Female military enlistment began in 2025; Aeronautics has the largest share of this group in relation to the total
Female participation in the Brazilian Armed Forces grew 9.9% in the last 5 years. From 2021 to 2025, it went from 34,227 women to 37,622.
Last year, they represented 10.9% of the total effective of the 3 Forces – Army, Navy and Air Force.
The Air Force is the Force with the highest female participation in relation to total personnel. In 2025, there were 15,080 women, 22.3% of the total.
The Navy has the lowest number of women (9,084) among the Forces, but is 2nd in proportion to personnel. Of the total military personnel, 12.5% are women.
The Army has 13,458 women, which represents 6.5% of the total force.
FEMALE ENTRY
The possibility of enlisting for women in the Armed Forces is recent. Since 2025, candidates over the age of 18 can voluntarily enlist.
The Ministry of Defense stated at the time that the initiative aims to progressively increase the number of women recruited for women’s initial military service. Its objective is to ensure that, within 10 years, women represent 20% of military enlistment places.
Previously, women could only join the Armed Forces through public examinations or military schools such as EspCEx (Army Cadet Preparatory School) and the Naval College, for example.
In March 2026, women to Smirf (Female Initial Military Service). In total, 1,467 joined the Armed Forces jointly and voluntarily to perform military service in 13 states and the Federal District.
Basic training lasts 3 or 4 months, depending on the Force. During this period, volunteers go through a process of adaptation to the military routine. Activities include strict schedules, physical training, instruction in weapons handling, barracks guard duty, united order (military parade), and boot camp activities.
After completing basic training, the incorporated companies perform administrative and operational activities. Functions are defined considering the profile, individual aptitude and needs of each Force. The training and activities performed by women are equivalent to those of men, as are the benefits.
1st WOMAN GENERAL
In 2026, medical colonel Cláudia Lima Gusmão Cacho, 57, the 1st woman to achieve generalship in the history of the Army.
During a ceremony on April 1, the Army commander, General Tomás Paiva, classified the promotion as a historic advance and cited the growing integration of women in operational areas.
He stated that, from 2026, the female segment will also be part of the Communications and combat activities framework.
Furthermore, the Army began voluntary Women’s Military Service with 1,465 pioneers, selected from a pool of 34,000 applicants.
Cláudia Cacho was the only woman among the 30 officers promoted at the April ceremony.
