According to Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP), 645 female soldiers are currently part of the army. The share of women is therefore 4.3 percent. This quota is now being increased using a “voluntary basic military service” for women.
Until now, female soldiers could only enter a cadre career (officer, non-commissioned officer) with an aptitude test, but from April there should be the possibility of an orientation phase equivalent to basic military service, Defense Secretary Tanner explained at the International Women’s Day.
“We want to give women this access as well,” Tanner explained. After all, 40 percent of men would only decide on a career in the army during their basic military service. Of course, women who don’t like it can cancel any month. The advertising drum will be rolled out around Girls’ Day, this year on April 27.
No legislative changes required
The training service for team and batch functions is also opened. According to Tanner, no legislative changes are necessary because the legal framework of the training service is used. According to the training service, the compensation is around 1250 euros and is therefore equal to that of the military.
22 sergeants and two brigadiers
According to the Department of Defense, most of the currently active 645 female military personnel are non-commissioned officers (302). In 2023, a total of 348 non-commissioned officers with the rank of sergeant retired from the Army, 22 of them women. The currently highest rank for female officers is the rank of brigadier general, which is currently held by two women.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
