Basmah (far right) with two fellow ROTC peers.

Modern Day “Rosie the Riveter”

At first glance Basmah Yassin’s relatively petite frame and friendly demeanor could easily fool you into thinking she would never think of joining the Army. However, growing up Basmah dreamed of being a military officer, even if it meant having to rebel against her traditional family.

As the daughter of Middle Eastern and Colombian parents, Basmah views her family as very strict and traditional. So traditional that Basmah said, that they so strongly felt that ROTC and the army were not for females, that they stopped talking to her.

Although they are supportive now, the path to her goal has not been an easy one and continues to be a challenging one, said Basmah. Whether is be being belittled because she is a female, being called a ‘baby killer’ by those against war, or even the prospect of war itself, however Basmah is ready for any challenges.

As a sophomore at the University of San Francisco 19 year Basmah is currently working toward fulfilling her dream of being a military officer. As a ROTC student, on scholarship, she has fully committed herself to the rigorous expectations of ROTC classes, as well as eight full years of service to the Army upon graduation.

Anyone of these years could be a year of service in a war zone, while Basmah said that she hopes for the best and hopes the war in Iraq will be over by the time she graduates, she is ready to serve if needed. War is a something that will happen, and in some instances necessary. However, the current War in Iraq is a pointless war, said Basmah.

This war has no real purpose, but regardless of the state of the war people should be supportive of the troops and try to get the home, said Basmah. Even though she is Middle Eastern, her ethnic background does not affect her stand. She believes that people should support the troops because in the end they’re risking their lives so regular civilians won’t have to.

Basmah is fully aware of the possibility being sent to war and having to serve, and she is fully prepared for that, because “it’s part of the job” Basmah said. The prospect of going t war did cross her mind as she decided to commit to ROTC, but then like now Basmah is hopeful that she will not have to go to war.

Basmah and some of her ROTC peers have considered the possibility of having to kill someone if they are sent to war. Interestingly, this is one fact Basmah admits to not considering when deciding to accept her ROTC scholarship. However, now she says that if she had to kill someone she would, because “it’s part of the job” but she also said she wouldn’t be able to shoot a child.

On the very liberal USF campus, Basmah has encountered some opposition to her career choice; “one day I was running with my ROTC shirt and someone called me a baby killer’”. While Basmah respects those against war, she does not feel it is correct for students to speak negatively of her choice especially when “they don’t know everything about it”, said Basmah.

As one of the few girls in the ROTC program Basmah did say that there were some instances where she has been underestimated because she is girl. While it is bothersome, it doesn’t seem like it will change, said Basmah. At the same time sexist comments do not stop, at this point it seems like no challenge is too much for Basmah Yassin.