Brasília (DF) – The new year begins with great news for young Brazilian women who have always dreamed of joining the Armed Forces as soldiers. On January 1, 2025, voluntary enlistment for the Women’s Initial Military Service (SMIF) will begin. Recruitment is exclusive to women born in 2007 and runs until June 30, 2025 on the website www.alistamento.eb.mil.br/alistamento-feminino or in person at the Military Service Boards, where it is possible to serve in the Navy, Army or Air Force.
Initially, the SMIF will be available in 29 municipalities in 14 Federative Units, with 1500 vacancies for women for incorporation in 2026. The full list of municipalities with vacancies open for female enlistment can be found in the General Call-up Plan, which regulates the conditions for enlistment, selection and incorporation into the Armed Forces: https://www.gov.br/defesa/pt-br/assuntos/servico-militar/plano-geral-de-convocacao-1/arquivos/copy_of_SITEMD_PGCSMIF2026.pdf.
The expectation is for a progressive increase in vacancies, as more military organizations prepare for the incorporation of women. The candidates will go through a selection process that includes an interview, health inspection and physical tests. They will also choose the force they wish to join, taking into account their aptitudes and the availability of vacancies.
The women will join the Navy as sailor recruits, the Army as soldiers or the Air Force as second-class soldiers. The service lasts approximately 12 months, which can be extended annually, and can be up to eight years if there is mutual interest. During their service, they will have access to benefits similar to those of men, such as pay, food allowance, counting time towards retirement, as well as maternity leave.
Rights and duties
After joining, women will have the same rights and duties, including professional training courses in various areas, promoted by the Citizen Soldier Project. Physical training will also be equivalent to that of men, with specific criteria for each Force.
At the end of their time on active duty, these women will receive a Reservist Certificate and a Length of Service Certificate. In the reserve, they will carry out the Reserve Presentation Exercise (EXAR), for five years after licensing, with the aim of keeping the reservists’ database up to date. In the event of mobilization, they can be called up, just like the men, as regulated by the Military Service Law and the relevant decrees.
The Armed Forces have around 37,000 women, which corresponds to around 10% of all personnel. Women could already join the Armed Forces as career officers or sergeants, after passing a public competition. There is also the possibility of women being selected as temporary officers and sergeants (serving for up to eight years), through a selection process conducted by the Military Regions. With voluntary enlistment, women now have access to this new possibility of serving their country, now as soldiers.