All roles in the British Army, including Royal Marines and SAS, open to women

All roles in the British Armed Forces, including the Royal Marines and Special Forces Special Air Service, known as SAS, are now open to women, Defense Secretary Gavin said Thursday. Williamson.

Starting Thursday, women in the British Armed Forces can begin to fill infantry positions and potential new recruits can apply for positions in December.

Women may also begin to apply to join the Royal Marines and some may begin the screening process, which will begin early next year. If they succeed in their selection, they can take the commando course at Lympstone, says a press release.

The opening of the Royal Marines elite and the infantry also opens a path for women wishing to join the ranks of the UK special forces, the SAS.

"Women have led the way with exemplary service in the military for over 100 years, occupying a variety of specialized and vital roles," said Williamson in a press release. "I am so glad that from today, for the first time in our history, our armed forces are determined by their ability alone and not by their gender."

The UK is pushing the integration of gender issues in combat arms since 2016, when it lifted the ban on women from holding combat jobs.

In November 2016, the Royal Armored Corps was the first battleground to allow women to join its ranks. The Royal Marines are the last group of the Royal Navy to accept women, according to a press release.

"The Royal Marines have commended the opportunity for women to play close combat roles on the ground and I am proud that we can now accept women in our Royal Marines training courses next year," Maj. Royal Marines General Commander, said in a press release.

The women have already served in supportive roles that have helped the Royal Marines, this is the first time they can join the ranks in a combat function.

"We recognize people's abilities, not their gender, so anyone with the skills to be a commando is welcome in the Royal Marines," Strickland said in a press release.

"There will be absolutely no change in the standards of the Commando, the training will be the same for men and women, so I strongly encourage interested men and women to try their luck; it's just a state of mind, "he added.