Voluntary basic military service for women was introduced in spring. Elena L. is one of the first to take advantage of this offer – the 21-year-old from Salzburg has been completing her basic training with Jäger Battalion 25 for four weeks.
You joined Jäger Battalion 25 four weeks ago. Why did you decide to join the army?
I first thought about the option a few years ago, simply because I always had something unusual in mind for my career. At that time, however, it was still too far away, I was still at school. Since then, however, I’ve never lost sight of the possibility and when the opportunity arose, I wanted to seize it and now I’m standing here in uniform.
You are from Salzburg, so why did you decide to join Jägerbataillon 25, a Carinthian unit?
As I said, I wanted to do something unusual, and if I was going to do something unusual, I wanted to do it properly, which is the case here. Jäger Battalion 25 is the only airborne unit in the army, the training is very good and I didn’t regret my decision for the first few weeks. Quite the opposite: it’s all very strenuous and demanding, but I’ve also learned a lot of new things – I like it here. https://militaeraktuell.at/29193-2/
What has been better than expected so far? What has perhaps been worse?
I can’t think of anything worse and everything is better than expected. I started the army adventure without any great expectations, I wanted to take my time to see everything and so far I’ve only been positively surprised. I was also surprised by the intensity of the physical exertion, although I am actually very sporty. But that’s how it should be after all, we should learn as much as possible during basic training and be able to take it with us for our future.
“I started the army adventure without any great expectations, I wanted to take my time to look at everything and so far I’ve only been positively surprised.”
How did you decide to join the armed forces? Did you find out about the options yourself or did you seek advice?
Both. I did some research on the internet and looked at information brochures, but then I also spoke to friends who are in the army. I got a pretty good idea and then decided to give the Jägerbataillon 25 a try. I’m now doing my basic military service here with the prospect of being accepted into the cadre presence unit. That would be for a period of three years.
So when we meet again in three years’ time, you’ll still be in the army?
Easily possible (laughs). As you know, you should never say never in life, but at the moment I see no reason why I shouldn’t be in the army and in Jäger Battalion 25. And it doesn’t matter that I’m a woman. I was very well received and I want to show that women can also do this demanding job. So far, I think I’ve succeeded quite well.
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