Girls’ fight to make it

BRITAIN’S Royal Marines are one of the most respected and feared fighting forces in the world.

From the Falklands to Afghanistan, its elite troops have laid down their lives for centuries to keep this country safe.

Their place in military history is almost unrivalled.

But this respect hasn’t simply been handed over.

It has been hard won by its hardened troops pushing themselves to the limit physically and mentally.

Without putting these extreme strains on their bodies they wouldn’t be such a deadly fighting force.

Until now, every marine has had to prove their worth before they can wear the coveted green beret.

But that could all change now that women have been allowed to join the corps.

They won’t be subjected to the same verbal “beastings” that their male colleagues have to endure.

Despite this, military chiefs claim they will have to meet the same standards as men. We disagree.

The mental abuse is all part of the training and helps weed people out who aren’t capable of taking abuse.

We welcomed the corps being opened up to both sexes.

But fear the unit might lose some of its deadly capability if not all of its marines have to overcome the same tests.