Women have always played a vital role in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), since its creation in 1948, shortly after the declaration of the State of Israel. The Israeli military is considered one of the best-trained armed forces in the world, thanks in part to progressive changes in the military regarding women's equality. Historically, at the IDF base, women were kept out of combat and served primarily in various support tasks under the command of the Chen (Women's Army Corps). These support tasks were extremely important to the functioning of the IDF, but did not satisfy women who wanted a more active frontline role. The aftermath of the Yom Kippur War in 1973 initiated a major shift in military thinking regarding women in the IDF. The increased need for ground forces allowed women to enter some operational divisions of the army, but still excluded them from any combat participation. Despite new recognition of the role of women in the military after 1973, equality was slow to come about. Finally, in January 2000, after a Supreme Court battle led by Allice Miller a few years earlier, the Equality Amendment to the Military Service Act was implemented. Thus, giving women the opportunity to volunteer in combat support and light combat roles. The Prime Minister of the State of Israel had a vision of equalizing the roles of women and men in active combat roles in the IDF. On May 31, 1948, after the creation of the State of Israel, the cabinet of Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion officially created the Israeli army and declared it the country's army. It then became official that women aged 18 to 24, single or married, without children, had to join...... middle of paper ......//www.idf.il/1283- 9679 -en/Dover.aspx>."The Israeli Air Force." Israeli Air Force. December 28, 2010. Web. December 10, 2011. “Israeli army celebrates first-ever female major general. » Israel Defense Forces, June 23, 2011. Web. December 5, 2011. “Israeli Women in the Army.” Women's rights. The Israel Project. Internet. December 5, 2011. .Izraeli, Dafna Nundi. “Israel Defense Forces.” Archives of Jewish Women. March 1, 2009. The web. December 11, 2011. “Women in the IDF.” Krav Maga - Israeli International Krav. Internet. December 10. 2011. .