Primarily documents Barbara Evelyn Gove's childhood in Massachusetts during World War II and her interest in electronics; her experiences as a Woman Marine in the mid-1950s, and her extensive work with veterans groups. Gove talks about her family and her childhood. She comments on her father's experiences in World War I; thinking that the Japanese were attacking Massachusetts after the bombing of Pearl Harbor; rationing and blackouts; German spies in Woburn; her fascination with planes and service with the Civil Air Patrol; learning to fly; awareness of the Korean War during high school; learning to fix cars and other objects as a child; volunteering at repair shops to learn more about engineering; and working and teaching at electronics companies. " Topics related to the Women Marines include her parents' reactions when she joined the Marines and tricking them into signing the permission form; talking to a Marine recruiter; her going away party; boot camp at Parris Island; her difficult female drill instructor; living in barracks; cleaning the showers with a toothbrush; training in Jacksonville, including putting out fires and assembling machine guns; social life, including dancing, bowling, and movies; and delivering a baby while volunteering at the hosiptal. " Topics related to Gove's work with veterans organizations include starting a veterans group promoting acceptance of Vietnam vets; her opinion of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and American Legion; visiting Veterans Administration hospitals and encouraging veterans to face their problems; the importance of women veterans organizations and the work of Joan Furey at the Center for Women Veterans; advice to people interested in joining the military; problems in VA hospitals; and advocating for veterans. " Gove also discusses her negative experiences in the military, including animosity and competition from navy women; a man who died during a parachute jump; the lack of teamwork, camaraderie, and respect at Cherry Point; rapes and suicide; male Marines' resentment of the Women Marines; her opinion of women in combat; disrespect from civilians; being beaten up and threatened at Cherry Point; and her desire to help others who had bad experiences in the military.