New Delhi: Indian women in uniform have populated the corridors of Defence forces for more than a decade now and pack a commanding punch into their work.
Essentially perceived a male bastion, the Armed Forces have seen a number of women officers defying stereotypes and making it to the roll of honour.
WOMEN IN THE ARMY
The Indian Army began recruiting women officers in 1993, opening the doors to what was popularly perceived a male-domain.
The primary reason behind the move was to create an "equal, pro-woman" atmosphere in the Army as also to fill up vacancies at junior levels.
The entrance procedure is simple. Twice a year, over 5,000 graduate and post-graduate women, aged between 21 to 25 years, appear for Combined Defence Services entrance exam to join the Army.
450 women currently serve in combat units of Israel's security forces, primarily in the Border Police. The first female fighter pilot received her wings in 2001.There are, and were, exceptions. Religious women, married women, women with children are all automatically excluded. But most young women welcome the call-up.
The women officers commissioned are recruited for five years, extendable up to 10.
In the Officer's Training Academy in Chennai, the training program lasts only six months for women. For male cadets, it's nine months.
Women officers are not deployed at the frontline and postings are usually in the Engineers, Ordnance, Signals, Army Service, Education, Intelligence or the Legal Branch.
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WOMEN IN THE NAVY
Women were inducted into the Indian navy for the first time in 1992, when 22 cadets were trained in education and logistics law cadres.
Most women joining the Navy inducted in the medical cadre and were posted as doctors. The Indian Navy has a number of well-qualified women doctors.
With time, women have expanded their traditional roles in the Navy - from instructors and medical personnel to other diverse fields like marine diving and exploration.
In 1993, the Navy recruited more women for air traffic control duties and by 1994, there were 35 women naval officers.
WOMEN IN THE AIR FORCE
Women who are graduates, engineers and post graduates can join as officers in the Air force.
The first batch of women pilots were commissioned in the Air Force on December 17, 1994. Since then women pilots have been serving in frontline Air Force transport and helicopter squadrons.
Women officers are also serving in Technical, Administrative, Logistics, Education and Medical branches.
The first batch of women Air Traffic Controller and Fighter Controller/D ATS was commissioned in May 1996. Thus all branches of the IAF now have women serving.
As an officer with the Indian Air Force, women are posted either as pilots, navigators, or technical or ground duty officers in any one of the Air Force bases.
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