Throughout history, women have played a vital role in military forces worldwide, breaking barriers, shaping history, and making invaluable contributions on and off the battlefield.
From pioneering leadership to groundbreaking achievements, their impact continues to grow.
In celebration of International Women’s Day, we’re highlighting nine fun and inspiring facts about women in the military—showcasing their strength, resilience, and the incredible ways they have shaped armed forces across the globe.
- Norway, Sweden, and Israel are three countries that conscript women for equal military service!
- One of the first examples of women’s combat service in the US was when the American Women’s Auxillary Army Corps joined the 36th Coast Artillery Brigade, to staff antiaircraft batteries in 1942. George C Marshall oversaw this experiment and concluded that the women were immensely capable, and that mixed gender units performed better than all-male units.
- In WWI, women working in munitions factories handling TNT were often called ‘canaries’, due to the toxic jaundice that could turn their hair and skin yellow.
- Before women were permitted to apply for special operations roles, women were employed in ‘Female Engagement Teams’ (beginning in 2009) throughout Operation Desert Storm. These teams were attached to special forces units, and were integral in engaging indigenous communities and intelligence collection.
- Norway has employed women in combat roles since the 1990s, and the Norwegian government concludes that this has increased operational effectiveness.
- Dissimilar to Australian BFTs/PFTs, the UK Army’s ‘Role Fitness Test’ is gender and age free!
- During WWII, the Australian Women’s Land Army was created to support agriculture and farming, while male farmers were away at war.
- In England, the first women police officers served during WWI!
- And this last fact is just for fun, but over the last five years, organisations including the US Army, US Marines, the Australian Regular Army and Royal Australian Navy, have all introduced new regulations that allows women to wear ponytails plaits and dreadlocks (amongst other hairstyles).
Women have long been a powerful force in the military, bringing leadership, innovation, and resilience to armed forces around the world.
Their contributions continue to shape the future of defense, proving that strength knows no gender.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, let’s recognize and honor the incredible women who have served, inspired, and paved the way for future generations.
Their impact is undeniable, and their legacy will continue to inspire for years to come.