work, medical care, and the development of international cooperation. They also serve in the rear, signal troops, and intelligence forces. Women are exempt from conscription, which means that female service is purely on a voluntary basis. There are currently 1,000 female personnel in the Azerbaijani military, accounting for 3% of the armed forces. During the Karabakh Conflict, 2,000 of the 74,000 Azerbaijani soldiers were women, and 600 of them directly took part in military operations, with a women's battalion being established in 1992. The enrollment of females in Azerbaijani higher military schools began in 1999. According to soldier Tehrana Bahruzi in her book, “Zakir Hasanov: the Ideal Minister", Defence Minister Zakir Hasanov was responsible for launching the first female unit in the Special Forces of Azerbaijan. In October 2020, the first female military casualty was reported, a combat medic who died while taking wounded soldiers from the battlefield. Personnel medals and awards Medal "For Bravery" Medal "For Fatherland" Medal "For Faultless Service" Medal "For blameless service" Medal "For distinction in military service" Medal "For distinction in the border" Medal "For merit in military collaboration" Medal "For military merit" Veteran of the Armed Forces Medal Brave Warrior Medal For Distinction in Battle Medal For Heroism Medal For military services medal Herbi Xidmlete Gore Medal Anniversary medals "10th Anniversary of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan (1991–2001)" Medal "90th Anniversary of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan (1918–2008)" Medal "95th Anniversary of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan (1918–2013)" Medal Azerbaijani Army 100th anniversary medal Battle/war awards Hero of the Patriotic War Hero of the Patriotic War Medal Participant of the Patriotic War Medal For Services in the Rear in the Patriotic War Medal For the Liberation of Aghdam Medal For the Liberation of Fuzuli Medal For the Liberation of Gubadly Medal For the Liberation of Jabrayil Medal For the Liberation of Kalbajar Medal For the Liberation of Khojavend Medal For the Liberation of Lachin Medal For the Liberation of Shusha Medal For the Liberation of Sugovushan Medal For the Liberation of Zangilan Medal Today 'National Hero of Azerbaijan' is the highest national title in the country, awarded for outstanding services of national importance to Azerbaijan in defense, as well as other deeds in other spheres. Traditions and military institutions Military oath The military oath () is taken by conscripts as a legal basis of the beginning of their military service. The oath is administered