Women across Brazil have been granted the opportunity to enlist voluntarily in the Armed Forces starting January 1, 2025, as announced by Defense Minister José Mucio Monteiro during the 25th anniversary celebrations of the Ministry of Defense held in Brasília. This monumental change was officially sanctioned by Decree No. 12,154, signed on August 27, 2024, by President Luiz Ignácio Lula da Silva.
The enlistment will be open to women born in 2007, with registrations taking place from January 1 to June 30 of next year. Initially, there are 1,500 spots available, and the entire process will be conducted without any fees. Candidates will be required to complete several stages, including interviews, health examinations, physical tests, and specific selection processes for each branch of the Armed Forces: Navy, Army, and Air Force. The training for the selected candidates is slated to commence in 2026.
To qualify for enlistment, candidates must reside in locales with military organizations under the General Convocation Plan (PGC). Once enrolled, women will take on roles as recruit sailors in the Navy, soldiers in the Army, or second-class soldiers in the Air Force, serving for at least 12 months, with the possibility of extending their service yearly for up to eight years.
The registration process is similar to the military enlistment for men and can be done online through the portal alistamento.eb.mil.br or at the respective Military Service Bureau (JSM) for the individual's municipality. Women who choose to enlist will enjoy benefits equivalent to those available to men under mandatory military service, which include pay, vacation allowances, healthcare through the Armed Forces' health system, food and transportation aid, as well as maternity leave and pre-school assistance. Time served will also count toward retirement benefits.
Currently, women make up about 10% of the Brazilian Armed Forces, totaling approximately 37,000 personnel. Their roles predominantly span health, education, and logistics, though they can access combat positions through specific recruitment processes like those offered at the Army Cadet Preparatory School (EsPCEx), Naval College (CN), and Air Cadet Preparatory School (EPCAR).
Minister José Mucio Monteiro has indicated this initiative reflects the government's commitment to expand opportunities for women within the defense sector, fostering equality and modernization within military institutions. Interested individuals can find additional information about the female enlistment process on the Gov.br website.
Simultaneously, female military enlistment has formally begun across Brazil, with 1,465 openings available for women turning 18 years old throughout 2025, including several cities within the state of Mato Grosso do Sul like Campo Grande, Ladário, and Corumbá. The enrollment period lasts until June 30, and potential candidates are encouraged to follow the application guidelines, as recruitment will be organized according to specific phases.
The selection process requires candidates to pass through physical tests, medical evaluations, and other clinical assessments, with incorporation planned for March or August of 2026. While initial enlistment is voluntary, mandatory service kicks in upon incorporation, lasting 12 months, extendable up to eight years.
This policy marks substantial progress toward enhancing women's representation within Brazil's military framework, which has historically been dominated by male personnel. The Armed Forces currently employ around 37,000 women, making up roughly 10% of the total military strength. Despite their limited representation, women already serve effectively across various sectors, including healthcare, logistics, and education, and can engage in competitive exams for combat-related positions.
The enlistment process for women is governed by Decree No. 12,154, which establishes the regulations concerning initial military service for women, contrasting the obligatory 18-year enlistment for men.
On another front, the Center for Human Resources Studies recently graduated students from several specialization courses aimed at military personnel. This ceremony, which took place at Forte Duque de Caxias, recognized 57 graduates, including members from the Army, Navy, and Military Police from various states such as Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul, Goiás, and Rondônia, as well as one representative from the Suriname Army.
The Center for Human Resources Studies, established since 1965, focuses on human behavior studies and aims to equip military officials with skills necessary for roles within the social sciences. The courses, which have included combinations of remote and in-person phases, cover areas like social communication, pedagogical coordination, and school psychopedagogy.
Upon completion, qualified personnel will return to military organizations, employing their newly acquired knowledge to support the institutional missions of the Brazilian Army.
The recent developments reflect both the increasing opportunities for women entering the Armed Forces and the emphasis on continuous education for military professionals, ensuring both inclusion and excellence within Brazil's defense sector.