audio, stills, text and or video: Go to http://www.zReportage.com to see more - For the first time in its 232-year existence as an independent nation, America is fighting a war with a military machine that is dependent on women. More than 200,000 women are on active duty in the U.S. armed services and an additional 150,000 serve in the National Guard and Reserves - an estimated 100,000 of them have served in the Iraq combat theater so far. Women make up 19 percent of the Navy, 15 percent of the Army, 20 percent of the Air Force and 24 percent of the Army Reserve..
© Renee C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com/zReportage.com/ZUMA

For the first time in its 232-year existence as an independent nation, America is fighting a war with a military machine that is dependent on women. More than 200,000 women are on active duty in the U.S. armed services and an additional 150,000 serve in the National Guard and Reserves - an estimated 100,000 of them have served in the Iraq combat theater so far. Women make up 19 percent of the Navy, 15 percent of the Army, 20 percent of the Air Force and 24 percent of the Army Reserve..PICTURED - Jan 10, 2004 - San Luis Obispo, CA, U.S. - Mar 03, 2008 - San Luis Obispo, CA, USA - Sgt. 1st class ELIZABETH SAUCEDO, 46, from Fairfield served one year in Iraq and has been in the service for 17 years. Here she shoots a M16A2 while qualifying for target training at Camp..
© 169; Renee C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press

For the first time in its 232-year existence as an independent nation, America is fighting a war with a military machine that is dependent on women. More than 200,000 women are on active duty in the U.S. armed services and an additional 150,000 serve in the National Guard and Reserves - an estimated 100,000 of them have served in the Iraq combat theater so far. Women make up 19 percent of the Navy, 15 percent of the Army, 20 percent of the Air Force and 24 percent of the Army Reserve..PICTURED - Sep 09, 2004 - Menlo Park, CA, U.S. - D. J. LEHMANN, 46, a veteran who was abused talks about her experience being treated for PTSD in Menlo Park on Tuesday November 9, 2004.
© 169; Renee C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press

For the first time in its 232-year existence as an independent nation, America is fighting a war with a military machine that is dependent on women. More than 200,000 women are on active duty in the U.S. armed services and an additional 150,000 serve in the National Guard and Reserves - an estimated 100,000 of them have served in the Iraq combat theater so far. Women make up 19 percent of the Navy, 15 percent of the Army, 20 percent of the Air Force and 24 percent of the Army Reserve..PICTURED - Nov 11, 2004 - Sacramento, CA, U.S. - PAMELA 'PK' SHULTZ, 48, a patient account representative with Option Care in Sacramento wears her uniform to work on Veteran's Day, November 11, 2004. Shultz who suffers from post tramatic stress disorder after serving in Jordan as a master sergeant in the Air Force reserve's 163rd Air Refueling Wing was having a hard time acclimating to civilian life after retiring from the Reserves. She wore the uniform to bring awareness to her co-workers about her emotional struggle, and the struggles of other soldiers serving in Iraq.
© 169; Renee C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press

For the first time in its 232-year existence as an independent nation, America is fighting a war with a military machine that is dependent on women. More than 200,000 women are on active duty in the U.S. armed services and an additional 150,000 serve in the National Guard and Reserves - an estimated 100,000 of them have served in the Iraq combat theater so far. Women make up 19 percent of the Navy, 15 percent of the Army, 20 percent of the Air Force and 24 percent of the Army Reserve..PICTURED - Nov 20, 2004 - Sacramento, CA, U.S. - PAMELA 'PK' SHULTZ, 48, breaks down crying and is consoled by RACHEL CARTER, 12, who was volunteering with the youth group from Wesleyan church after she prayed for a homeless woman while serving Thanksgiving dinner for the homeless in Sacramento on Saturday November 20, 2004. Schultz suffers from post tramatic stress disorder after serving in Jordan as a master sergeant in the Air Force Reserve's 163rd Air Refueling Wing.
© 169; Renee C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press

For the first time in its 232-year existence as an independent nation, America is fighting a war with a military machine that is dependent on women. More than 200,000 women are on active duty in the U.S. armed services and an additional 150,000 serve in the National Guard and Reserves - an estimated 100,000 of them have served in the Iraq combat theater so far. Women make up 19 percent of the Navy, 15 percent of the Army, 20 percent of the Air Force and 24 percent of the Army Reserve..PICTURED - Nov 26, 2004 - Sacramento, CA, U.S. - PAMELA 'PK' SHULTZ 48, rests on the footlocker which possessed all her belongings that she had while serving as a master sergeant in the Reserves in Jordan. Dave Drenth, right , a member of the Christian Motorcycle Association comforts her during her move from her house into a duplex on Friday November 26, 2004. Schultz, a born-again Christian was overwhelmed with the move and the help she got from volunteers from her church and Christian motorcycle group.
© 169; Renee C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press

For the first time in its 232-year existence as an independent nation, America is fighting a war with a military machine that is dependent on women. More than 200,000 women are on active duty in the U.S. armed services and an additional 150,000 serve in the National Guard and Reserves - an estimated 100,000 of them have served in the Iraq combat theater so far. Women make up 19 percent of the Navy, 15 percent of the Army, 20 percent of the Air Force and 24 percent of the Army Reserve..PICTURED - Nov 27, 2004 - Sacramento, CA, U.S. - PAMELA 'PK' SHULTZ, 48, carries boxes into her truck while down sizing from a house she could no longer afford to a duplex apartment in Sacramento on Friday November 27, 2004. On the floor of her garage rests a picture of her from when she was awarded outstanding NCO (Non Commisioned Officer) in 2000. The picture is too painful to put up now she says. She lost her truck on Friday January 21st because she was four months behind in payments.
© 169; Renee C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press

For the first time in its 232-year existence as an independent nation, America is fighting a war with a military machine that is dependent on women. More than 200,000 women are on active duty in the U.S. armed services and an additional 150,000 serve in the National Guard and Reserves - an estimated 100,000 of them have served in the Iraq combat theater so far. Women make up 19 percent of the Navy, 15 percent of the Army, 20 percent of the Air Force and 24 percent of the Army Reserve..PICTURED - Nov 29, 2004 - Sacramento, CA, U.S. - In her final moments at home with her family, SHAYMYIA STALLWORTH, 5, left, lies catatonic on the couch as her mother SHARON STALLWORTH, 36, a California National Guard soldier home for Thanksgiving hugs three other siblings before her one year departure to Iraq Monday morning November 29, 2004. Stallworth tried to bring the children to school that morning but they were so emotional she decided to bring them back to her parents home where they are now living. Although not married she wears a wedding ring on her finger to keep the military men from hitting up on her.
© 169; Renee C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press

For the first time in its 232-year existence as an independent nation, America is fighting a war with a military machine that is dependent on women. More than 200,000 women are on active duty in the U.S. armed services and an additional 150,000 serve in the National Guard and Reserves - an estimated 100,000 of them have served in the Iraq combat theater so far. Women make up 19 percent of the Navy, 15 percent of the Army, 20 percent of the Air Force and 24 percent of the Army Reserve..PICTURED - Nov 29, 2004 - Sacramento, CA, U.S. - An emotionally wrought Sgt. SHARON STALLWORTH, 36,wipes tears as she carries a Christmas tree along with her desert storm fatigues and boots while turning away from her children toward the doorway so they couldn't see how upset she was on her departure for her one year deployement to Iraq on November 29, 2004.
© 169; Renee C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press

For the first time in its 232-year existence as an independent nation, America is fighting a war with a military machine that is dependent on women. More than 200,000 women are on active duty in the U.S. armed services and an additional 150,000 serve in the National Guard and Reserves - an estimated 100,000 of them have served in the Iraq combat theater so far. Women make up 19 percent of the Navy, 15 percent of the Army, 20 percent of the Air Force and 24 percent of the Army Reserve..PICTURED - Nov 29, 2004 - Sacramento, CA, U.S. - RAKEAL STALLWORTH, right, bursts out in tears while her mother SHARON STALLWORTH, 36, tries to bring her to school about an hour before she leaves for deployment to Iraq. Stallworth who is a California National Guard soldier couldn't calm her children down and wound up bringing them home to stay with their grandmother.
© 169; Renee C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press

For the first time in its 232-year existence as an independent nation, America is fighting a war with a military machine that is dependent on women. More than 200,000 women are on active duty in the U.S. armed services and an additional 150,000 serve in the National Guard and Reserves - an estimated 100,000 of them have served in the Iraq combat theater so far. Women make up 19 percent of the Navy, 15 percent of the Army, 20 percent of the Air Force and 24 percent of the Army Reserve..PICTURED - Dec 08, 2004 - Fort Lewis, WA, U.S. - Sgt. ROBERT BOGGS, 37, of Marysville reacts as Sgt. YOLANDA MEDINA, 30, of Southern, CA forgets how to put a M249 Saw squad automatic weapon back together during a private training lesson he was giving on Wednesday December 8, 2004. Medina who doesn't usually use this weapon needs to know how to work it incase of emergency.
© 169; Renee C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press

For the first time in its 232-year existence as an independent nation, America is fighting a war with a military machine that is dependent on women. More than 200,000 women are on active duty in the U.S. armed services and an additional 150,000 serve in the National Guard and Reserves - an estimated 100,000 of them have served in the Iraq combat theater so far. Women make up 19 percent of the Navy, 15 percent of the Army, 20 percent of the Air Force and 24 percent of the Army Reserve..PICTURED - Dec 09, 2004 - Fort Lewis, WA, U.S. - Sgt. YOLANDA MEDINA, 30, of Southern California works up a sweat during physical training as she rides a bike in the gym in Fort Lewis, WA on Thursday December 9, 2004. She is a truck driver who already served in the Iraq war and is going back for a one year deployement.
© 169; Renee C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press

For the first time in its 232-year existence as an independent nation, America is fighting a war with a military machine that is dependent on women. More than 200,000 women are on active duty in the U.S. armed services and an additional 150,000 serve in the National Guard and Reserves - an estimated 100,000 of them have served in the Iraq combat theater so far. Women make up 19 percent of the Navy, 15 percent of the Army, 20 percent of the Air Force and 24 percent of the Army Reserve..PICTURED - Dec 09, 2004 - Fort Lewis, WA, U.S. - Sgt. YOLANDA MEDINA, 30, second from left, from Southern California stands in line to get clearance for departure to Iraq in Fort Lewis, WA on Thursday December 9, 2004. Medina, who already served one year in Iraq, told other female soldiers waiting to leave for Iraq, that they may think twice before reporting a male soldier for sexual harassment because you don't know if that soldier will save your life.
© 169; Renee C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press

For the first time in its 232-year existence as an independent nation, America is fighting a war with a military machine that is dependent on women. More than 200,000 women are on active duty in the U.S. armed services and an additional 150,000 serve in the National Guard and Reserves - an estimated 100,000 of them have served in the Iraq combat theater so far. Women make up 19 percent of the Navy, 15 percent of the Army, 20 percent of the Air Force and 24 percent of the Army Reserve..PICTURED - Dec 09, 2004 - Fort Lewis, WA, U.S. - 2nd Lt. EMILY MORRIS, 33, of Modesto tries to break away from choke hold made by Sgt. KEITH CHESSER, 38, of Redding. The soldiers are undergoing hand-to-hand combat training in Fort Lewis, WA in preparation for a tour of duty where the combat zone is everywhere in Iraq. This one of her last training classes before departing to Iraq.
© 169; Renee C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press

For the first time in its 232-year existence as an independent nation, America is fighting a war with a military machine that is dependent on women. More than 200,000 women are on active duty in the U.S. armed services and an additional 150,000 serve in the National Guard and Reserves - an estimated 100,000 of them have served in the Iraq combat theater so far. Women make up 19 percent of the Navy, 15 percent of the Army, 20 percent of the Air Force and 24 percent of the Army Reserve..PICTURED - Dec 09, 2004 - Fort Lewis, WA, U.S. - Specialist KRYSTLE REID, 19, of Antioch, CA packs M16 A2 weapons that weren't assigned to anyone for transport to Iraq in the weapons storage facility at Fort Lewis, WA on Thursday December 9, 2004. Reid who was getting ready for a one year deployment to Iraq is the company armorer.
© 169; Renee C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press

For the first time in its 232-year existence as an independent nation, America is fighting a war with a military machine that is dependent on women. More than 200,000 women are on active duty in the U.S. armed services and an additional 150,000 serve in the National Guard and Reserves - an estimated 100,000 of them have served in the Iraq combat theater so far. Women make up 19 percent of the Navy, 15 percent of the Army, 20 percent of the Air Force and 24 percent of the Army Reserve..PICTURED - Dec 09, 2004 - Fort Lewis, WA, U.S. - Sgt. SHARON STALLWORTH, 36, of Sacramento waits for her turn in the shower with her manicured toes and flower thongs inside the barracks of Fort Lewis, WA. All the women in the unit must wear thongs because several of the women have been treated for foot allergies. The Flowered thongs are a deviation from the black standard-issue thongs. This is the facility they have been training at before their one year deployement to Iraq.
© 169; Renee C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press

For the first time in its 232-year existence as an independent nation, America is fighting a war with a military machine that is dependent on women. More than 200,000 women are on active duty in the U.S. armed services and an additional 150,000 serve in the National Guard and Reserves - an estimated 100,000 of them have served in the Iraq combat theater so far. Women make up 19 percent of the Navy, 15 percent of the Army, 20 percent of the Air Force and 24 percent of the Army Reserve..PICTURED - Dec 09, 2004 - Fort Lewis, WA, U.S. - Sgt. SHARON STALLWORTH waits to get into the mess hall to eat lunch with other members of her plattoon from California at Fort Lewis, WA on Wednesday December 8, 2004. She had special permission to wear a scarf because she had her wisdom teeth pulled out the day before in preparation for her trip to Iraq.
© 169; Renee C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press

For the first time in its 232-year existence as an independent nation, America is fighting a war with a military machine that is dependent on women. More than 200,000 women are on active duty in the U.S. armed services and an additional 150,000 serve in the National Guard and Reserves - an estimated 100,000 of them have served in the Iraq combat theater so far. Women make up 19 percent of the Navy, 15 percent of the Army, 20 percent of the Air Force and 24 percent of the Army Reserve..PICTURED - Dec 09, 2004 - Fort Lewis, WA, U.S. - Sgt. SHARON STALLWORTH, 36, right, of Sacramento and Specialist Brenda Sanchez, cq, 19, of Fresno, left, adjust their Beret's before going to their early morning formation stand-up on Thursday December 9, 2004.
© 169; Renee C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press

For the first time in its 232-year existence as an independent nation, America is fighting a war with a military machine that is dependent on women. More than 200,000 women are on active duty in the U.S. armed services and an additional 150,000 serve in the National Guard and Reserves - an estimated 100,000 of them have served in the Iraq combat theater so far. Women make up 19 percent of the Navy, 15 percent of the Army, 20 percent of the Air Force and 24 percent of the Army Reserve..PICTURED - Dec 14, 2004 - Menlo Park, CA, U.S. - ELAYNA REYNA (R), who suffers from PTSD, learns how to punch as she winds up for a strike during a women's self defense class at Menlo park on Tuesday December 14, 2004. Menlo Park is a VA residential program for women suffering from PTSD. ''I want to live, I don't want to be a victim,'' said Reyna who served as a combat nurse during the Korean War. ''This three month course saved my life, '' she said.
© 169; Renee C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press

For the first time in its 232-year existence as an independent nation, America is fighting a war with a military machine that is dependent on women. More than 200,000 women are on active duty in the U.S. armed services and an additional 150,000 serve in the National Guard and Reserves - an estimated 100,000 of them have served in the Iraq combat theater so far. Women make up 19 percent of the Navy, 15 percent of the Army, 20 percent of the Air Force and 24 percent of the Army Reserve..PICTURED - Dec 16, 2004 - Fort Lewis, WA, U.S. - Truck driver Sgt. YOLANDA MEDINA, 30, of Southern CA rests on her bunk in the women's barracks of the 2668th transportation company. ''We are trained to run over the enemy. The trucks are so big we can't even feel it,'' said Medina who served in Iraq and is going back for another one year deployment.
© 169; Renee C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press

For the first time in its 232-year existence as an independent nation, America is fighting a war with a military machine that is dependent on women. More than 200,000 women are on active duty in the U.S. armed services and an additional 150,000 serve in the National Guard and Reserves - an estimated 100,000 of them have served in the Iraq combat theater so far. Women make up 19 percent of the Navy, 15 percent of the Army, 20 percent of the Air Force and 24 percent of the Army Reserve..PICTURED - Jan 10, 2005 - San Luis Obispo, CA, U.S. - Soldiers from the 349th Quartermaster Co., from Vallejo return for their weapons after checking their targets on a wet muddy day at Camp San Luis Obispo, Monday January 10, 2005. They were trying to qualify on their weapons. Several did not qualify and had to return the following morning. As each member took turns shooting at the target, the others had to stand behind the red line.
© 169; Renee C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press

For the first time in its 232-year existence as an independent nation, America is fighting a war with a military machine that is dependent on women. More than 200,000 women are on active duty in the U.S. armed services and an additional 150,000 serve in the National Guard and Reserves - an estimated 100,000 of them have served in the Iraq combat theater so far. Women make up 19 percent of the Navy, 15 percent of the Army, 20 percent of the Air Force and 24 percent of the Army Reserve..PICTURED - Jan 10, 2005 - San Luis Obispo, CA, U.S. - National Guard Specialist ALEXANDRA CERDA, 21, of Delano gives the thumbs up to her partner after hitting her target during weapons qualifications at Camp San Luis Obispo on Monday January 10, 2005. The soldiers shot in the rain most of the day. Cerda who served one year in Iraq returned April 2004.
© 169; Renee C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press

For the first time in its 232-year existence as an independent nation, America is fighting a war with a military machine that is dependent on women. More than 200,000 women are on active duty in the U.S. armed services and an additional 150,000 serve in the National Guard and Reserves - an estimated 100,000 of them have served in the Iraq combat theater so far. Women make up 19 percent of the Navy, 15 percent of the Army, 20 percent of the Air Force and 24 percent of the Army Reserve..PICTURED - Jan 10, 2005 - San Luis Obispo, CA, U.S. - National Guard Specialist RANBIR KAUR, 19, is reflected in a mirror with other women from the 349th Quartermaster Company from Vallejo as they wash up after 8-hours of weapons training in the rain at camp San Luis Obispo on Monday January 10, 2005. The facility has no women's only restroom.
© 169; Renee C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press

For the first time in its 232-year existence as an independent nation, America is fighting a war with a military machine that is dependent on women. More than 200,000 women are on active duty in the U.S. armed services and an additional 150,000 serve in the National Guard and Reserves - an estimated 100,000 of them have served in the Iraq combat theater so far. Women make up 19 percent of the Navy, 15 percent of the Army, 20 percent of the Air Force and 24 percent of the Army Reserve..PICTURED - Jan 11, 2005 - San Luis Obispo, CA, U.S. - Specialist RANBIR KAUR (R), 19, of Earlimart, is lost in thought while attempting to clean her M16 A2 weapon during a training class as Staff Sgt. Jason Washington, left, 40, of Vallejo works on his gun at Camp San Luis Obispo on January 11, 2005. Kaur got help from several of the men to clean her gun during the class.
© 169; Renee C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press

For the first time in its 232-year existence as an independent nation, America is fighting a war with a military machine that is dependent on women. More than 200,000 women are on active duty in the U.S. armed services and an additional 150,000 serve in the National Guard and Reserves - an estimated 100,000 of them have served in the Iraq combat theater so far. Women make up 19 percent of the Navy, 15 percent of the Army, 20 percent of the Air Force and 24 percent of the Army Reserve..PICTURED - Jan 11, 2005 - San Luis Obispo, CA, U.S. - Taking a smoking break during a weapons training class at Camp San Luis Obispo are from left to right Sgt. KIANA PARKS, 25, of Vacaville, BRENDA MONROE, 40, of Sacramento, and Sgt. REBECCA HUMBARD, 40, of Antioch. Humbard said she had quit smoking for 14 years but started up again in Iraq to deal with the stress. Parks has been fighting for custody of her 4-year-old son. She says she has lost two years of her son's life since her unit came back from Iraq last year.
© 169; Renee C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press

For the first time in its 232-year existence as an independent nation, America is fighting a war with a military machine that is dependent on women. More than 200,000 women are on active duty in the U.S. armed services and an additional 150,000 serve in the National Guard and Reserves - an estimated 100,000 of them have served in the Iraq combat theater so far. Women make up 19 percent of the Navy, 15 percent of the Army, 20 percent of the Air Force and 24 percent of the Army Reserve..PICTURED - Jan 14, 2005 - Sacramento, CA, U.S. - On the one year anniversary of the death of Army Sgt. Keicia Coleman Hines, who lost her life in Iraq, her family from right to left, her mom BEVERLY COLEMAN, her grandmother MARY COLEMAN, her aunt PHYLLIS CHARLES, her great aunt PATSY COLEMAN and her great grandmother IDA WHEELER, pay respects at her gravesite at the Veteran's memorial at St. Mary's cemetary in Sacramento. At age 27, Keicia was the youngest and last member of the Coleman family tree. ''Everything I had was going to her, I have to rethink all that now,'' said her aunt Phyllis Charles.
© 169; Renee C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press

For the first time in its 232-year existence as an independent nation, America is fighting a war with a military machine that is dependent on women. More than 200,000 women are on active duty in the U.S. armed services and an additional 150,000 serve in the National Guard and Reserves - an estimated 100,000 of them have served in the Iraq combat theater so far. Women make up 19 percent of the Navy, 15 percent of the Army, 20 percent of the Air Force and 24 percent of the Army Reserve..PICTURED - Jan 24, 2005 - Sacramento, CA, U.S. - Family members decorated the grave of Army Sgt Keicia Coleman Hines on the one year anniversary of her death at the veteran's memorial at St. Mary's cemetary in Sacramento on Friday January 14, 2005. She died in a truck accident but her mother has no knowledge of who ran her over or the circumstances of her death. At the age of 27 she was the youngest and last member of the Coleman family tree.
© 169; Renee C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press

For the first time in its 232-year existence as an independent nation, America is fighting a war with a military machine that is dependent on women. More than 200,000 women are on active duty in the U.S. armed services and an additional 150,000 serve in the National Guard and Reserves - an estimated 100,000 of them have served in the Iraq combat theater so far. Women make up 19 percent of the Navy, 15 percent of the Army, 20 percent of the Air Force and 24 percent of the Army Reserve..PICTURED - Jan 26, 2005 - Washington , DC, U.S. - JULIAN GONZALEZ, 6, and his dad RICH GONZALEZ, 33, cook dinner together at their home in Modesto while a drawing that Julian made of his mom in combat decorates their refridgerator on Tuesday January 26, 2005.
© 169; Renee C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press

For the first time in its 232-year existence as an independent nation, America is fighting a war with a military machine that is dependent on women. More than 200,000 women are on active duty in the U.S. armed services and an additional 150,000 serve in the National Guard and Reserves - an estimated 100,000 of them have served in the Iraq combat theater so far. Women make up 19 percent of the Navy, 15 percent of the Army, 20 percent of the Air Force and 24 percent of the Army Reserve..PICTURED - Jan 26, 2005 - Sacramento, CA, U.S. - JULIAN GONZALEZ, 6, right, prays with his dad RICK GONZALEZ, 33, left, before eating a dinner they prepared of fajitas, rice and beans at their home in Modesto. ''You prayed a long time Julian, did you pray for your mom?'' asked Rich Gonzalez. ''Oh, yes'' Julian replied. Julian's mom 2nd Lt. Emily Morris, 33, was deployed to Iraq and his father may have to go too.
© 169; Renee C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press

For the first time in its 232-year existence as an independent nation, America is fighting a war with a military machine that is dependent on women. More than 200,000 women are on active duty in the U.S. armed services and an additional 150,000 serve in the National Guard and Reserves - an estimated 100,000 of them have served in the Iraq combat theater so far. Women make up 19 percent of the Navy, 15 percent of the Army, 20 percent of the Air Force and 24 percent of the Army Reserve..PICTURED - Feb 10, 2005 - San Luis Obispo, CA, U.S. - National guard Private 3rd class DIANA SINOBAGO, 18, right, of Delano is one of five women from the 349th quarter master unit from Vallejo waiting for a debriefing after completing weapons qualification on Monday January 10, 2005. The women from left to right are Sgt. REBECCA HUMBARD, 40, from Antioch, Sgt 1st class ELIZABETH SAUCEDO, 46, of Fairfield, Specialist RANBIR KAUR, 19, of Earlimart, Specialist MELANIE ZAPATA, 19, of Earlimart and DIANA SINOBAGO, 18, right, of Delano.
© 169; Renee C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press

For the first time in its 232-year existence as an independent nation, America is fighting a war with a military machine that is dependent on women. More than 200,000 women are on active duty in the U.S. armed services and an additional 150,000 serve in the National Guard and Reserves - an estimated 100,000 of them have served in the Iraq combat theater so far. Women make up 19 percent of the Navy, 15 percent of the Army, 20 percent of the Air Force and 24 percent of the Army Reserve..PICTURED - Feb 10, 2005 - San Luis Obispo, CA, U.S. - Specialist MELANIE ZAPATA, 19, of Earlimart, CA who recently got married wears her engagement ring while holding her bullets for her weapons Qualifications testing at Camp San Luis Obispo on Monday January 10, 2005. ''Before it doesn't cross our minds but now there is no hesitation do you want to come home alive or in a casket?'' said Zapata.
© 169; Renee C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press

For the first time in its 232-year existence as an independent nation, America is fighting a war with a military machine that is dependent on women. More than 200,000 women are on active duty in the U.S. armed services and an additional 150,000 serve in the National Guard and Reserves - an estimated 100,000 of them have served in the Iraq combat theater so far. Women make up 19 percent of the Navy, 15 percent of the Army, 20 percent of the Air Force and 24 percent of the Army Reserve..PICTURED - Feb 10, 2005 - Earlimart, CA, U.S. - JOANNE CONNELLY, left, career center technician at Delano High School hugs RANBIR KAUR, right, 19, who's distraught over the possibility of serving in Iraq as a sniper. ''My son was also a sniper. I'm so proud of you,'' said Connelly. Kaur was confused because she hadn't received official word yet on her deployment status and believed she wasn't adequately trained to be a sniper.
© 169; Renee C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press

For the first time in its 232-year existence as an independent nation, America is fighting a war with a military machine that is dependent on women. More than 200,000 women are on active duty in the U.S. armed services and an additional 150,000 serve in the National Guard and Reserves - an estimated 100,000 of them have served in the Iraq combat theater so far. Women make up 19 percent of the Navy, 15 percent of the Army, 20 percent of the Air Force and 24 percent of the Army Reserve..PICTURED - Feb 11, 2005 - Earlimart, CA, U.S. - RANBIR KAUR, 19, center, checks out the cards of her 45-year-old dad MAHAN NIJJAR, 45, left, as her grandfather KARAM SINGH, 78, right, visiting from India studies his hand at their home in Earlimart on Tuesday February 9, 2005. Above them pictured on the wall are Sikh Gurus, a reflection of their Sikh religion. The family relocated from Punjab in Northern India in 1993.
© 169; Renee C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press

For the first time in its 232-year existence as an independent nation, America is fighting a war with a military machine that is dependent on women. More than 200,000 women are on active duty in the U.S. armed services and an additional 150,000 serve in the National Guard and Reserves - an estimated 100,000 of them have served in the Iraq combat theater so far. Women make up 19 percent of the Navy, 15 percent of the Army, 20 percent of the Air Force and 24 percent of the Army Reserve..PICTURED - Feb 11, 2005 - Earlimart, CA, U.S. - RANDIR KAUR,19, is depended on by her father MAHAN NIJJAR, 45, right, to do all the family bills for their home and business. The weekly ritual usually takes place on her parents bed in Earlimart.
© 169; Renee C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press

For the first time in its 232-year existence as an independent nation, America is fighting a war with a military machine that is dependent on women. More than 200,000 women are on active duty in the U.S. armed services and an additional 150,000 serve in the National Guard and Reserves - an estimated 100,000 of them have served in the Iraq combat theater so far. Women make up 19 percent of the Navy, 15 percent of the Army, 20 percent of the Air Force and 24 percent of the Army Reserve..PICTURED - Feb 12, 2005 - San Luis Obispo, CA, U.S. - Specialist RANBIR KAUR, 19, (Second from left), of Earlimart takes off for a qualifying run at Camp San Luis Obispo on Wednesday January 12, 2005. She was the first woman to qualify her time during the run.
© 169; Renee C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press

For the first time in its 232-year existence as an independent nation, America is fighting a war with a military machine that is dependent on women. More than 200,000 women are on active duty in the U.S. armed services and an additional 150,000 serve in the National Guard and Reserves - an estimated 100,000 of them have served in the Iraq combat theater so far. Women make up 19 percent of the Navy, 15 percent of the Army, 20 percent of the Air Force and 24 percent of the Army Reserve..PICTURED - Feb 21, 2005 - Washington , DC, U.S. - After four years in the US Army ''GINA'' puts away her dress uniform after reporting her commanding officer for sexual harrassment in Iraq. ''Gina'' who lives in fear from the officer who afterwards threatened her was to afraid to use her real name. ''Basically it's a fair game on women soldiers and nothing's going to happen,'' she said. ''You're a piece of meat.'' ..
© 169; Renee C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press

For the first time in its 232-year existence as an independent nation, America is fighting a war with a military machine that is dependent on women. More than 200,000 women are on active duty in the U.S. armed services and an additional 150,000 serve in the National Guard and Reserves - an estimated 100,000 of them have served in the Iraq combat theater so far. Women make up 19 percent of the Navy, 15 percent of the Army, 20 percent of the Air Force and 24 percent of the Army Reserve..PICTURED - Feb 21, 2005 - Washington , DC, U.S. - ''Gina'' says she doesn't even have all the stripes that should be issued to her on her dress uniform from the US Army where she served four years and left from disgust after being harrassed in Iraq.
© 169; Renee C. Byer/Sacramento Bee/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press