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Army to review female close combat roles Army to review female close combat roles
(35 minutes later)
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.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 head of the Army Sir Peter Wall would 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.
Mr Hammond said he wanted to send a signal that the military is open "to all who can meet the... standards."Mr Hammond said he wanted to send a signal that the military is open "to all who can meet the... standards."
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", the "last bastion of male chauvinism. The reality is very different".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 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.
Major Judith Webb, who retired from the Army in 1986, is opposed to women being allowed to take close combat roles.
"We have to accept that we are different physiologically," she said.
"We don't have the same upper-body strength."
Maj Webb said it was "nonsense" to suggest there could be less-demanding tests for women entering combat roles, and reducing standards "across the board" would reduce the effectiveness of the Army.
She said the "occasional woman" might meet standards for male soldiers, but said that would lead to calls for more women to follow - which could result in standards being lowered to promote equality.
Women had proved themselves in a variety of roles and there should be more women in senior ranks, she added.
Female submariners
There are almost 16,000 women serving in the combined services, 9.9% of all personnel, according to the latest statistics.There are almost 16,000 women serving in the combined services, 9.9% of all personnel, according to the latest statistics.
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.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,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".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.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 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 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'.