All forces positions now open to women

Emma fainted at birth memories

All roles in the military are now open to women, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has announced.

The historic day was marked at a land power demonstration on Salisbury Plain, involving some of the first women to join the Royal Armoured Corps.

Mr Williamson announced that women already serving in the Army are able to transfer into infantry roles, including the Special Forces. Those not currently serving will be able to apply for infantry roles in December, with new recruits starting basic training in April.

The defence secretary also confirmed women are now able to apply join the Royal Marines, with selection starting before the end of this year.

Mr Williamson said: “Women have led the way with exemplary service in the armed forces for over 100 years.

“So I am delighted that from today, for the first time in its history, our armed forces will be determined by ability alone and not gender.

“Opening all combat roles to women will not only make the armed forces a more modern employer but will ensure we recruit the right person for the right role.”

While women have for many years given exemplary service, including in combat-facing roles, females were unable to serve in ground close combat roles until the ban was lifted in 2016. Emma Willis has said she fainted while filming her new programme, Delivering Babies, after seeing a post-birth surgery brought back painful memories.

The Celebrity Big Brother presenter trained for three months at Harlow Hospital as a Maternity Care Assistant. She said watching a post-birth repair op brought back painful memories of giving birth to her first child in 2009, causing her to faint.

Gavin Williamson talks to Tank Gunner reservist Lance Corporal Cat Dixon, 28