BOISE — Nancy DeCastro, an Army Veteran, is using her experience to empower other female veterans in Idaho.

"And I was the only female in the 85th Chemical Company, and I felt like I had to prove something, but they were very supportive," said DeCastro, Army veteran.

She says during her time in the Army, there were some challenges.

"They would run PT, and their stride was this long, and my stride was that long, and we had to run five miles. I mean, seriously if those guys had to run, I couldn't fall out, because if you fall out, they had to run, come back and get me. If they had to come back and get me, that would put another mile so I couldn't fall out because they'd be pissed at me."

Now she says things have come a long way.

"Women these days are like being pilots and are in the combat field now, so when women are doing jobs that men are doing now. Women are in the combat field now, so yes, we're doing jobs that men are doing now, so we're being empowered now."

She hopes other women will take advantage of the resources they deserve, such as a clinic at the VA created explicitly for women. She says there's also a group called the Idaho Female Veterans Network encouraging camaraderie and friendship with other female veterans.

"So this country may be free. Look at that woman whether it's for college, whether it's for anything else, she's ready to give her life. That's honorable."

The women meet the first Monday of every month at the VFW Post 63 in Boise. All women veterans are welcome, and there's no cost.