The Imperial Service Women's Auxiliary was a branch of the Barrayaran Imperial Service specifically designated for women. In earlier years, it primarily engaged in non-combatant roles such as medical staff, military law enforcement (particularly for handling female suspects and criminals), and technicians; however, their size and the roles available to them changed considerably over the course of the Vorkosigan Saga. Thus, by the time of Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen, they were a serious additional military service that could supply people to work directly for people in the main, all-male, service.