Let’s be honest—when most people picture the military, they imagine action movies, heroic sacrifices, and guys running in slow motion while something explodes behind them. But women? We see something different. We see the good, the bad, and the downright ridiculous.
From jaw-dropping admiration to eye-rolling frustration, here’s what women really think about the military—and yes, we have thoughts.
- We Respect the Heck Out of You—Even If We Don’t Always Say It
Look, we may roll our eyes at your 4 a.m. workouts and your obsession with acronyms (why does everything need an acronym?), but we know military life is no joke. The discipline, the sacrifices, the willingness to serve—it’s the kind of thing that deserves a standing ovation.
We might not always say it out loud, but deep down, we’re in awe. Even if we are also in awe of the fact that you somehow survive on gas station burritos and energy drinks.
- The Haircuts…Oh, The Haircuts
We get it. There are rules. But does every military barber have just two settings—“barely there” and “oops, went too short”? Between the high-and-tight, the questionable buzz cut, and that one phase where someone tries to grow it out (bad idea, by the way), let’s just say… we notice.
And we have to ask: is there a secret contest for who can have the sharpest fade? Because if so, we think you’re all winning.
- We Know Who the Real Bosses Are
You know it. We know it. The real people running the military aren’t always the ones with the highest rank. It’s the experienced NCOs, the admin clerks who keep the paperwork straight, and—let’s not forget—the spouses holding down the home front like absolute champions.
You can have all the war plans and strategies you want, but if you forget your wedding anniversary because you “got busy,” well… good luck, soldier.
- Deployment = A Love-Hate Relationship
Deployments are hard. We won’t sugarcoat it. Whether you’re counting the days on a calendar or just hoping the Wi-Fi is strong enough for a video call, it’s an emotional rollercoaster.
On the plus side? Absence really does make the heart grow fonder. And yes, sometimes, it also makes the house a little quieter, the remote control permanently ours, and the laundry pile just a little smaller. But the moment you come back? We remember exactly why we missed you so much—right before reminding you that it’s your turn to do the dishes.
- Military Humor? It’s… an Acquired Taste
Look, we appreciate a good joke. But military humor is a special breed. It’s dark. It’s weird. And sometimes, it makes us wonder if you’ve all been locked in the same windowless room for too long.
Also, the acronyms? We get it, you love them. But at some point, we start wondering if you’re actually just making them up to mess with us.
- Swagger Is Fine—Arrogance? Not So Much
There’s confidence, and then there’s that guy—you know, the one who struts like he’s on a recruiting poster 24/7. A little swagger is great. A little “I can handle anything” attitude? Very attractive.
But if your entire personality revolves around “Yeah, I’m in the military,” then buddy, we need to talk. We already know. We saw the haircut.
- The Sacrifices? We See Them. We Feel Them. We Never Forget Them.
All jokes aside, we know military life isn’t just push-ups and cool uniforms. It’s missing birthdays, anniversaries, and the little moments that most people take for granted. It’s the stress, the uncertainty, the hurry-up-and-wait lifestyle that can drive anyone crazy.
We see the exhaustion, the long shifts, the emotional toll. And we want you to know—it doesn’t go unnoticed. It never has. It never will.
- At the End of the Day, We’re Proud of You (Even If We Tease You)
Yes, we’ll laugh at the endless “hooah” attitude. Yes, we’ll question your decision to eat MREs when there’s perfectly good food around. And yes, we will absolutely remind you that you are, in fact, human and not an indestructible machine.
But through all of that? We’re proud. Beyond words. Whether you serve for a few years or a lifetime, we know the sacrifices you make. We know what you give up. And we love you for it—even if we do wish you’d stop wearing those awful combat boots with everything.
Final Thoughts
Women see the military for what it really is—an amazing, challenging, sometimes absurd, always respectable commitment. We admire the courage, we love the loyalty, and yes, we definitely have opinions on the haircuts.
But most of all? We’re grateful. Even if we’d like just one normal civilian date night without hearing the phrase, “Well, in the military, we…”
