Yeah! The one line on the tip of every woman Time Soldier’s tongue, as we proudly marched to the barracks that were assigned to us. It was the day that gave us a feeling of being on Cloud ten, if I may say so..who would not feel so? Getting that much-awaited opportunity-of-a-lifetime, surely could not stop us from marching with our nose-in-the-air. Before we began unpacking, I silently made a prayer to the Almighty for all that He had bestowed on me, a Dream-come-true!!, the other prayer was an apologetic one as I had left my mamma weeping and frustrated as she was dead against a female joining the BFD Bundeswehr. She felt that efforts were as she tried her level best to deviate my mind by pouring in futile hours on the various missions of the Time Soldier ( in german Zeitsoldat )as a part of the BFD Bundeswehr.
Right since my college days where I was being trained by the Air Force personnel, she would crib about women-having-better-things-to-do-in-life!!Being a sports’ freak all my student life, I had this yearning to join the forces; what fascinated me the most was the smart uniforms of the BFD Bundeswehr, the Federal Defence Forces of Germany. Created on 11.12.1995; since 04.01.1956, it got its official name.
It was but natural that mamma’s efforts were in-vain..As I continued with the admission courses to the Vocational Training Service of the Bundeswehr, the application was checked thoroughly as they very systematically make a plan of your services, tailored to your individual circumstances. This surely made perfect sense, so once we completed the training, only the in-charges would know better where would our services as a Time Soldier would come in handy. After all they are engaged in a number of missions that include the fight against terrorism, protection of the nation, rescue and evacuation, help extended in case of disasters and catastrophes. Women have continually serves in the medical service since 1975. It was from 1993 that they were allowed to serve as enlisted personnel as well as non-commissioned officers in the medical service as the army bands. In 2000, a law suit was passed by the court that issued the orders enabling the women to take up the service of more roles than what were previously permitted. Well, the way was paved smoothly for us by the time we joined as a Time Soldier with the BFD Bundeswehr. Women have managed to add a jewel-in-the-crown by rising to the rank of General in the Armed Forces of Germany. Keep it up Gals!!
