26/03/2026
SGT. Katherine Bolcar, Vocalist for the 323d Army Band "Fort Sam's Own" wrote down a few of her experiences as a woman in the military and wanted to share them.
Being a vocalist in an Army Band means that I am a very public figure.
As I interact with the public, it is children's reactions to me that have always been a surprising reminder that women in the military are still not regarded as common place. (Think about it...you don't see any lady fighters in Call of Duty, but we like to blow things up too!)
From an early age, little girls are bombarded with pink dresses and glittery toys as well as the latest Disney princess movie.
Although, I think of my beret as my tiara, it must send little girls through quite a loop when they see me in my combat boots and camo.
The first time this truly dawned on me, I was walking with several male soldiers to the start of a parade in Queens, N.Y., when a little girl started frantically pointing at me while tugging on her dad's arm.
I could hear her excited shouts over the gathering crowds, "Look Daddy!!! A girl soldier!!!"
I will never forget the look of amazement on her face and the excitement in her eyes. It was like she was realizing that she could do anything after seeing me.
She didn't know I was a musician. She just saw a "girl" in "boy's clothes".
This type of thing has happened several times since the beginning of my Army career, including recently while I was performing at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. As we were loading our equipment a young girl came up to me with her mother behind her and asked... "are you in the Army?" I said, "Yes Ma'am! I certainly am." She then got really excited and asked to take a picture with me. After the photo she gave me the biggest hug and said, "thank you!"
Moments like the two above are part of what makes me proud to be a Soldier.
