Donne militari: presenti?!

Abstract

This article attempts a preliminary appraisal of more than ten years of female recruitments in the italian Armed Forces, through the eyes of some military men on women measured by direct experience, along with that of women over men, as well as on themselves. Through a case study the article presents the analysis of the perceptions, attitudes and issues explained by witnesses in uniform, the result of observation conducted in a portion of institutional life: a training course for senior officers, in two meetings dedicated to recruitment of women. The words of the male and female protagonists, their opinions, perceptions and attitudes, highlight as the topic women and armed forces in Italy is far from being obvious, not exhausted, not questioned and even less present in public debate through a confrontation with the civil society.