In a discussion on the changing role of women in the armed forces, Colonel Akriti Sharma, the first woman officer from J&K to be a Commanding Officer in an operational area, stated that the narrative has shifted from 'who can and what ifs to... yes, I can and I will'. She emphasised that leadership is defined by presence in adversity and service. Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, a helicopter pilot with the Indian Air Force, recounted a high-stakes rescue mission in Arunachal Pradesh. The interview also highlighted the current statistics of women in the forces: 13.69 in the Air Force, 6 in the Navy, and 3.97 in the Army, excluding medical branches. Both officers, who are also engineers, shared their journeys and offered advice to young aspirants, underscoring that courage, commitment, and self-belief are paramount for a career in the Indian armed forces.