Female Troops On Mission

“This is my third mission, and what is more, I was serving together with several soldiers from the battalion here in Pec in 2006 in the HDF KFOR company" – tells us Sergeant First Class Mária Sándor (pic.1), the deputy head of HDF KFOR Battalion’s administrative unit. As she says: “compared to the conditions back then, the camp – just like Kosovo itself – has undergone major development. There are a lot more opportunities in the camp to spend our free time, and many community facilities have been built where we can recreate after the daily rush. On the other hand, there are a few things which haven’t changed in these two years: Italian cuisine still cannot satisfy the Hungarian stomach, which is used to spicy flavours. Nevertheless, I feel good, and what is more I have a chance to try myself in a new and exciting thing: the Italians have given us an hour on the camp radio operated by them, and I am one of the hosts. I personally consider this radio programme a very good thing, and based on the feedback from soldiers, more and more people listen to it, I get positive response. I believe with this single hour, we manage to break the monotony of daily routine, and it is a good thing."

The situation has changed in other areas as well. In the past years, it was a stereotype that female troops are very good at office tasks, but fieldwork is the men’s area of expertise. This theory is disproved by Sergeant Orsolya Róth (pic. 2), Commander of HDF KFOR Battalion 1st company, 3rd platoon, 2nd squad.

"Our primary task is to perform various patrolling activities and related assignments, such as the operation of watch points and check/passing points. But our tasks also involve for instance the protection of a Serbian monastery and the nuns living there. It is my first mission and I have gained lots of interesting and new experiences so far. Back home, I was in charge of setting combat vehicles, but my task here is of a different nature now. One of the biggest challenges for me is that being a commander, I must attend my subordinate troops, I have to control and lead them. Today I’m absolutely accepted, in the beginning it was a bit difficult for them, but fortunately enough, it didn’t cause any issues or problems" – says the young sergeant.

Therefore it can be stated that the presence of female troops has become accepted in the military. Experiences show that citizens begin to recognise that it is not always a rugged man behind the uniform.

"As a CIMIC soldier, my main task is liaisoning with civilians, the governmental and non-governmental organizations in the theatre of operations, and various civil organizations" – tells us 1st Lieutenant Enikõ Földházi (pic. 3), the CIMIC officer of HDF KFOR Battalion CIMIC–PSYOPS team.

"What I have experienced so far is that the locals are not embarrassed when they see that we are girls. They are friendly towards us. Until now, there weren’t any problems, not even when on a few occasions we had to negotiate with an older male leader. And the children are a lot more open towards us, following the initial awe" – she adds.

The question may arise – what happens when the mother, who keeps the family together, is away from the family for six months? In addition to her husband, there are three children waiting for Warrant Officer Andrásné Ignéczi (pic. 4), who is serving in the personnel unit of the battalion, to come home.

"I never thought that it is so difficult to be away from the family. It is especially hard when we speak on the telephone and they tell me about their daily difficulties and I cannot help them. Here, at such a distance, I’m helpless, which is a very bad feeling, but at the same time I know that I don’t have to worry about them. Fortunately my husband is an excellent cook and the children help with the housework. But they can hardly wait my return and I, too, would very much like to see them again" – tells us the warrant officer.