"Women in the Barracks is a case study that combines both legal and cultural history, reviewing the long history of male elitism in the military as it explores how new ideas about gender equality have developed in the United States. An engrossing story of change versus tradition, it is clear and accessible for general readers, yet highly instructive and valuable for students and scholars. As questions continue to evolve concerning the role of state funding for single-sex education, Strum's book squarely addresses competing notions of women's place and capabilities in American society."--BOOK JACKET.

A crowd of honorable youths --From the Civil War to the civil rights era -- Brother rat -- The advocate -- Women making laws for women and men -- Birth of a lawsuit -- Countersuit -- GI Joe and GI Jane -- The lady and the soldier -- In Judge Kiser's court -- If women were rats -- The judge and the drummer -- In a higher court -- In a different voice -- Back in Judge Kiser's court -- The fife and the drum, separate but equal -- Anticipating the Justices -- Other voices -- Speaking to the nation's highest court -- The High Court replies -- Bringing women into the choir -- The fife and the drum, together at last.