ABSTRACT
This chapter explores how conscription, recruitment, training, and the motivation of soldiers to fight all draw on and produce masculinity in various forms in order to induce the desired militarized performances from men. It also explores how militaries have relied on women to play prescribed roles as camp followers, wives, prostitutes, nurses, and soldiers, subordinate to and supporting military men. In the 20th century, state militaries began enlisting women other than nurses to cope with manpower shortages. Military institutions and servicewomen themselves may both work to ensure that military women perform gender in ways that minimize the disruptiveness of their presence. The expectations of military wives are rooted in presumptions about gender. Militaries cultivate masculinities and use them to get men into the armed forces, to train them, and to motivate them. The chapter addresses the ways in which the practice of warfare is informed by gender.
