The Israel Navy’s first-ever female corvette commander, Lt.-Cmdr. “R.,” has excelled in her first half-year managing her small warship and is expected to eventually earn additional promotions, The Jerusalem Post has learned.
When the IDF announced in February that it had named R. to become its first-ever female boat commander, she had already broken through a glass ceiling in the navy. It now appears that her trajectory is set to break through more barriers.
In recent years, the navy has welcomed more female sailors and officers, but in February, R. became the navy’s most prominent female.
The corvette under R.’s command is expected to be at the forefront of naval combat operations, according to the IDF.
It was already involved in attacking the Syrian navy, assassinating the political head of Hamas in Gaza, the head of Hezbollah’s aerial threats, and various other offensive and defensive operations.
The Post can confirm that under R.’s command, the vessel has continued to be involved in high-profile operations and has carried out complex missions successfully.
R. joined the navy’s commanders course in 2016 and has since fulfilled various positions, including deputy commander of a missile boat and commander of a Dvora-class vessel.
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In February, the commander of the navy at the time, V.-Adm. David Saar Salama, said R. was the right choice for the role based solely on her qualifications. The IDF clearly wanted to highlight the advancement of women in combat roles.
Since then, the Post has learned from R.’s current superiors that her performance leaves little doubt that she will likely be a candidate for further promotions.