Page "Brazilian Armed Forces" Paragraph 9

21 – 45 years of age for compulsory military service ; conscript service obligation-9 to 12 months ; 17 – 45 years of age for voluntary service.

An increasing percentage of the ranks are " long-service " volunteer professionals ; women were allowed to serve in the armed forces beginning in early 1980s when the Brazilian Army became the first army in South America to accept women into career ranks ; women serve in Navy and Air Force only in Women's Reserve Corps.