The Israeli army drafts both men and women, and most Israelis complete their military service during their emerging adulthood years. This study examined Israeli women’s experiences as soldiers in the army. Twenty-three women (18 emerging adults, 5 young adults) were recruited using purposive sampling and interviewed about how they experienced their gender and sexuality during their army service. Interviews were analyzed using open and focused coding. Participants reported experiencing their army tenure as gendered and sexualized beings. Themes that emerged include gender performance, sexual harassment, and dating experiences and heteronormativity. This study expands current knowledge by examining Israeli emerging adult soldiers, gender, and sexuality in the Israeli army and looking at the intersection of gender, culture, and development.
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