Slovenia Becomes First NATO Country To Appoint Woman As Chief Of Armed Forces

Major General Alenka Ermenc (Image: Republic of Slovenia MOD)

Slovenia has become the only NATO country to appoint a female officer as head of its army.  

Major General Alenka Ermenc formally took up her post as the Chief of the General Staff of the Slovenian armed forces at a ceremony in Ljubljana. 

The 55-year-old, who had been educated in the UK, replaces Major General Alan Geder after serving as his deputy.

Slovenian President Borut Pahor hopes Maj Gen Ermenc's appointment will help improve the performance of Slovenia's military.

An official statement from his office said: 

"The global trend of a deteriorating security situation continues and even though Slovenia is not directly threatened military-wise, it must improve its military safety relatively quickly." 

Maj Gen Ermenc has participated in the Nato-led KFOR peacekeeping mission in Kosovo and holds several army awards.

At Nato headquarters in Brussels, an official said the alliance "has long recognised the importance of women in the armed forces".

"For Nato, equal participation contributes to more resilient societies, more effective forces, and lasting peace."

An alpine nation of more than two million people, Slovenia has about 7,500 soldiers, including both active and reserve troops.