Lindsey Schmidt, who spent nine years in the Army and joined Green Berets on missions in Iraq, is taking on a new role. The Virginia resident, nicknamed ‘Xena,’ is now featured in the 21st annual Pin-Ups For Vets fundraiser calendar for 2027. This calendar showcases 13 female veterans from across the country, depicting them in vintage styles.
‘The whole reason I even joined the military was because of “Saving Private Ryan,”‘ Schmidt said. ‘It was like coming full circle to embrace that World War II era again. It’s wonderful to highlight female veterans and femininity.’ The non-profit organization, Pin-Ups For Vets, was established in 2006 by Gina Elise in California. It raises funds to support hospitalized and deployed troops with World War II-inspired calendars featuring veterans as models.
Since its inception, Pin-Ups For Vets has donated nearly $140,000 in rehabilitation equipment to veterans and military hospitals and has visited over 25,000 ill and injured veterans across more than 135 hospitals and state veterans’ homes.
Schmidt, a deeply patriotic individual, knew she wanted to serve following the September 11 attacks. She pursued a career as an Arabic linguist and interrogator, though she initially wanted to learn Russian. Despite facing challenges and being told she didn’t belong, Schmidt’s persistence earned her acceptance and respect among her fellow soldiers.
One key moment was when a soldier who had been resistant borrowed her helmet and returned it with ‘Xena’ painted on it. This nickname spread as troops noticed her contributions on missions.
‘Being the only female to accompany the guys on missions was an adventure,’ Schmidt remarked. Her role allowed her to gather intelligence from women and children, offering insights that male soldiers couldn’t obtain.
Lindsey Schmidt in Iraq, trained as an interrogator, and deployed to Iraq and Djibouti with Army Special Operations.
Her work as an interrogator was memorable. She described one instance where she identified herself to a detainee after he tried to fabricate his capture story. ‘Imagine no hair. Imagine me in uniform. I was there,’ she told him, leading to a shift in the interrogation dynamics.
Reflecting on American life, Schmidt emphasizes the freedoms and opportunities people often overlook. She appreciates her ability to live independently without needing a male guardian, contrasting it with life in other parts of the world.
‘Our freedom, especially for women, our ability to drive, vote, or work is not something I take for granted,’ she explained. ‘We have opportunities many don’t.’ Pin-Ups For Vets’ 2027 calendar, now available, continues to support veteran communities and highlights achievements of veterans like Schmidt.
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