Gendered experiences of operational deployment in the Canadian Armed Forces: An exploratory qualitative study of women-identifying Veterans (1970-2020)

Introduction: Despite increasing representation of women in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), limited research examines their deployment experiences, particularly within a Canadian context. This study addresses that gap by exploring the challenges, benefits, and evolving conditions of deployment among women-identifying Canadian Veterans. Methods: Guided by an interpretive qualitative approach informed by feminist and gender-based perspectives, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 women-identifying CAF Veterans who had deployed internationally. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis to identify key patterns in lived experiences. Results: Participants described a range of physical, emotional, and psychological challenges, including extreme environmental conditions, heavy workloads, trauma exposure, and difficulties with re-integration. Gender-specific challenges were prominent, including ill-fitting equipment, lack of privacy, under-representation, and the need to continually prove competence. Most participants reported experiences of military sexual trauma (MST), despite it not being directly solicited. Emotional strain related to family separation (particularly caregiving responsibilities) was also significant. At the same time, participants identified meaningful rewards, including professional growth, camaraderie, travel, and a strong sense of pride. Many noted improvements over time, including increased representation and greater institutional awareness of family- and gender-related needs. Discussion: Findings reinforce persistent systemic and gender-specific barriers while highlighting gradual progress in inclusion. The high prevalence of MST and ongoing structural gaps underscore the need for targeted gender-sensitive policies, improved infrastructure, and enhanced prevention and support systems during and after deployment.