Meet the new IDF Officers who have Broken the Glass Ceiling

Last week, a new glass ceiling was shattered upon the completion of the IDF Officers Course for the Israeli Air Force Aerial Defense Array. 70% of the graduates of the course are women, which is the highest percentage to date.

"There's something really unique about having a majority of the graduates be women", said 2nd Lt. Lior, who is starting her new position as an officer in the David's Sling Defense System. "It shows all of us that women are just as capable as men, if not more."

Their journey to becoming officers started a long time ago, even before drafting. "I initially didn't want to be a combat soldier", says 2nd Lt. Moran, a new officer in the Iron Dome system.

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"The [Aerial Defense] Array is a combat unit in which women and men serve together, and therefore go to the general Officers Course together with combat soldiers from various IDF infantry brigades", says 2nd Lt. Lior. In the Aerial Defense Array, female officers are no longer unusual, but in the Combat Officers Course, they are still a significant minority. "Going through the training together with everyone was challenging, but also a very unique experience. When we finally completed the course and then began the professional training section back in the Aerial Defense Array, it felt like coming home", she adds.

When they are asked what made them realize they wanted to be officers, they responded in sync—Operation Guardian of the Walls. At the time, each of them was in a different place: 2nd Lt. Moran was serving at an Iron Dome battery in southern Israel, 2nd Lt. Lior was in a commanders course, and 2nd Lt. Noya, also a new officer in the Iron Dome Array—was already a commander during the operation.

"This was where I first witnessed the life-saving importance of the Iron Dome Aerial Defense System and of the Aerial Defense Array as a commander, for my soldiers, and of course for the protection of the entire country", says 2nd Lt. Noya. "We understood that it was the time to give our all", adds 2nd Lt. Lior. "In practice, it means that we didn't sleep, ate only field rations and stayed in the field to protect our country. It was very touching to feel the appreciation of the country afterwards."

Last week, the three new officers, alongside 17 others, started their new positions as company commanders. "We want to prepare our soldiers for the changing reality. The situation can go from a 0 to a 100 at any time", explains 2nd Lt. Moran, "In the end, our systems don't operate themselves and we carry a meaningful mission on our shoulders: to guide our soldiers and help them become the best soldiers they can be."