In this provocative interview, Margaret Stevens, a member of Iraq Veterans Against the War, discusses the challenges and contradictions of serving in the military. Stevens, who comes from what she describes as a 60’s radical family, joined the NJ National Guard straight out of high school.

Stevens offers an account not only of the abuses that take place within the military from day one but also of the benefits and opportunities the military provides working class American men and women.

What is the experience of women serving in today’s military? If the US military functions to serve what is already a sexist and racist society can women alter that culture? We imagine that women in the military might change the military. Find out here why it’s not so simple.