United States Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta announced on January 24th that the ban on women in  front-line jobs and elite commando positions is to be lifted, opening more than 1,400 positions to female soldiers. The services have until May to submit implementation plans for full integration on January 1, 2016.

Israel is a country with a long experience of women in the front lines. In 1995, Alice Miller, a civilian pilot and aeronautical engineer, sued the Israeli Air Force sued for the right to have the chance to become a military pilot.  She won the case and since then, more combat-related jobs have been opened up for women in the Israeli military.

Now, women can try out for 90 percent of all military professions.  Today, women make up about four percent of Israel’s combat forces, according to the military.

These women work long hours and are often vilified the world over for protecting their country. You can be a blessing to an Israeli soldier this winter by purchasing a special care package that is certain to warm our troops as they not only defend us, but face harsh weather conditions.

Would you like to be a comfort to Israeli soldiers? Click here to send a care package to a soldier.