Super Short Summary

Soldier Girls by Helen Thorpe follows the lives of three female National Guard soldiers, Michelle Fischer, Debbie Helton, and Desma Brooks, over twelve years, detailing their enlistments, deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, and returns home. Michelle joins for education benefits, Debbie seeks community, and Desma finds purpose; their experiences illustrate the challenges women face in the military, including sexual harassment, PTSD, and solidarity among female soldiers. The book addresses sensitive issues such as sexual violence and PTSD.