The armed forces of any country are a fighting force and even die hard activists of women’s liberation will agree that the going is tough for a soldier fighting in the inhospitable terrain of Afghanistan or the valley of Kashmir. The opponents in these cases are die hard fanatics who profess a religion that gives very few rights to a woman. The question that needs to be answered is, whether women can be active participants as soldiers and warriors in such scenarios.

Historical records of wars are available for 4000 years. That is a pretty long time. However even a cursory reading of the campaigns of Hannibal and Alexander to those of Chengiz khan and Napoleon will show that no women soldiers were used or took part in any operation. There could be exceptions here and there like Joan of Arc or a Rani of Jhansi, but the underlying thread is that women have by and large never been soldiers.

However there are records to show that women did accompany soldiers and armies in a different capacity as ‘camp followers’ or ‘comfort women’. Their job was to comfort the soldier after the heat of battle. Women activists who propagate gender equality, must understand that something not in vogue or practiced for thousands of years cannot be negated at one stroke of a pen.

A deeper study will show that women as soldiers or officers cannot stand up to the rigors of the job due to their God given qualities. Firstly women are not as strong as men and secondly they have inherent biological cycles that cannot be obviated and certainly can be restrictive in the heat of combat. That is the reason even an enlightened nation like the USA does not use women for combat duties.

A few times the women were used as soldiers like during the first Iraq war the results were disastrous as an Iraqi attack took some women recruits as prisoners with disastrous results of sexual assault. Women’s equality with man certainly needs to be supported but women in the armed forces is not the best of things. Perhaps their role as non combatants can have some meaning as they will add a feminine and healing touch in a world that is certainly a mans world.

It is a great responsibility but at the same time it is very rewarding when you are able to help someone or when you have contributed something special. Sacrificing life and time is no big joke. If you want to render service, you have to have a firm mind and sees to it that the decision made will never be taken back. That is the essence of a true citizen of a certain country. Ready and willing to give no matter what it takes.

Being one of the military troops is one great example of sacrificing life and time. Think about the responsibility of all the military men, it is so great and very challenging. Once they are out in the battle, their hearts never stop pounding, their mind needs to be focused and their body is in deep pressure. It is the intense adrenaline rush that makes them so in to the battle for peace and prosperity.

It is not easy to become a part of the military most especially when you have a family and little kids to think about. The family that they have left behind also feels intense pressure every time their husband or their father is on a mission. The hearts of families never stop from beating fast too. They never stop from worrying and they even constantly think of what could have been going on every single minute. Family support, strength, courage and prayers are what every military soldier needs in order for them to face all of the hardships that they meet.

When an individual has a firm decision on becoming a military soldier, all out support from the family and significant others should be given. For those individuals who are willing to become a member of the military in their country, they must pass or qualify the requirements and the standards of the military academy.

One very important requirement is the age. Those who are willing to join the academy must be at least 17 years old but with parental consent or 18 years old without any parental consent. You need to be of legal age when you want to join due to the fact that this matter is very serious and it needs mature individuals in order to fully understand the procedures and issues that surround the academy and of course, the country. Age is definitely one of the criteria when talking about legal matters. Same goes too when you want to carry and use a self defense tazer or any forms of non lethal weapons.

The military academy also requires every applicant to be in good physical condition. Health is a requirement and as much as possible, they want their applicants to be mentally and emotionally fit as well. They will undergo screening and medical examinations to determine if there are underlying diseases and also if they are qualified or not. This is also a requirement when one decides to buy a stun gun for self defense.

Educational attainment is one requirement that almost any branch of military also requires. Applicants must have graduated from high school and can present a high school diploma and any other accepted credentials. In almost any type of work field, having a good educational background is a must.

Good moral character is another requirement in almost any military service. The recruiter will have to perform a serious background check in all of the applicants. This is to determine if the applicant has history of being imprisoned, use of illegal drugs and has committed serious crimes. Applicants having such can destroy the reputation of the military academy.

If you think you have what it takes to become a good military soldier, you can apply to any branch of military service. Just make sure that you have full support from your family and a strong will and determination to serve your nation.