First woman to join Paras

[BiologyIsReal]

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51553815

A sign of our times that I had to read the story all the way down to checik whether this was really a woman.....

[Pirrip]

Well done, Capt Rosie Wild. Awesome achievement!

[TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross]

She's not joining the Paras though, although the article didn't make clear why. Such an amazing achievement to earn her maroon beret that I felt a bit deflated when I realised she wouldn't be joining the regiment.

[DodoPatrol]

I’ve just read what they have to do to qualify. Wow.

‘Also a competitive triathlete’ - surely she could add a few more sports in there in her spare time?

(And like many people at the peak of fitness, she’s genuinely stunning as well.)

[Lordfrontpaw]

Is she really? Well that’s a thing! (Proud aunt brag - my niece was top of her intake of fire fighters and did the same physical challenges as the men).

[ByGrabtharsHammerWhatASavings]

First woman to pass since it became open to women 30 years ago apparently!

[zanahoria]

" Marching 20 miles (32km) with a backpack and rifle, within four hours and 10 minutes"

a tough call without the backpack and rifle

[MorrisZapp]

'Captain Rosie Wild' - Dickens himself couldn't come up with a more inspiring or evocative name. Love it! And she's only 28. Christ.

[Gibbonsgibbonsgibbons]

The boxing thing basically sounds like take a beating can’t defend or block
So delighted she’s a woman - well done Rosie!

[MorbidMuch]

Wow! What an inspiring woman. She must be incredible to overcome the height disadvantage she has on some of those team challenges.

Is it men who she is boxing too?

[Callmejudith]

Fantastic!

[Aesopfable]

And she's only 28

That is pretty much your peak physically.

Amazing achievement

[NiceLegsShameAboutTheFace]

Fantastic. I am genuinely in awe. You are amazing, Captain Rosie Wild

[CaveMum]

Well done Capt Rosie!

The people that take these selection tests are are as nails, as well as nuts! My BIL passed out as a Royal Marine on the third (and final) attempt having suffered hairline fractures on his first attempt and hypothermia on his second.

[Mockersisrightasusual]

Plenty of women in the Parachute Regiment. They are Quartermasters, Adjutants and Medical Officers. One famous documentary on P Company showed a fearsome Trunchbull of an M.O. who wielded an officers cain to smack any recruit who presented improperly when she asked them to cough.

[Catting]

I mentally finished your opening post with 'the first woman in the paras "is a man"' such is the state of things nowadays.

[GrumpyGran8]

A sign of our times that I had to read the story all the way down to checik whether this was really a woman.....
I had to check the photograph, to see that she was clearly shorter and more lightly built than the men around her.
Women are being erased....

[DodoPatrol]

I would be genuinely impressed by a transwoman who got through that selection test too -- as long as she didn't claim to be the 'first woman' to do so.

[CuriousaboutSamphire]

Funny isn't it? Fully expected that top be a transwoman but a split second's look at a photograph and we know... we really do know... Capt Rosie is an actual becunted woman!

Still pissed off that my first thought wasn't congratulatory. STOP FUCKING STEALING MY LIFE!!!!

[PeterPomegranate]

What an achievement! She must be well hard (and I mean that as a compliment).

[FrogsFrogs]

"I would be genuinely impressed by a transwoman who got through that selection test too -- as long as she didn't claim to be the 'first woman' to do so."

Remember Chloe? www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/transgender-soldier-british-army-serve-frontline-scots-guards-chloe-allen-a7312751.html