For decades, military innovation has prioritized strength, endurance, and tactical performance. But one critical factor has too often been overlooked: whether the gear designed to protect female tactical athletes is engineered for the bodies wearing it.

Women are one of the fastest-growing populations in the armed forces, yet equipment standards have historically been based on male body structures. The result is not simply inconvenience — it is a measurable threat to safety, readiness, and long-term health.

Founded in 2018, The Valkyrie Project is a nonprofit dedicated to advancing the performance, safety, and success of American servicewomen through research, training, and advocacy. Their latest report, Critical Research Topics for the Advancement of Women Service Members (CRTAWS), makes this reality impossible to ignore.

When Gear Interferes With the Mission

Valkyrie Project reports:

• 73% of survey respondents reported that the fit or comfort of their equipment interfered with job performance.

• 72% said they frequently or always experience issues with ill-fitting gear.

• 64% reported not having access to female-fit equipment.

• 68% have purchased gear with personal funds because issued items failed to meet their needs.

These are not minor discomforts. Service members reported:

• Increased injury risk from tripping or gear entanglement

• Vision obstruction

• Restricted movement

• Poor load efficiency

• Difficulty seating a rifle properly

• Safety concerns tied to improper fit

These findings point to a systemic readiness gap. When nearly three-quarters of servicewomen report that their equipment interferes with job performance, the issue moves beyond comfort — it becomes operational. Ill-fitting gear is not just inconvenient; it introduces preventable risk into environments where precision and mobility are critical.

The Hidden Health Consequences

Operational strain is only part of the story.

Ill-fitting uniforms and underlayers can trap heat, retain moisture, and disrupt the skin microbiome — conditions strongly linked to bacterial and fungal infections.

Research shows:

• Up to 75% of women will experience at least one yeast infection in their lifetime (Cleveland Clinic 2025).

• High-sweat environments increase the presence of infection-linked bacteria (Lu et. al 2023).

• Apparel that limits airflow and retains moisture is a known risk factor for skin and soft-tissue infections (Watson et. al 2022).

For female tactical athletes operating in physically demanding and high-temperature environments, these risks are amplified. 

Yet these issues are rarely discussed in conversations about tactical performance.

Purchasing Protection Out of Pocket

Despite increased awareness since Valkyrie Project’s 2024 research, many women still struggle to access properly fitting gear. Some reported being prohibited from purchasing female-fit alternatives due to unit uniformity requirements — even when standard equipment compromised safety.

Others simply paid for better gear themselves.

This raises a critical question:

Should those who protect us have to personally fund equipment that protects their own bodies?

Valkyrie Project’s recommendation is clear:

“Critical needs include the continued development of gear, apparel, and equipment that facilitate bodily functions and enable individuals of all body sizes to safely and effectively perform their operational tasks. Lifesaving and safety equipment should be available in all sizes to accommodate individuals of various body types.”

Military readiness depends on it.

Wellness Is a Tactical Advantage

Military culture has long normalized discomfort as part of the job. But preventable harm is not resilience.

When gear fits properly and supports physiological health, service members can focus fully on the mission — not on pain, overheating, or constant readjustment.

Better gear means:

• Fewer injuries

• Greater mobility

• Stronger endurance

• Improved concentration

• Higher operational confidence
  

Wellness is not separate from performance.

It is a force multiplier.

The Path Forward

Progress is already underway, driven by research organizations like The Valkyrie Project and innovators committed to raising the standard of protection for women in service.

But continued change requires collaboration across manufacturers, military leadership, and advocacy groups.

Because equality in service is not just about opportunity.

It is about ensuring every service member has equipment that allows them to perform safely and effectively.

Our heroes deserve nothing less than gear engineered for their reality.

And the future of military readiness depends on it.

A New Standard: Designing for Women From the Start

The future of military wellness is not about modifying men’s gear after the fact. It is about engineering equipment with women in mind from the beginning.

This includes the layers closest to the skin — garments that combat moisture retention in high-friction zones ( swamp crotch) and bacteria, cool skin, and protect against irritation and infection during long hours of wear.

Oya was founded to address a woman’s physiological needs. We believe performance apparel should actively safeguard health, not compromise it. That’s why we expanded our standard performance line to support female tactical athletes in high-intensity military occupations.  

Explore Oya’s Military Garments

• Cooling technology that can reduce body temperature by up to 2°F

• Breathable, moisture-managing fabrics that help prevent heat buildup

• Antimicrobial silver that reduces odor-causing bacteria by 99.9%

• Hypoallergenic materials free from BPA, PFAS, and PFOA

• Smooth seams and body-forming construction that minimize chafing and skin injury

Send In Your Questions Here

In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re double-tapping on women’s health innovation. Next issue, we’re digging into how women founders can stay resilient and build better with Manju Dawkins, MD. Dr. Manju Dawkins is a board-certified dermatologist who received her BA from Columbia University. and founder of Thimble.