Army veteran Lindsey Schmidt, known for her service as an Arabic linguist accompanying Green Berets on missions in Iraq, is now gracing the pages of the Pin-Ups for Vets 2027 annual fundraiser calendar. The calendar features 13 female veterans photographed in vintage styles, aiming to highlight their experiences and raise funds for hospitalized and deployed troops.
Schmidt, who served nine years in the Army, recalled her role in intelligence gathering during her deployments. Her unique position as a female Arabic speaker allowed her to interact with women and children in Iraq, gaining insights that her male counterparts could not. This capability earned her respect and the nickname “Xena,” after the warrior princess, from fellow soldiers.
"I know a lot of us don't feel super feminine when we're in uniform, but to be a part of this group of women who are so accomplished and have been through a lot of obstacles and challenges, it's really special to be a part of it," Schmidt told Fox News Digital. Her involvement in the calendar is a full-circle moment, inspired by the World War II era films that motivated her to join the military.
The nonprofit organization Pin-Ups for Vets, founded in 2006 by Gina Elise, is inspired by Hollywood actress Betty Grable's iconic World War II pin-up photos. The organization raises money through its calendars to support hospitalized and deployed troops, with proceeds funding hospital visits, care packages, rehabilitation equipment for VA hospitals, and goods for homeless veterans.
To date, Pin-Ups for Vets has donated nearly $140,000 worth of rehabilitation equipment and visited over 25,000 ill and injured veterans. Schmidt, who was deeply patriotic and felt compelled to serve after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, initially faced skepticism from some soldiers about her deployment. However, her persistence and valuable linguistic skills eventually earned her acceptance.
"Some of them told me to my face, 'You don't belong here. We don't want any females,' which isn't fun to hear, but I appreciated that because at least I knew where I stood with those guys," Schmidt said. "The other ones who were nice, I was just like, 'I'm not sure what your angle is here,' but I kept my head down. I worked hard. I didn't cause any drama. And after a little while, the guys that were opposed to having me there, they all came around eventually."
Schmidt's role involved accompanying Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) teams, where she could interview women and children, providing crucial intelligence. She described one instance where she helped confirm a detainee's account by revealing her presence during his capture, a detail he had omitted.
Now, Schmidt hopes her participation in the calendar will inspire others and highlight the freedoms that she believes many take for granted. "Our freedom, our ability, especially for women, especially coming back from the Middle East, just being able to drive by myself, vote, get a job, have a mortgage and credit cards, that I do not take for granted," she stated.