Life at Camp

by Doris J. Sumner

Life at Camp tells the story of a National Guard Equal Opportunity and Diversity Manager who, overtime, recognized a pattern of military culture-androcentrism-and spent the later part of her 36-year military career challenging the bias that impedes gender equality, strategic objectives, and response programs. This is not another memoir of a personal account, instead it is the story told by the collector of painful humiliations. It describes the broken process that fails to hold violators accountable for sex-based discrimination in a way that will support cultural change, thus allowing the spectrum of harm to pave the way for more violent sex-based attacks.

622 pages, Paperback

Published November 17, 2023

Reviews

[Kartika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kudos to CW4(R) Sumner for her authentic, straightforward, and oh-so-human memoir. Lots resonated. And I had a handful of ‘Eeek, Red Pen’ moments. It is so evident the heartwork Chief undertook and the determination she maintained for close to the whole of her time in service. All in all, I recommend.

[William R. McKern]

“The standard you walk past is the standard you accept.” ~ Lieutenant General David Morrison (Australia), 2013

That quote kept running through my mind as I read Doris Sumner’s "Life at Camp". I served in the National Guard for 35 years, most of it in Vermont and I continue to be affiliated with the U.S. military. I’ve known Chief Sumner for about 25 years, and I was very aware of her work in the areas of Equal Opportunity and Diversity. As Doris writes, the problem of gender bias – whether conscious or unconscious – pervades many aspects of the organization. Many of the challenges the National Guard as a whole faces – personnel readiness, recruiting, retention – can be traced to the issue of sexism. The numbers bear this out -- women make up over 50 percent of the U.S. population, but just 17 percent of the National Guard, and only five percent of its generals. It is a truism of social sciences that for an organization to be favorably viewed by the population it supports, it must be reflective of that population. And the National Guard isn’t there. Yet.

In her memoir, Doris uses her personal experiences and the experiences of others who have been victimized by everything from implied harassment to outright sexual assault to describe the “big picture” issue. "Life at Camp" depicts the situations women regularly face during the performance of their duties, and the problems posed by lack of equality. She also outlines several efforts by Guard leaders – some sincere, some I describe as “window dressing” – to address sexism in the military. But the heart of the matter – that a truly equitable work environment would make those programs unnecessary – practically jumps off the pages.

The lack of equality poses serious issues – every minute and every dollar spent on investigating and attempting to resolve complaints is a minute and a dollar that’s not being spent on organizational readiness. Every individual who commits a bad act detracts from the organization’s mission by failing to achieve his full potential. Every victim of a bad act is deprived of the opportunity to achieve her full potential. In the long run, a merit-based organization, which the National Guard aspires to be, succeeds only when each member is able to rise to the highest level their talent and industry will carry them. That means changing the culture. That means getting past the “Good Old Boy” network and creating a fair work environment. This is a challenge for current senior leaders because the beneficiaries of a system don’t usually recognize that there’s anything wrong with it.

Who will find Doris Sumner’s memoir valuable? Any member of any organization that includes both men and women and wants to understand what equality in the workplace means and how to achieve it. Not familiar with Army jargon and unit designations? A chronic editor who spots the occasional typo or misspelled word? Don’t worry about any of that. As someone who has studied organizational leadership, I can say the story is the thing that matters, and the narrative Doris has created in "Life at Camp" is compelling, both her personal experiences and the military culture she advocates changing.

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) William R. McKern, Doctor of Business Administration

[Peter Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book written by a professional, dedicated, compassionate, and caring individual. This book reinforces why every organization, not just the military, must have dedicated professionals committed to protecting employees from predators who intentionally want to demoralize people and institutions through harassment and sexual violence.

[Thomas Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doris Sumner, a 36-year veteran of the Vermont Army National Guard, has composed a harrowing and candid page-turner that takes readers inside the good ol' boy network of the military where victims of sexual harassment and sexual assault have to fight for justice and often come up empty. But more than this, Sumner explains why the military can and should become a template for gender equality everywhere. Long considered to be a male-exclusive domain where bro behaviors were and are still common, Sumner offers a roadmap on how to get the U.S. military into the 21st century and beyond by treating women with the respect and professionalism they deserve. But further, "Life at Camp" explicates how the present environment typified by male-centric chauvinism and turning a blind eye to sexual misconduct hurts military readiness. The good news is that there is reason to be optimistic about the future. This book should be standard reading for everyone in the military as well anyone who cares deeply about the equal treatment of women and who would like to see the U.S. military take the lead in modeling to the world how a fair, efficient, and capable military should look. In the end, "Life at Camp" explains why creating a gender-equal military helps women, men, and our nation! My highest recommendation!

[Sarah Rocheleau · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a 50s woman business leader with very little exposure to the military. I work for a large corporation full of both men and women. I was astonished to read how some military leaders have blatant disregard and disrespect for women soldiers. The behaviors Doris described would put anyone in the private sector blackballed and out of a job. Doris does a fabulous job bringing you into her life in the military from the time she spent “at camp” And later as her position of Chief Warrant Officer. You find yourself rooting for Doris and all other military women just trying to be treated as equals. Unfortunately, the sexism in the military is blatant and is not something that I had ever even thought about. It certainly made me thankful to work for a company that embraces all people equally. The military needs embrace making an “about face” in order to change their androcentric culture. It can be done. But it takes commitment from the top down. Doris made a big chink in the military boys club armor during her years in the military and blazed a trail for our future women soldiers. Bravo Doris! This should be required reading for all Military leaders and anyone who wants to know about life as a soldier.

[Meredith Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Life at Camp, Doris takes you through her decades-long journey in the military, both in her final role as the State Equal Employment Manager and as a truck driver in her earlier years. Her memoir is insightful, emotional, and educational to the sexism still very present in today's military. She tells her story of the sexism she experienced firsthand and witnessed in her role as the SEEM as well as the stories of those who confided in her that she prepared for investigation by military officials; the military officials that ultimately failed the survivors and protected the perpetrators.

I couldn't put this book down, and I can assure any potential reader out there that you won't be able to either (once you get past the initial military lingo in the first couple chapters).

Being witness to many of the events depicted by Doris, this book was admittedly a hard read. However, it's a truth that needs to be heard. These issues are systemic across the military and until the truth is acknowledged, addressed, and action is taken to change the culture, the sexism will continue. This book is the first step in getting the culture recognized across the board, and hopefully the military leaders will take note and take action to change the culture.

[susan sweetser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't expect to be so drawn into this book. From the beginning, all the way through to the end, Chief Warrant Officer Sumner has a compelling story to share. This is not just about the military. If you are a woman or if you are related to a woman, you should read this book. We have all dealt with sexism at one point or another in our careers. The question becomes, "how much sexism are you willing to tolerate?" At this point, the answer should be, "None" but sadly, that is still not the case - not in the military, not in the halls of power in government or in the halls of commerce in private industry. This book is for the brave among us, who are willing to hold the mirror up to the power brokers and tell them "enough is enough". This book is for courageous leaders - in the military, in corporate America and in government. Life at Camp should be assigned, mandatory reading for the top 20% leadership in every organization. Every manager in every organization should read this book. Thank you, Chief Warrant Officer Sumner, for shining the light on the "ism" no one wants to talk about.

[Eva John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doris Sumner was not only a warrior as a soldier for over 35 years, but as an advocate for women to receive the respect they deserve in the military. As a veteran who served in the active Army and Army Reserves in the mid-1970s to early 1980s, I know firsthand how women in the military are treated. Reading the stories of women who served more recently, I see not much has changed. Doris does an excellent job of describing her personal experiences with sexism and her transformation into an advocate for all women in the National Guard. It was clearly a frustrating experience, but she never gave up, often risking her own career in the process. I believe her work has made a difference, but I know there is still a long way to go before women will be treated as equals in all branches of the military. Thanks for being brave enough to write this book. My only critique is that it is very long and could have made the case in fewer pages.

[Athena Clements · Rating 5 out of 5]

CW4 (Ret) Sumner hits the proverbial nail on the head in her memoir, Life at Camp. I worked for five years as her counterpart (State Equal Employment Manager and Warrant Officer) in the New Hampshire National Guard, and have always considered Doris a mentor and expert in the Equal Opportunity field.

She clearly articulates the covert, and sometimes overt, sexism and resulting invisible baggage that many female service members carry with them each day. The gender gap data exists, the personal stories of pain and suffering exist, but where is the acknowledgement from our Senior Leaders and necessary change?

This is a must-read for every service member, both female and male. Doris' recommendations for change are where we pick up the plow and work on the next row in the field. Let's go!

[Stephan J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trials and Tribulations of a Warrior for Justice
Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2024
"Life at Camp" portrays the challenges and obstacles confronted by a courageous advocate and warrior for gender equality within the Army National Guard. Doris refused to be silenced in her relentless pursuit of gender equality, and her determination and strength brought attention to issues that many men had previously ignored. Doris, you have fulfilled your purpose, and I thank you for being the voice of the voiceless and leaning head-on into the fight for justice and equality! Thank you for your Service and Sacrafice Sister!

[Greg Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

In "Life at Camp," Doris Sumner skillfully navigates the tapestry of camp life in the Vermont National Guard, delving into camaraderie, out-group confrontations, and self-discovery while bravely addressing the challenges of a culture of sexual harassment and androcentrism. Sumner's prose, a masterful brushstroke, vividly captures the resilience of individuals within this complex landscape, creating a poignant narrative that transcends mere storytelling to shed light on crucial societal issues.

[Elizabeth A.]

A valuable resource and commentary for everyone, regardless of military experience. I appreciate the way Ms. Sumner shares her personal and professional journey with the reader, and how her lessons learned etched a passion for change and advocacy into her very being.

[Doris Sumner]

I am the author who wrote the book. Just completing the Goodreads status.