A FEMALE soldier who trained at Dering Lines is set to become the first woman to command infantry troops.

Last year, all Army roles, including those in combat units and the Special Forces, were opened up to women, provided they can pass the selection tests required of the roles.

The soldier, who has not been named for security reasons, is the first woman to have passed the Section Commanders Battle Course in Brecon. This course is one of the toughest in Britain, and it is used to select the best Junior Non-Commissioned Officers to command infantry troops.

Having successfully completed the course, she is now qualified to command up to eight infantry soldiers, meaning she will be the first woman in Britain to do so.

Soldiers must be able to complete an eight-mile march within two hours, carrying 25kg worth of equipment, in order to even enter the course.

The course consists of several physical tests, as well as leadership and tactical elements. Some of the key physical tests include completing a two-mile run in 18 minutes, a three-mile run in 33 minutes, and a five-mile run in 55 minutes, all whilst carrying 20kg of extra weight.

This comes following reports earlier this year that a woman had not been allowed to continue the course after failing to pass the eight-mile long march. Reports said that Cpl Dougherty, the only woman on the course at the time, in January this year, was going to be kept on alongside 14 other men, despite having failed this element.

Soldiers accused commanders at the Infantry School in Brecon of lowering standards to suit women, with one soldier telling the Daily Mail that this was a case of “positive discrimination”.

However, this decision was then reversed over fears of a backlash.