The paper emphasizes the challenges in implementation of gender equality focused policies in military missions and demonstrates the backlash these policies can create in the everyday social interaction in military mission. A qualitative method of thematic analysis was used to study 17 in-depth interviews with former civilian and military personnel in the ISAF and RSM missions in Afghanistan. The discursive exploratory analysis displayed that the normative masculine constructions foster environment in which women are perceived as a threat for the unit she is part of; as disruptive to the male bonding in the unit; as an objectified body; and as an essential part of the successful mission in Afghanistan. Gender equality focused policies in NATO face resistance in implementation because they threat resources perceived greatly important in the organization - normative masculine constructions. The military fails in the attempts to manage diversity and the military culture further values and reinforces sameness.