Afghans first greet Master Cpl. Lissette LeBlanc like any other soldier. But, when they get a closer look, she gets a much different reaction.

LeBlanc says it is hard for many Afghans to see a female out on patrol because their tradition doesn't allow females to be as in the out and open. In a society where women are forced to wear burkas and stay mostly indoors, female soldiers do not get much respect.

But, insurgents should be careful because LeBlanc is one of her platoon's best marksmen and a natural leader.

As a master corporal, LeBlanc commands her own patrol. And, as one of the few women in a combat role in the Canadian military, she's used to fighting stereotypes.

"Women just haven't taken to it well, it's just something I don't know if its mental condition, or physical conditioning or rather they're smart enough to find something else I don't know, but she took well to it actually," says her commanding officer Sgt. Parnell Pachal says.

"Taking to it well" has meant a lot of hard work for LeBlanc. She runs and lifts weights in the gym for two hours every morning before going out on patrol in the rough and hostile terrain of Afghanistan.

LeBlanc admits that meeting the physical demands of an infantry soldier has not been easy.

"It was very tough," she says.

"There were no standards dropped, there was no, 'O.K girls only have to do 15 push-ups and the guys have to do 25. There was none of that because if you're in this trade and this job you do exactly the same thing."

While her gender may be different, her goals for serving in Afghanistan are the same.

"The more you see people who never used to smile, smile, and the more you see little kids who never have clothes, have clothes, the more you see people being schooled and taught, it's a really good feeling."

With a report from CTV's Steve Chao