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Army to review female close combat roles Army to review female close combat roles
(35 minutes later)
A review of the possibility of women soldiers taking "close combat" roles in the Army has been brought forward, the government has announced. Women soldiers could soon be allowed to serve in front line combat roles in the Army after a review due to take place in 2018 was brought forward.
Currently women can serve on the front line but not where the primary aim is to "close with and kill the enemy". Currently women can serve on the front line, but not where the primary aim is to "close with and kill the enemy".
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said the review had been brought forward, with head of the Army now due to report back by the end of the year. Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said head of the Army Sir Peter Wall would report back by the end of the year.
The rules were due to be reviewed in 2018, the Ministry of Defence said. Mr Hammond said he wanted to send a signal that the military is open "to all who can meet the... standards."
Announcing the review - which will be carried out by Chief of the General Staff Sir Peter Wall - Mr Hammond said he wanted to send a signal that the military is open" to all who can meet the necessary standards" to carry out demanding roles.
Currently women are not permitted to serve in the infantry or armoured corps where they could be involved in close combat.Currently women are not permitted to serve in the infantry or armoured corps where they could be involved in close combat.
Mr Hammond said the armed forces still had a "macho image" and said that although the reality is very different he wanted to send a signal that the army is open to all who can meet the required standards. Mr Hammond said the armed forces still had a "macho image", the "last bastion of male chauvinism. The reality is very different".
"I think that at a time when the Americans, the Australians, the Canadians, even the French - the Israelis of course for years - have women in their combat arms this is something we have to look at again," he said. "I think that at a time when the Americans, the Australians, the Canadians, even the French - the Israelis of course for years - have women in their combat arms, this is something we have to look at again," he said.
"Not because there are thousands of women desperate to join the combat arms, but because the message that the Army is not fully open to women who can meet the fitness and other requirements - the message that sends to women who might be looking to join other parts of our military. ""Not because there are thousands of women desperate to join the combat arms, but because the message that the Army is not fully open to women who can meet the fitness and other requirements - the message that sends to women who might be looking to join other parts of our military. "
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said the "vast majority of roles in the armed forces" were already open to women and added that the "review will look at whether females can serve in combat roles, such as in the infantry or the Royal Armoured Corps in the Army".A Ministry of Defence spokesman said the "vast majority of roles in the armed forces" were already open to women and added that the "review will look at whether females can serve in combat roles, such as in the infantry or the Royal Armoured Corps in the Army".
BBC defence correspondent, Jonathan Beale, said government sources had told him that Mr Hammond's announcement had brought forward the review on women in combat and had stressed it was not a change of policy. BBC defence correspondent, Jonathan Beale, said government sources had stressed it was not a change of policy.
The Ministry of Defence is required under European law to review its policy every eight years.The Ministry of Defence is required under European law to review its policy every eight years.
The last review in 2010 raised concerns that having men and women in small units for months at a time could undermine "team cohesion". There are almost 16,000 women serving in the combined services, 9.9% of all personnel, according to the latest statistics.
Changes to the armed forces in 2010 meant women were able to take on the role as clearance divers, while in December 2011, it was announced that women would be able to serve on submarines. The Army has more than 8,000 serving women, 8.7% of the total force, with almost 12% of officer ranks filled by female personnel.
By comparison, women make up 9% of the Royal Navy and 13.8% of the Royal Air Force,
The last review of women in the Army, which was completed in 2010, raised concerns that having men and women in small units for months at a time could undermine "team cohesion".
Changes to the armed forces, also in 2010, meant women were able to take on the role as clearance divers, while in December 2011, it was announced that women would be able to serve on submarines.
Last week, three women became the first female submariners in the 110-year history of the Submarine Service.Last week, three women became the first female submariners in the 110-year history of the Submarine Service.
The review has been welcomed by Labour's shadow defence secretary, Vernon Coaker, who said the UK "should be proud of the role played by women in our armed forces". The latest review has been welcomed by Labour's shadow defence secretary, Vernon Coaker, who said the UK "should be proud of the role played by women in our armed forces".
"The armed forces should give the same opportunities to women as it does to men and this move will hopefully ensure that becomes the case," he said."The armed forces should give the same opportunities to women as it does to men and this move will hopefully ensure that becomes the case," he said.
What do you think about women taking "close combat" roles in the UK's armed forces? Are you a woman wanting to serve in the infantry or armoured corps? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk, using the subject line 'Armed forces'.What do you think about women taking "close combat" roles in the UK's armed forces? Are you a woman wanting to serve in the infantry or armoured corps? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk, using the subject line 'Armed forces'.