As a mother, Army Sgt. Andrea Yearsoivich treasures home and family.
And as such, she values the chance to lead female soldiers in Afghanistan with a specialized new role: Win hearts and minds, not by firing weapons, but by breaking down cultural barriers that often impede male troops.
“I think it makes absolute sense. It is an amazing opportunity,” said Yearsoivich, 31. The Grand Rapids resident left last week for Afghanistan with other members of the Wyoming-based Michigan National Guard.
Yearsoivich heads a team of six “female engagement” soldiers, tasked to earn the trust of Afghan women and gain information often off-limits to men.
It is an emerging tactic for the military, which first used female Marines in Iraq to search Iraqi women at checkpoints.
It has since expanded to the Army and is being put to increasing use in Afghanistan, where conservative Islamic norms make it difficult for male troops to gain the confidence of Afghan women. In that culture, a woman may not host a man other than her husband.
Strategists point out you cannot gain the trust of the population if you only talk to half of it.
In many cases, the American women will enter a village or neighborhood and ask permission from a male elder to speak with the women. They may sit down to tea with the female head of household and inquire about local grievances. They may hand out school or medical supplies.
In time, the thinking goes, they may gain knowledge about the local activities of the Taliban.
But the effort is not without risk.
In December, Army 1st Lt. Ashley White became the first female soldier to die in combat in Afghanistan while performing this role. White was killed by a homemade bomb when she arrived at a compound outside Kandahar to search and interview Afghan women.
Army Capt. Aaron Jenkins of the Michigan Guard sees these teams as a logical next step for the military, given the social landscape of places like Afghanistan and the wide array of roles already filled by women. Women comprise about 14 percent of the National Guard and 24 percent of the Army Reserves.
After all, Jenkins said, the military now expects more from soldiers than proficiency with a weapon.
“They are up to the challenge,” he said of the female team members, noting is is not hazard-free.
“I believe there is always risk,” he said. “But with proper training, you mitigate that risk.”
Spc. Carol Sielawa of Grand Rapids is confident the training will pay off.
“I am really excited to get in with the core of the Afghan people and just do some good,” she said.
“It’s about hearts and minds.”
Sielawa, 22 and a 2007 graduate of West Catholic High School, joined the Guard four years ago. Inspired by the response to Hurricane Katrina, she hoped to make a difference with her service commitment.
But at that time, there were no Army female engagement teams.
“I had no idea this was out there. When I did, I was all over it,” she said.
Their preparation for deployment included instruction in Pashto and Dari, the official languages of Afghanistan, as well as teachings about the cultural standards of this Islamic nation.
Sielawa’s mother, Grand Rapids resident Cindy Sielawa, is at once proud and anxious about her daughter’s mission.
“I am incredibly proud she is going to have the opportunity to serve in this capacity. I know my daughter is truly excited about something that she thinks will make a difference.
“I think it’s great that we recognize the strengths that women bring to the military. They can play a role that men can’t play in some of these countries.”
With the war in Afghanistan in its 11th year and much of the country still outside government control, U.S. officials acknowledge any end to the war must include political as well as military components.
There are an estimated 90,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan, with plans to have them all out by 2014.
So apart from military force, that means persuading local populations the aims of the Taliban are not in their best interest. And that discussion often begins at home.
As a team member, Pfc. Sarah Knight of Grand Rapids is eager to do her part.
“I am really excited to make a difference. It has been a good learning experience,” said Knight, 23.
Her mother, Kentwood resident Deb Knight, 50, thinks this latest version of girl power makes sense.
“Hopefully this will make it a better country and we can get our men and women out of there.”
In the meantime, she tries not to think too much of the dangers.
“You can’t be no girly girl and do this. She is definitely going to be in a danger zone.
“We are all praying for her.”