More and more young women are choosing to become soldiers. The military likes it for several reasons and recently began offering volunteer basic military services.
About 70 of the 750 female soldiers across Austria currently serve in the state of Salzburg. The “Krone” heard from young women in the Schwarzenberg barracks in Wals-Siezenheim why they chose this career path and what they experienced.
Voluntary military service offers insight
Fifteen minutes before the appointed time, a group of female soldiers stand at attention at the meeting point to answer the interview questions. “I have been interested in the profession for a long time,” says Adriana Miletic (20). The woman from Bludenz and graduate of a tourism school took advantage of an opportunity offered by the army since April 2023: Miletic fulfills the voluntary basic military service. A good choice, she says. “The opportunity is great. I don’t have to join the team right away, I can first see how I like it.”
Your trainer is Daniela Egartner (26) from Rosegg in Carinthia. In Command Support Battalion 2 in St. Johann she is responsible for new non-commissioned officers and military base servants. From seven years in the army she knows: “Women take criticism more seriously. They work harder on themselves than men when something isn’t working. They are more resilient in many situations, for example when sleep deprived during long exercises,” says Egartner. Even though she has been there longer, she notices: “As a woman you stand out.”
Tamara Böhm (21) describes how noticeable this is, especially when she joins the army. “People are always looking at you in the first few weeks,” says the Bergheim resident. She wants to become a military doctor. “If I pass the university entrance exam, I can fully concentrate on my studies as an army employee,” says Böhm, hoping for a positive exam in May.
“Men now feel more motivated”
The armed forces are intensively trying to recruit more women. “The men feel more motivated by the women when they have to perform,” says a spokesperson with a smile. Female soldiers are a great asset to the military.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
