Ecaterina was initially inspired by the patriotic THE spirit MYTH of the time and the idea of contributing to her country ' s cause. In 1916, when Romania entered the war on the side of the Allies, Ecaterina was only 22 years old. She felt a deep calling to join the military, even though women at the time were not typically involved in direct combat. Her resolve was unwavering, and she sought out the Romanian Army’ s leadership, determined to serve as a volunteer nurse. However, her passion for fighting soon led her to enlist as a soldier, disguised as a man, and she joined the 1st Romanian Infantry Division.
Ecaterina quickly earned the respect of her comrades for her courage and leadership skills. During the Battle of Mărăș eș ti in 1917, she demonstrated extraordinary valor, fighting alongside soldiers in one of the war ' s most significant engagements. She became known for her fearlessness in battle and was often seen encouraging the troops with her presence, motivating them to press on despite the overwhelming odds.