Women Enter German Combat Forces

Germany welcomed the first women into its military combat forces Tuesday, ending a long tradition of an all-male army, and top officers said the move would have a positive effect on morale.

“Male soldiers will make much more of an effort than they have in the past,” said Harald Kujat, the general inspector of the army.

The first induction of 244 female volunteers began with most entering the army, some the air force and a handful the navy.

Germany had long opposed allowing women into its front-line combat forces. The government changed its policy after one woman sued and won a European Court of Justice decision last January for the right to serve in combat forces. Previously, women were allowed to serve only in musical and medical formations.

The European Court of Justice in Luxembourg said the ban on women bearing arms in the German army went against the European Union’s principle of sexual equality.

The ruling, however, said exceptions were possible “where sex constitutes a determining factor to access to certain special combat units.”

Many of the female inductees said they looked forward to the new era, but they were also apprehensive.

“I am very nervous and don’t know what to expect,” said Sylvia Siebenhauer, a new recruit. “Both men and women are going to have to change their attitudes. I don’t think it will be easy. But I am going to do the best job I can.”