues impacting women serving today and veterans, with focus on healthcare, family planning, and equality.

Panelist members included: Lt. Gen. Mary Krueger Izaguirre, Surgeon General and Commanding General, United States Army Medical Command, Brig. Gen. Deydre Teyhen, Director of the Defense Health Network National Capital Region and Chief of the United States Army Medical Specialist Corps, Ms. Lourdes Tiglao, Director for the Center for Women Veterans, Col. Clydea Prichard-Brown, Chief of Staff for 1st Theater Sustainment Command and Founder of the Female Mentoring and Morale Program, and Sgt.1st Class Elizabeth Marks of the Army World Class Athlete Program.

Lt. Gen. Izaguirre emphasized the focus Army leadership has recently placed on reproductive support and implementation of the Holistic Health and Fitness Program. Major successes over in the past few years include increasing access to contraceptives and policy changes to lengthen both paternity and maternity leave and the physical recovery period for women. “One of the things we do incredibly well is coming together and discussing and learning from one another… it means we can have shared experiences and that allows us to build upon them,” she stated.

Women may experience the full spectrum of fertility throughout their careers. The lack of access to menopause and perimenopause services for Soldiers and veterans, particularly for those serving in the Army Reserve and National Guard, was addressed. Brig. Gen. Teyhen stated, “Our job is to make it easier for you to access your care and actually make sure that we as a healthcare system meet you where you need us.” The work continues in adapting policy and identifying needs from the force, and emphasis was placed on continuous feedback.

Family planning presents a unique set of challenges for women that want to lead successful careers. Lt. Gen. Izaguirre stated, “The fact is, there is a window between the time you serve in the military and time you want to start a family.” Biologically, women’s fertility is at its highest from their late teens to late 20’s. This age range presents a crucial time in career development when many women are serving at the tactical level, where pregnancy is sometimes treated as a hinderance.

Col. Pritchett-Brown spoke on this ostracism, “The discussion has started. We are trying to determine why the infantry model still has to be the path to success. What other paths are there that say you are still contributing to the great parts of the military that we need out there… Because we have a culture that we are still trying to change, we are continuing to try to change that thought process and look at tracks women are taking.”

All panelists shared individual experiences combating biases unique to women and affirming their dedication to continue working to change the culture and achieve acceptance and equality for women at all stages as Soldiers for Life.