“When I was promoted, perhaps I didn’t even have this full idea of what I could represent”, says Claudia Lima Gusmão Cacho, 57, Brazilian, when reporting meetings with young people who say they are inspired by her to pursue a military career. “People like me 30 years ago,” he says.
With three decades in the Land Force, Claudia attributes her pioneering rise to generalship to her own work and an adaptation of women. “There is a combination of factors. It wasn’t an abrupt thing. It was built over the years”, he says in an interview with Sheet.
The general denies having faced resistance from colleagues in the military because she is a woman. Used to a meritocratic environment, she says she never considered herself a feminist, but argues that everyone should have equal opportunities. “And then, it’s up to each person. You have options, choices and you will fight for what you want.”
The officialization of , one of the main positions in the Force’s hierarchy, was the subject of a ceremony on April 1st.
The Army turned 378 weeks later, on the 19th. Women’s entry into official military military classes, which allows promotion to the position, was only authorized in 2012.
The soldier recognizes that her originality opens doors for other women, but says that “it’s not because she’s a woman.” “It’s because you worked, studied, had the competence and merit to get there. This, yes, serves as an inspiration for others to come and come. They are coming, many of them.”
Born in Recife, the pediatrician also worked in Rio de Janeiro, Mato Grosso do Sul, Goiás, Rondônia and Rio Grande do Norte and, in April, took over the management of the Brasília Area Military Hospital.
The unit is located in the Urban Military Sector, close to the Army Headquarters. The place was the scene of demonstrations by (PL) supporters in the last elections calling for a military coup.
In 2026, an election year, Claudia avoids delving into political issues. Asked whether episodes like this could happen again and whether the coup plot has been overcome within the Army, she states that the institution is “permanent and non-partisan”.
Her rise as the Army’s first general was mostly the result of her work or there were also structural changes in the Force that contributed to that?
There is a combination of factors. It wasn’t an abrupt thing, it was built over the years. It addresses the issue of career and, over this time, the Force also opened up more space for women. It adapted and, with the increasing entry of the female segment, doors began to open.
Was there resistance, whether explicit or covert, to your ascension, because you were a woman?
No. On the contrary, we [homens e mulheres] had the same actions to do, the same rights, the same duties. We were all volunteers. We were there because we wanted to be. We were always introduced to the same activities.
Can the female contingent in the Army reach higher levels, such as 20% or 30%?
The Women’s Initial Military Service directive was very well received. We saw the number of women who enlisted and were selected. And today they are integrated. I see this as very positive, due to acceptance and opportunity. Within the guideline there is this increase, which will be gradual, to reach the percentage established by the [de 20% até 2035].
What was an exception when I joined has now become natural. The Army gained a lot with the arrival of women. It opened its range of attracting, capturing resources, values.
Last year, a group of military personnel was convicted by the STF for attempting a coup d’état. Has the coup plot been overcome within the Army? Demonstrations in QG can be repeated?
The Army remains a permanent national institution, which is non-partisan and has maintained its constitutional mission, as has always been the case. The Army remains the institution we know, which provides services, delivers to society and is always in constant evolution.
As soldiers, we have our constitutional mission, which is well established: the defense of the homeland.
What are your priorities as head of the Brasília Military Hospital?
The management of military health organizations is always very complex. You have to combine the technical part with the logistics. We have to be prepared for an operational need. Health is part of the human dimension of the Force within strategic projects. The objectives are not General Claudia’s.
Do you see yourself as an inspiration for other young women? What is it like to be a reference?
It’s something I’ve heard a lot wherever I’ve been. When I was promoted, maybe I didn’t even have that idea of what I could represent. [Ouvi] of many people I didn’t know. People who have been me for 30 years. I found it very interesting, because you see that you open doors. Women, in general, who reach a level that no one had reached before, they open doors for others, they inspire.
Remembering that it’s not because you’re a woman. It’s because you worked, studied, had the competence and merit to get there. This serves as inspiration for others to come and to come. They are coming, lots of them. I arrived first because I walked the path that was necessary. And in a little while, when they do the same, the women who are graduating from the Agulhas Negras Military Academy will also arrive.
Do you consider yourself a feminist? How do you see this debate for gender equality?
I never considered myself a feminist. I believe that we should have equal opportunities. Opportunities should be for everyone. And then, it’s up to each person. You have options, you have choices and you will fight for it. “Ah, I want to get to…”. So, I will prepare, train myself, study, work and reach the goal.
What was it like balancing motherhood with your military career? Were there additional challenges?
When I joined the Army I already had my eldest daughter. There are 12 years of difference between them. It was possible to reconcile, but I always had a lot of support from my family, my husband, friends too. We end up creating this bond, because, if we don’t have this support, it really becomes very complicated. I had normal maternity leave, no problems, breastfeeding. My husband is in the military.
What is your objective within the Army? Reach High Command?
The medical general only reaches the rank of division general, whether male or female. Our goal is to keep doing the work. I don’t see any reason to stop. It’s difficult to tell what it’s like to wear the uniform, but it’s a purpose. It’s about serving the country and I can do that within my area, in the direction of the hospital. I have this period as a brigadier general and I may, later on, run for the post of health director, but that’s not what I’m thinking about right now. And, when we like, to go out… It becomes natural: put the house in the box and let’s go.
X-RAY
Claudia Lima Gusmão Cacho, 57
Brigadier general of the Brazilian Army and director of HMAB (Brasília Area Military Hospital). She is a pediatrician and joined the Force in 1996 as a temporary officer, in the then 42nd Motorized Infantry Battalion, in Goiânia. Gusmão completed the Medical Officer Training Course in 1998. She was previously head of the Health Echelon of the 1st Military Region Command, in Rio de Janeiro, and director of the Natal Garrison Hospital and the Campo Grande Area Military Hospital.
