Women have always played a vital role in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), since its inception in 1948, shortly after the declaration of the State of Israel. The IDF is considered one of the best-trained armed forces in the world thanks in part to progressive changes in the military regarding equality for women. Historically, at the roots of the IDF, women were retained from combat and primarily served in a variety of support duties under the command of Chen (Women's Army Corps). These support duties were extremely important to the functioning of the IDF, but did not satisfy women who desired a more active role on the front lines. The aftermath of the Yom Kippur War in 1973 initiated a major shift in military thinking for women in the IDF. The growing need for land forces has allowed women to enter select operational divisions in the military, but has still excluded them from participation in any combat role. Despite the new recognition of women's role in the military after 1973, further equality was slow in coming. 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. Therefore, allowing women the opportunity to volunteer in combat support and light combat roles. The Prime Minister of the State of Israel had a vision to equalize the role of women and men from active combat roles in the IDF. On May 31, 1948, following the founding of the State of Israel, Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion's cabinet officially created the IDF and declared it the country's army. It then became official that women aged between 18 and 24, single or married, without children had to register at...... middle of paper ......//www.idf.il/1283-9679 -it/Dover.aspx>."The Israeli Air Force." The Israeli Air Force. December 28, 2010. Web. December 10, 2011. "Israeli Army Celebrates First Female Major General." Israel Defense Forces, June 23, 2011. Web. December 5, 2011. “Israeli Women in the Army.” Women's rights. The Israel project. Network. 5 December 2011. .Israeli, Dafna Nundi. "Israel Defense Forces". Archive of Jewish Women. March 1, 2009. Web. December 11, 2011. "Women in the IDF." Krav Maga - Israeli international Krav. Network. December 10. 2011. .