Shoot Like a Girl

February 1, 2017
A memoir from an Air National Guard pilot who was shot down on a search-and-rescue mission during her third tour of duty in Afghanistan.During her service, Hegar not only faced enemy fire, but also the hostility of some of her fellow officers, some of whom had difficulty accepting women in the military. Awarded a Purple Heart and a Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery in combat, the author's active career in the military ended in 2009 as a result of injuries she suffered during the crash. Her courageous exploits also earned her the respect of her fellow officers. When she was no longer able to function as a rescue pilot, she applied to deploy with ground forces as a special tactics officer. Despite her unquestioned qualifications for the job, she was turned down because of a law that excluded women from ground combat, ending her career in the service. A civilian once again, Hegar returned to her home in Austin, Texas, married, and took on a job as a consultant on health issues, but her fighting days were not over. In 2012, the American Civil Liberties Union contacted her, and she enthusiastically accepted an invitation to become a plaintiff in a successful lawsuit against gender discrimination in the military. "The Ground Combat Exclusion Policy was a civilian-issued order in the first place," put into effect to pacify opponents of the Air Force's decision to lift the ban on "females in combat cockpits." In response to the lawsuit, which was supported by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the policy of banning women from ground combat was reversed by the Defense Department in 2013. "The incontrovertible fact was that this current policy banning women from being in combat was not good for the military," writes Hegar. "The commanders in the field fighting the actual wars had their hands tied by this policy." A gripping chronicle by a daring pilot with an indomitable spirit.

COPYRIGHT(2017) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

August 1, 2017

From the time Hegar was very young, she knew she wanted to be a fighter pilot. Despite sexism, military politics, and emotional setbacks, she persisted until she was commissioned in the U.S. Air Force as a combat pilot, and then served three tours in Afghanistan. As a combat search-and-rescue team member, Hegar earned a Purple Heart and other honors. Her book is more than a mere account of her accomplishments, detailing the obstacles she encountered yet encouraging other women eager to join the military. Hegar also describes how, with the ACLU, she waged a legal battle to give women the right to officially serve in combat roles in the military. The writing is candid, and the message is a resounding one: "Sometimes the biggest asset on your team isn't the one who looks like Superman. People will surprise you with the strength they can summon when tested." VERDICT For students with military aspirations and those who appreciate uplifting memoirs.-Pamela Schembri, Horace Greeley High School, Chappaqua, NY

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2017
Hegar knew exactly what she wanted to be when she grew up: a pilot in the U.S. Air Force. Though she pushed herself and excelled in her training, she found that although some superiors and fellow officers treated her no differently because of her gender, others singled her out for criticism and, in one case, sexual assault. Not one to be deterred, Hegar pressed on, even after she wasn't selected as a pilot, working her way up to the rank of captain. She finally received her wings and was sent to Afghanistan to fly rescue missions. Hegar didn't just face off against enemy combatants; after a recurring knee injury sidelined her, she joined an ACLU-led lawsuit against the military to allow women to serve in combat. Taking its title from a compliment an instructor gave Hegar on her marksmanship, Hegar's inspirational memoir reflects the strength and grace with which she approached her service to her country, whether she was venturing behind enemy lines to rescue wounded soldiers or standing up for women's right to be on the front line.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)

Starred review from January 1, 2017

In her first memoir, Hegar shares her experience growing up with the dream of being a fighter pilot, losing her way after her beloved stepfather's tragic death, and her struggle through gender prejudice, sexual assault, and finding the love of her life. These personal details are woven through her story of military training, sacrifice for her country, and flying combat search and rescue missions as an Air National Guard helicopter pilot. After three tours in Afghanistan, Hegar was shot down during a Medevac mission but managed to save the lives of herself, her crew, and their patients. The resulting injuries ended her military career but not her willingness to battle for women's rights in the military. Along with many others, Hegar fought to end the Ground Combat Exclusion Policy that kept servicewomen from being officially assigned to military units which see direct combat. Parts of this conversional and engaging narrative are gut-wrenching and difficult to read, but that's what makes this book so important. VERDICT Highly recommended to anyone with an interest in American history, modern history, military history, women's history, gender studies, and autobiography. [See Prepub Alert, 12/14/15.]--Crystal Goldman, Univ. of California, San Diego Lib.

Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2016

Shot down and wounded while on a medevac mission in Afghanistan, Air National Guard major and Purple Heart winner Hegar subsequently won her case as a plaintiff in an ACLU lawsuit arguing that the Combat Exclusion Policy (barring women from direct combat) was unconstitutional. Film rights to TriStar.

Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2017

In her first memoir, Hegar shares her experience growing up with the dream of being a fighter pilot, losing her way after her beloved stepfather's tragic death, and her struggle through gender prejudice, sexual assault, and finding the love of her life. These personal details are woven through her story of military training, sacrifice for her country, and flying combat search and rescue missions as an Air National Guard helicopter pilot. After three tours in Afghanistan, Hegar was shot down during a Medevac mission but managed to save the lives of herself, her crew, and their patients. The resulting injuries ended her military career but not her willingness to battle for women's rights in the military. Along with many others, Hegar fought to end the Ground Combat Exclusion Policy that kept servicewomen from being officially assigned to military units which see direct combat. Parts of this conversional and engaging narrative are gut-wrenching and difficult to read, but that's what makes this book so important. VERDICT Highly recommended to anyone with an interest in American history, modern history, military history, women's history, gender studies, and autobiography. [See Prepub Alert, 12/14/15.]--Crystal Goldman, Univ. of California, San Diego Lib.

Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.