The number of female personnel (Whole Time Equivalent) serving at all ranks in the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service over the last five years is set out in the table below, together with the current strength as of 31 January 2018:
|
2013
|
2014
|
2015
|
2016
|
2017
|
2018
|
Army
|
450
|
464
|
458
|
476
|
496
|
482
|
Air Corps
|
31
|
35
|
33
|
33
|
34
|
35
|
Naval Service
|
65
|
64
|
61
|
59
|
70
|
70
|
Total
|
546
|
563
|
552
|
568
|
600
|
587
|
The Government is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities. This is underlined by a commitment in the Programme for Government to increase the level of female participation in the Defence Forces.
The Defence Forces have no restrictions with regard to the assignment of men or women to the full range of operational and administrative duties, and all promotions and career courses are open to both sexes on merit.