"We weren’t treated any differently because everyone has their own mission." (Video Interview, 21:50)

Jayne H. Cooley

Jayne Cooley, 2003. War: Persian Gulf War, 1990-1995 Branch: Army Nurse Corps Unit: 31st Combat Support Hospital Service Location: Saudi Arabia Highest Rank: Colonel Place of Birth: Buffalo, NY

Like many Baby Boomers, Jayne Cooley had a father who served in World War II, but she had no designs on a career in the military. However, in 1978, a friend persuaded her to join the Army Reserves for a chance to supplement her income as a private duty nurse. Twelve years later, Cooley was called up to serve in the Persian Gulf War. She worked in the operating room of a 400-bed hospital that was 10 miles from the front lines, treating American GIs and Iraqi POWs alike. The Army made sure that its women and men were treated exactly the same, but things were different when Cooley went off base and had to deal with traditional Arab views of women.