In July 1977, I joined the Army and completed basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. When I was assigned to an all-female unit, I was amazed at the diverse group of women of all shapes and sizes from all parts of the country and from all walks of life living together in this new environment. As a 98-pound weakling soaking wet in my uniform, I must admit that I was a scared.

All female recruits were housed in red-brick building, called barracks, which were furnished...