Veterans Affairs committee  I'm still fighting for that, because they want proof of my injury. Even then, when I had that back injury, I had to have an advocate fight for me and go digging, because VAC wasn't willing to give anything up. We have to ask, but there are things I don't even know, and how am I supposed to ask if I don't know things and ask the right questions?

Veterans Affairs committee  At the time, in 1997, when I got out, I almost felt like I had just disappeared. I was very fortunate, though. I was a full-time mother. Not many people, obviously, could do that, but that was what I was doing. If I had gone back to the workforce, I think it would have been a challenge, because of what I got experience in during my career in the military.

Veterans Affairs committee  That's right. Yes. What I said in my paper was those ideas, yes. Thank you.

Veterans Affairs committee  I feel...not personally, but I have friends who are currently serving. They're saying it's very challenging. It is trying to break free, but it probably won't happen in my lifetime.

Veterans Affairs committee  Yes. We're still a small percentage, whether it's combat arms or not, because there's support that supports the combat arms. It's a small percentage. It's not much bigger than it was when I joined 32 years ago.

Veterans Affairs committee  At the time I served, at the beginning, I just wanted to be a soldier. I wanted to be equal. I didn't realize the more political ramifications. There was a soft entry back in the late 1980s, when they got in—when it became official that females were allowed in the combat arms. I wanted a challenge.

Veterans Affairs committee  I know. I apologize.

Veterans Affairs committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you, committee. My name is Nicole Langlois and I am a retired bombardier. I served seven years in the reserve army with the field artillery, from 1990 to 1997. My military highlights include numerous combat courses and exercises with the 78th Field Battery, 20 RCA; and with the RCA battle school out in Shilo, with 1 RCHA and 2 PPCLI.