I'm a sorority girl. I have hair to my elbows, my favorite color is pink, and I almost always wear skirts and dresses in my off time. I like to shop on the weekends. And I can qualify expert with my M16 rifle.

Gentlemen, meet the newest Band of Brothers. This generation of Currahees includes approximately 200 female soldiers, from truck drivers to medics to mechanics. The new Currahees also include approximately 20 female officers, as well as numerous warrant officers and senior NCOs. We are platoon leaders, battalion physicians, executive officers, staff members, and platoon sergeants. At the time of our reactivation, our roles even included a female battalion commander, as well as the first Brigade NCO and Soldier of the Quarter. We are the face of a diverse and ever-changing Army, coming from all backgrounds and walks of life, united by a single mission: to defend the American way of life and support those who wish to overcome the oppression of our enemies.

While Congress continues to trip over the wording and parameters of female roles, we are here. Truthfully, we have been here since the war started, performing the same duties, just under different unit designations. In a war without front lines, females are at times put into combat situations, regardless of their unit. The Army's recent transformation has assigned support units to the brigade combat teams they sustain, in order to enhance modular capabilities and create a team atmosphere. Now, instead of being assigned to separate support commands and co-located with combat arms units, we are assigned to the combat arms units we sustain, providing the same level of support. In other words, instead of merely serving Currahees, we are Currahees.

As the debate on Capitol Hill rages on thousands of miles from the combat zone, we are proof that females can not only survive in an infantry brigade, but thrive here. While women are still banned from certain positions that involve increased chances of engaging in direct combat, we have shown that we are worthy and able to serve in crucial roles that make this brigade the elite fighting force that it is. Currahee women have excelled as convoy security platoon medics and truck drivers, gate and tower guards, and detainee facility personnel, among other roles. Though females are only assigned to Brigade Headquarters, 801st BSB and 4th BTB, out here it's one team, one fight. A soldier is a soldier, whether the mission is to support an infantry company or a supply company.

The 506th's transition to a mixed gender fighting force has not been without obstacles. The mixing of sexes in any field or combat environment has its own share of issues, but as is the Army way, we've learned to adapt and overcome. From the highest ranks on down, a "zero tolerance" policy for sexual harassment and unnecessary discrimination has been stressed. Soldiers and leaders who had previously only served in all-male units have learned to accept and respect females as soldiers and comrades. Those who could not comply with the high standards of conduct set by COL Vail were asked to find a new place to serve.

For many Currahees, serving in a unit with both males and females is nothing new. Many new recruits attended a coed basic training, and some soldiers had previously served in other mixed-gender units. Now, in some Currahee units, it is not unusual to find soldiers who consider some of their best "battle buddies" members of the opposite sex. In these units, soldiers are not judged by their sex, but by their ability to make a mission happen. While most Currahees would probably still say that they'd rather not see females on the front line with them, their reasons for this opinion have changed. It's no longer that they think we're too weak or incapable, it's that they tend to try harder to protect us.

The military as a whole, recognizing the changing demographic of the American soldier, has adopted a standing General Order Number One for all Multi-National Coalition Forces in Iraq. This order seeks to prevent activities that could be both a detriment to morale and a distraction from the mission. Included in this order are specific prohibitions involving the consumption of alcohol, possession of pornography, and most importantly, prohibited relationships. Soldiers are strictly forbidden from entering the quarters of or cohabiting with any member of the opposite sex who is not their spouse. Also prohibited are any relationships with local nationals, civilians, or other coalition forces, except those dictated by the mission. The purpose of this order is clear: to prevent relationships that could interfere with the mission, to reduce the chances of sexual assault, and to preserve the health and welfare of all soldiers. Strict enforcement of General Order #1 in the 506th RCT has proven effective in keeping soldiers safe and in the fight.

So what type of female does it take to be successful as one of the first female Currahees? As a leader, I stress high standards, especially in my female soldiers. Some of our soldiers were picked for this unit at random. Some, like me, volunteered to be here. But I know that as females we are being watched and judged by males who don't think we belong, and it is our duty to prove them wrong. We have to be every bit as professional and even more physically fit than most guys to show that we can pull our own weight in an infantry brigade.

Besides, I'll let you in on a secret. As a female in the Army, proving guys wrong about me is the best motivation I could ask for. I've been a runner and an athlete for years- I run my 2 miles in the 13 minute range and my 12 mile ruck march in about two and a half hours. (Not bad for a girl.) For me, there is nothing more motivating than being underestimated by someone who doesn't expect much of me, then quietly outrunning him just to prove that I can. It doesn't happen all the time, but enough to turn some heads and say, "Hey, I belong here. I'm capable of more than you think." Though it's easy to write me off because I don't look like your typical soldier, I also take pride in being technically and tactically proficient in all of my soldier skills. Just as the brigade was starting up, I got my Expert Field Medical Badge on the first try- an achievement garnered by less than 3 percent of those who try, male or female. Our brigade outperformed every other brigade in the 101st by over 300 hundred percent in that EFMB qualification, the only one held at Fort Campbell in years. It was an honor to have COL Vail in the audience when my badge was pinned on, grinning like a proud peacock with his new brigade.

Though life in a regimental combat team is not for everyone, male or female, times have changed to show that there are some females who can and will do well here. In all of life, there are males who push themselves to achieve whatever standard is set, no matter how high, and there are males who will always try to get by with the minimum effort. I believe the same is true of females. Currently the Army is operating at a capacity which requires every deployable soldier to do their part in the combat zone- regardless of their sex. So I ask, would you rather have a female soldier who will work hard to do everything you ask, a male soldier who doesn't mind shirking his duties off onto his buddies- or no soldier at all, because there aren't enough males to fill the ranks?

Upon arrival to 506th RCT, each soldier is introduced to the high standards of the Currahee brigade. No one is denied the opportunity to train hard, learn more, or become a better soldier. I have seen both males and females who have embraced this opportunity and risen to the challenge splendidly. Being a Currahee soldier is not about natural ability, or physical size, or an instinct to kill. A Currahee soldier is courageous, loyal, hard working, and full of heart. A Currahee is a well trained soldier, physically and mentally tough, always ready to give everything of themselves when called upon. There is nothing about being of a certain sex that prevents a female from being a Currahee soldier. And I am proud to say that the ladies of the new 506th Regimental Combat Team have proven that they are, indeed, true Currahee soldiers.