Women Warriors - Israeli Defense Force

     No discussion of women in combat in the modern era can take place without the inclusion of the Israeli Defense Force (IDF).  The Russians may have pioneered the use of women in combat in the 20th Century with the first all women infantry unit in the First World War, but it was the Israelis that picked up where the Russians left off in 1945. 
     The Israelis employed women in combat during their war of independence against the British from 1946 until their independence in 1948.  The haganah, irgun, and lehi, all employed women in combat.  Of course they were essentially paramilitary organizations like partisans, but, nevertheless, Israeli women fought along side the men during their war of independence.  After independence, the Israeli women had to continue to bear arms in the kibbutz commune settlements.  They had to, the Israeli population is not large and there just weren't enough men to handle all of security duties.  The numerous Arab-Israeli wars that followed saw Israeli women participate in various roles, including combat.  But even in Israel, there was resistance from the male dominated military establishment in having women in combat roles.  But necessity trumped any resistance that may have surfaced.
     Women in Israel are subject to compulsory military service (draft) just like men.  All women must serve 3 years of active duty and the rest as reservists until age 38.  Exceptions are made in case of religious, medical, or family grounds, but otherwise, all females in Israel between the ages of 18 and 38 must serve in the military.  The 3 years active duty does not have to be consecutive, it could be broken up into two or even three separate services.
     Although Israeli women have been serving in the IDF since 1948 when it was formed, they were not allowed into all military jobs initially.  Despite restrictions, women saw combat simply because such a small nation, constantly attacked by its Arab neighbors, could not pick and choose when or where they would be attacked.  So women were often exposed to combat even if they were not serving in combat roles.
     In some areas, Israel was slow in allowing women to become part of the organization.  Women, for example, were not allowed to become fighter pilots until fairly recently, in the 21st Century.  But then, Israeli Air Force is tiny compared to ours or other nations.  Also, for a long time it was hard for women to get promoted to higher ranks.  It wasn't until 2011 that a woman, Orna Barbivai was promoted to Major General (two star).  But, the highest rank in the IDF is Lieutenant General (three star).  Unlike our military, the smaller IDF just does not have that much rank!
     The IDF is no doubt the most experienced and combat tested military in the world.  They have been in constant warfare since 1948, going on 70 years!  Women first participated in combat in separate units and were first integrated into platoon sized elite recon units called caracal (or karakal), named after an elusive, secretive desert cat.  The caracal unit has grown in size since its first creation decades ago.  It is now battalion sized (about 450 soldiers) and 60 percent are women!  It is fully integrated.  Israeli women are also integrated in regular infantry and armor (tank) units as well as in the elite border patrol, which is not like our Border Patrol that is mainly occupied with chasing illegal aliens.  The Israeli Border Police or Patrol is a combat unit that is essentially Israel's first line of defense.
     IDF allowed women in airborne and commando training early on, and whether infantry, armor, air, or sea, requires women to undergo exactly the same training as men.  This means that there is a higher failure rate in the physical training part for women, still, there are enough that pass so that IDF has women serving in just about in every capacity in all branches of service.
     Currently 92% of the jobs in IDF are open to women.  Without a doubt the IDF is the current pioneer in employing women warriors.  Most other countries, including the United States, use the Israeli template to integrate women into their services.  Of the Western European countries, Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, New Zealand, Norway, all have allowed women into combat roles.  Asian countries have used women as well.  North Vietnam employed women in various roles including anti-aircraft batteries, and North Koreans had women guerrillas during the Korean War.  So, the role of women in combat is not new, but Israel appears to have taken the lead at the present time.  Most surprising of all, an Arab country, the United Arab Emirate, has a woman F-16 pilot that participated in the recent bombing of ISIS targets in Syria.  That is almost shocking, to have a female fighter pilot in a Muslim society that generally considers women as chattel!  But, I guess times are changing, and hopefully even Islam will change with times!