Women in the IDF, 1968.

IDF women-soldiers in 1968.

Inspection at Bahad 12: Women’s Corps Base at Tzrifin (1968)

On March 29, 1968, female soldiers in army training stand at attention at a military parade review, overseen by Base Commander Lieutenant Colonel Yona Yodfat.

Bahad 12, located within the Tzrifin military base, served as the primary training center for the IDF Women’s Corps, known in Hebrew as Chen (Chayil Nashim). For decades, it was the heart of female military training, hosting everything from basic training and squad leader courses to officer candidate school.

Key Milestones:
- 1948 – Establishment: Formed during Israel’s War of Independence and codified by the Defense Service Law of 1949.
- Early Roles: Initial duties focused on administrative support, driving, nursing, communications, and instruction.
- The 2001 Integration: The corps was dissolved to fully integrate female soldiers directly into regular unit commands across the IDF.
- Present Day: Oversight shifted to the Advisor to the Chief of Staff on Gender Affairs (Yohalam), advancing gender equality and equal opportunity.

Archival Details
Location: Tzrifin, Israel
Date: March 29, 1968
Photographer: Y. Aharonson
Source: Yehudit Garinkol via the PikiWiki Project, Public Domain.