of females in the military. During and prior to World War II, women held a very minute position in the military, often assisting the war effort from the comfort and safety of the home front. However, this was not at the desire of these women, but of the social and political norms that restricted their roles and capabilities. “Women were expected to help soldiers in the war effort but not become soldiers, which resulted in women being encouraged to participate in the war effort only within functions that did not break the status quo expectations of gender roles.” Very few women employed duties generally associated with men. Of these few, truck drivers and mechanics were most common, but were still no where near the level of importance of the WASPs. The majority of women served as clerical workers or secretaries, falling into society’s definition of a proper woman’s job. The WASPs challenged this cultural model and ventured into the male-dominated operations of the military. Despite the severe backlash from the media, society, and the men whose positions were in question, the United States’ military in World War II was in desperate need of assistance. All branches of the military ran various recruitment campaigns for women. “However, the participation of women in the military, though encouraged during times of war, does challenge cultural expectations of gender roles.” The WASP program was formed in an attempt to relieve male pilots so they could be available for combat. Since its formation, gender was the defining point of the program. Unlike other branches of the military, and even other aspects of the war effort, WASPs were filling highly regarded positions that were sought after by men. “Although women have been active participants in all wars in which the United States has been involved, and although all branches of the U.S. military had women’s auxiliaries in World War II, the WASP program remained unique be>