There is a clear disconnect in the support women veterans receive between leaving the military and returning to their civilian lives. Critical Military Studies has a vein of discussion around veterans, but there is a gap in the research around the re-assimilation of women veterans.
The thesis aims to explore the importance of gender within the service and reintegration process of veterans. Whilst in the military, women work harder to earn respect than their male counterparts, whilst also performing a delicate balancing act between not behaving in an overly masculine, or too effeminate manner. The thesis will explore the impact this has on their post-military lives. This will be analysed through the lens of Judith Butler’s concept of Gender performativity and Jack Halberstam’s notion of feminine masculinity, aiming to shed light on the difficulties women veterans face when reintegrating into western societal norms.

Research Questions:
– How are women veterans expected to return to problematic western societal norms when their feminine masculinity exists within the margins of consideration and is not addressed with gender-specific support?