No female soldier had passed this gruelling, three-week Army course – until now

A private has made history as the first female soldier to pass the Army’s demanding course to prove that personnel have the toughness to serve in the Airborne Forces.

The intense three-and-a-half-week program is designed to examine physical and mental robustness.

Private Addy Carter, 21, from Hereford, said it was all “about showing that you can deliver when things get hard” after she became the first female enlisted soldier to pass the gruelling Parachute Regiment’s P Company course.

Pte Carter, of 16 Medical Regiment, was presented with a coveted maroon beret this week after completing All Arms Pre Parachute Selection (AAPPS) – known as P Company.

She serves as a combat medical technician with 16 Medical Regiment, which provides medical support to 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team, the British Army’s global response force that is specially trained and equipped to deploy by parachute, helicopter and air landing.

In her role, she would deploy as a medic working alongside soldiers from the Parachute Regiment.

She follows in the footsteps of Captain Rosie Wild, of 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, who was the first female officer to pass the AAPPS in 2020.

The next stage for Pte Carter is the Basic Parachute Course at RAF Brize Norton, where she could earn her “wings” as a trained military parachutist.

Major Chris Braithwaite, officer commanding Pegasus Company, said: “[The course] is designed to test an individual’s physical fitness, determination and mental robustness under stress, to ensure they have the self-discipline and motivation for service in Airborne Forces.

“There is a set standard that anyone who attempts the course must achieve and these are rigidly enforced by my team – of 98 candidates who started this course, 59 were successful.

“I hope that Private Carter’s success on All Arms Pre-Parachute Selection encourages others to attempt the course. I would like to congratulate all who passed and wish them the best for their future service within Airborne Forces.”

Minister for Defence People, Veterans and Service Families, Sarah Atherton, said: “I am immensely proud of Addy and her achievements in passing such a demanding course.

“She has set a high standard for all our serving personnel and is a role model for women to aspire to, proving that no job is beyond reach.

“This is a clear example of what can be accomplished through hard work and determination. I wish her all the best in her future endeavours with the Army.”