By Mariana Vicara
Brasília (DF), 28/8/2024 – Women who turn 18 in 2025 will be able to enlist in the Armed Forces for the first time. The initiative was announced on Wednesday (28/08) by the Minister of Defense, José Mucio Monteiro, at an event celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Ministry of Defense, held in Brasília. According to Decree No. 12.154, of August 27, 2024, signed by the President of the Republic, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, female enlistment will be voluntary.
Initially, 1,500 vacancies will be offered, with recruitment beginning in 2025 and joining one of the Navy, Army or Air Force military organizations starting in 2026. The initiative is being adopted in an unprecedented way by the Armed Forces Commands, after a period of study in conjunction with the Ministry of Defense. By law, enlistment lasts 12 months and can be extended every one year up to a maximum of eight years.
Criteria
According to the decree, the enlistment period will take place between the months of January and June, the same period as the men’s enlistment period – and the volunteers must reach their majority in the year of enrollment and also reside in one of the municipalities that have a Military Organization and that were included in this pioneering initiative. From the official moment of incorporation, military service will be compulsory, and the servicewoman will be subject to the obligations and duties laid down in Law 4.375/64 and the respective regulations of each force.
Women in the Armed Forces
Currently, the Armed Forces have 37,000 women, which corresponds to around 10% of all personnel. With the adoption of conscription, the number of opportunities should gradually increase. Today, women work in the Armed Forces mainly in the areas of health, teaching and logistics or have access to the combat area through specific public competitions in educational establishments, such as the Navy’s Naval College (CN), the Army Cadet Preparatory School (EsPCEx) and the Air Cadet Preparatory School (EPCAR) of the Air Force.
See the Decree in full. (in Portuguese)