Brig. Gen. Califi-Amir the first officer to graduate from Battalion Commanders Course. Photo: IDF Spokesperson

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On Monday (July 6) Colonel Gila Califi-Amir was raised to the rank of Brigadier General and appointed Women's Affairs Advisor to the Chief of the General Staff, replacing Brig. Gen. Yehudit Grisru. The Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, the Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Dan Harel and many high ranking officers of the IDF attended the ceremony. Since drafting to the IDF in 1981, Brig. Gen. Califi-Amir has served in many positions including her service as a commander of soldiers in basic training. Over the past three years, she served as the Head of the Department of Infrastructure in the Planning Branch of the IDF.

Brig. Gen. Califi-Amir is 45 years old, she holds an MA in Political Science from Bar Ilan University, was the first woman to graduate from the Battalion Commanders course, and is also a graduate of the National Security College. Brig. Gen. Califi-Amir is married to Maj. Gen. Meir Califi who serves as the Military Secretary to the Prime Minister. Now that she has achieved the rank of Brig. Gen., they are the highest ranking couple in the history of the IDF.

"Gila is a pioneer in her field, and her commanding abilities characterize. She says what she thinks and fights for her beliefs," said, the Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi during his speech at the appointment ceremony. "Even if we see ourselves progressing there are still a lot of things (regarding women's service in the IDF) and I hope we do this successfully and intelligently," he added.