Hey Women Warriors,

Welcome to October: Strength in Every Season—From Battle Scars to Breakthroughs

October carries a special weight for women warriors. It’s a month that blends fierce awareness campaigns with moments of levity (yes, we’re looking at you, Halloween candy stash). Across our community, it’s a season of survivorship—whether that means facing down breast cancer, stepping away from domestic violence, or unmasking the silent battles of mental health.

As service members and veterans, we know the meaning of scars—visible or invisible. They aren’t marks of defeat; they’re evidence of resilience. This month we’re lifting up warrior stories of survival, spotlighting resources that save lives, and reminding you that no one fights alone—not in combat, and not in recovery.

But October isn’t only about the heavy stuff. Warriors need laughter, too. That’s why we’ve slipped in some military Halloween humor and a few lighthearted breaks to balance the mission load.

So as the leaves change, let’s honor our strength in every season. Whether you’re marching into a mammogram appointment, checking in with a therapist, or passing out Skittles in your OCPs, October is a chance to own your story—and to carry another sister or brother with you along the way.

Let’s go!

Carma

- Breast Cancer & the Barracks: Military Women’s Health Then & Now
- The Mask We Wear: Mental Health Awareness Meets Halloween
- Resilience Quotes to Carry You Through
- Trick-or-Treat Warrior Humor
- October Observances & Free Resources
- Women Warriors Connect (WWC) Book Debrief: The Body Keeps the Score
​- VA Claims Corner: MST & Domestic Violence Claims Simplified

Q: Which military branch was the first to officially recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month in its fitness campaigns?

(Hint: It wasn’t the branch most famous for pink uniforms…)
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👉 Scroll to the end of this issue to find the answer.

When women first entered military service in large numbers, health care wasn’t designed with them in mind. Breast cancer was rarely discussed in the barracks, and awareness campaigns were considered “civilian issues.” Yet military women carried the same risks—and in some cases, even higher ones due to stress, environmental exposures, and delayed screenings while on duty.

It wasn’t until the 1980s and 1990s that breast cancer awareness began finding a foothold in military spaces. Pink ribbons started showing up at base runs, commissaries began carrying awareness materials, and commands cautiously began encouraging mammogram screenings. In 2009, the U.S. Army became the first branch to officially tie Breast Cancer Awareness Month to fitness campaigns—turning ruck marches and PT sessions into opportunities to educate and empower.

Today, women warriors have stronger access to care through the VA Women’s Health Program, which provides comprehensive breast and cervical cancer screenings. VA facilities offer mammograms, follow-up care, and access to oncology specialists. Peer-led groups, like the Pink Berets and WoVeN, create sisterhood networks for those navigating diagnoses. These programs don’t just save lives—they also challenge the stigma of talking openly about women’s health in military circles.

But progress doesn’t erase the reality: breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women veterans. Early detection is critical. If you haven’t scheduled your annual screening—or if you’re unsure what coverage you qualify for—this is your sign. The VA covers mammograms for eligible veterans, and military treatment facilities provide them for active-duty members and dependents.

​Survivorship is more than survival. It’s about reclaiming your body, your identity, and your future. Women warriors know what it means to fight battles no one else sees. This October, let’s carry that strength forward—not just for ourselves, but for every sister-in-arms who comes after us.

In October, Women Warriors Connect is re-starting the Battle Buddy Program. If you want to get matched with another woman veteran for the month, go to the Women Warriors Connect Facebook Group and look for the following post:
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In the last article, we talked about the masks we wear—the “I’m fine” mask, the “don’t ask me” mask, the “just push through it” mask. Taking them off can feel risky. That’s where tools like the Veteran’s Guide to DIY Mental Health come in.

One of the most powerful strategies in the book is the Night Vision Goggles technique. Just like NVGs reveal what’s hidden in the dark, this exercise helps you see the thoughts spinning around in your head with clarity.

Here’s how to use it:
1. Write down every thought bouncing around in your mind—unfiltered.
2. Step back and scan the page, like you would a night patrol.
3. Identify the real “target”: what’s truly at the core of your stress right now.

Getting clear vision on your current problem is the first step in the 7-step process from the guide. It’s a mission-ready way to get your own “check-up from the neck up.”

​Take off the mask. Put on the NVGs.
👉 Get your copy here to see your thoughts in a new light.

“Scars are not reminders of what you lost. They’re proof of what you endured.”
“You can’t wear armor every day. Some days, strength means taking it off.”
“Resilience is not bouncing back—it’s moving forward with a new kind of power.”
​“Your story didn’t end with the wound. It began with the healing.”

Because even warriors deserve a laugh with their candy stash:

Q: Why don’t skeletons ever reenlist?
A: They don’t have the guts.
Q: Why did the mummy get promoted?
A: Because he was great at keeping things under wraps.
Q: Why was the drill sergeant so good at carving pumpkins?
A: Years of knife-hand training.
Q: What do you call a vampire in uniform?
A: A blood donor with benefits.

So whether you’re passing out candy, suiting up for a costume run, or just raiding the PX for discount Reese’s on November 1st—we hope these bring a smile.
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October is:
- Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Oct 6–12: Mental Health Awareness Week

Oct 10: World Mental Health Day
Oct 13: U.S. Navy Birthday
Oct 20: National Day on Writing (because journaling = therapy!)
Oct 26: National Day of the Deployed
Oct 31: Halloween 🎃