The Daily Star
July
8, 2000
The
nearly 1,00,00 strong Bangladesh army will induct female officers in its
active ranks shortly. The
first duly recited women cadet officers are expected to undergo a two-year
extensive training beginning in December this year. They will join the 47th
BMA long course at the Bangladesh Military Academy (BMA) at Bhatiary in
Chittagong.
The
first female army officers will be in command positions by December 2002,
sources concerned said.
The
adjutant General’s Branch of Army Headquarters in an announcement says,
the government has decided to induct women in the army. With a view to
giving commission to the female candidates in Bangladesh Army, Selection
activities will commence soon.
The
sources however said the number of female cadets in the first batch would
depend on the response received.
In
the past, recruitment of female officers in the Army was restricted to the
Army Medical corps. But the recruitment this time would open up a new front
for women officers who could be posted in different active branches as
commissioned of facers.
However, they would not join the fighting services
but are mainly expected to be placed in staff positions, the signal corps
and other static jobs.
Later,
Women officers are expected to be recruited for Education and Engineering
corps in the Army, one source said.
No
decision has been taken as yet to recruit non-commissioned women Armed
Forces Personnel.
The
requirements for potential women officers have been fixed on the basis of
new criteria. They must have a minimum height of five feet and minimum
weight of 90 pounds. Their normal chest size is to be 28 inches and in
expanded form 30 inches.
The applicants will have to be HSC passed in the
second division or possess a Senior Cambridge Certificate. The qualifying
officers must be unmarried. It was not known how long they have to remain
single.
