Women in Command Roles

As Many as 108 women officers in the Army are set to be cleared for the rank of Colonel (selection grade) by January 22 by a special selection board, which will make them eligible to command units and troops in their respective arms and services for the first time.

Why is this development significant?

Most importantly, it grants women officers parity with their male counterparts. Earlier, with a limited period career in the ea. force, there were no promotion avenues for p women officers to become a Colonel and command a unit like male officers of the Indian Army.

It is not that women officers did not reach as the rank of Colonel or beyond in the past, but co they were only in two branches- the Judge Advocate General (JAG) branch and the Army Education Corps-where they were granted permanent commission in 2008.

However, these were staff appointments -which are more administrative in nature- A and not purely command appointments in w which an officer commands troops on o ground.

The Supreme Court's order to grant permanent commission to women Army officers in February 2020 opened the doors for the promotion to women officers across all co streams of the Army, except in the pure com- bat arms. With a longer career in the Army, W women officers could be considered for pro- motions, including to the rank of Colonel and beyond.

What exactly does commanding a unit of the Army mean?

Once promoted to a Colonel, an officer is eligible to command troops directly in the Army, which is an acknowledgment of the leadership qualities of the officer. It is considered a coveted appointment because in no other rank - including higher ranks like Brigadier or Major General - does an officer interact directly with troops on the ground.

Despite working at the grassroots level as junior officers, women officers hitherto did not get an opportunity to prove their leadership skills as they were not eligible to command a unit. For a woman officer, this is an extremely empowering move.

They are still not eligible in core combat arms such as Infantry, Mechanized Infantry and Armored Corps, as the Army is not open to women fighting wars at the borders as foot soldiers. Much of the Army's resistance stems from past instances of male soldiers being taken prisoners of war and tortured by the enemy.

However, the Army has recently decided to open the Corps of Artillery, a combat sup- port arm, to women.

What about the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force?

Women officers have been inducted into all branches of the Navy, and they will be eligible for permanent commission in the future. Women officers can command shore based units and, as they join the service and become eligible for permanent commission, they would be able to command ships and air squadrons.

The IAF has opened all branches for women officers, including the fighter stream and the new weapon systems branch. As they are granted permanent commission based on eligibility and vacancies, they will be eligible to command units in the future.

Which other armies allow women to serve or command units?

All major countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Russia, and Israel, allow women in command positions of their national armed forces.