Beautiful And Deadly: Meet The Women Warfighters Of Israel
Israel decided to allow women into limited combat infantry roles in 2000.
They stood up a mixed-gender infantry company called the "Karakas" or the Wildcats.
The Wildcats are a light infantry and surveillance ground combat unit responsible for guarding the southern area of operations (AO).
The AO responsibility would put the Wildcats and Cpl. S in a position to intercept many southern terrorist infiltrators.
Along with Cpl. "S.," another female infantry soldier made headlines when she fled the fight.
Though anyone who knows combat, knows that fear and cowardice are not gender-biased.
One thing does seem gender biased though: Intelligence gathering.
Of the many positions newly available to women, ground intel saw the most support from the 'fairer' sex.
Women proved more capable at extracting intel and developing sources then men — today they make up 55 percent of the IDF's intel operators.
There are still certain barriers and segregations that are upheld, like sleeping quarters and bathrooms.
Even so, hot metal doesn't discern between gender or orientation. Frags don't ask questions.
Soon women found themselves charging in beside the men.
One general even quipped that women aged 18-20 were better equipped for surveillance duties, since men of comparable age didn't have the 'maturity' for long-term concentration.
Israel still holds 8 to 12 percent of ground combat positions out of reach for women.
They say those remaining jobs are currently 'under review' though, likely accelerated recently in part to the new U.S. position.
Since 1948 and the establishment of the Israeli state, women have played an integrated role in military operations.
Israeli military women 'outnumber' the U.S. ratio by 2:1, making up 33 percent of the IDF.
That has a lot to do with Israel's mandatory enlistment policy (three years for men, two years for women).
Of the roughly 1500 women conscripted every year, a select few will try to be infantry.
And of them, a staggering 40 percent wash out without earning the occupation.
Women make up just 3 percent of IDF infantry officers.
Ponytails and bullet proof vests: the IDF takes advantage of women's superior endurance by placing them in surveillance, reconnaissance and sniper positions.
Women make up over 50 percent in staff officer schools, indicating a rise in leadership positions.
Women warfighters in full combat gear are almost indistinguishable from their male counterparts.
Some women have proven tough despite very real limits in physiology: the first ever female Home Front Commander finished a grueling final 'beret' march while ...
She was six months pregnant. Then three months after graduation, she gave birth to a healthy child ... and future IDF hard charger no doubt.
So everyone should remember, even though the men probably don't lie in each other's laps ...
In the IDF, and now in the U.S., pulling that trigger is not gender-dependent.
You've checked out the women warfighters of Israel ...
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