Create a free starter account, or log in.

Get access to four free articles per month, as well as our Decisive Edge Newsletters and Daily News Bulletin.

Email Address

Password

Forgot your password? Reset by clicking here

Create a Password

[[ req.met ? '✓' : '•' ]] [[ req.text ]]

Re-enter Password

Passwords do not match

First Name

Last Name

Country

Confirm your account

Please enter the four-digit pin below that has been emailed to you.

Didn't receive the pin yet?

This pin expires in 20 minutes.

[[ error ]]

By creating an account, you agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Stay informed with Shephard's award-winning journalism. Unlock unlimited access and in-depth analysis with a corporate or individual subscription.

Explore your options here

Gender gap closed for UK special forces

26th October 2018 - 12:00 GMT | by Andrew White in London

RSS

Women are now eligible to attempt the UK’s Joint Selection course which is designed to identify personnel suitable for service with the Special Air Service (SAS) and Special Boat Service (SBS).

The policy change, announced by defense secretary Gavin Williamson on 25th October, opens up all ‘combat roles’ within the UK Armed Forces to women and clears the final obstacle obstructing women from serving within every force component of UK Special Forces (UKSF).

To date, women have served as ‘badged’ operators within UKSF’s Special Reconnaissance Regiment but this latest decision will allow them to serve within or alongside the Sabre

Already have an account? Log in

Want to keep reading this article?

Author

Andrew White

Twitter

Andrew is a former editor of Digital Battlespace and Unmanned Vehicles magazines. Andrew joined Shephard …

Read full bio

More from Special Operations

Why artificial intelligence has secured its place in special forces' operations

The diverse use cases of Artificial Intelligence (AI) have been turning it into a critical tool for Special Operations Forces (SOF).
Polaris unveils new military snowmobile for Arctic SOF operations

Polaris Government and Defense has launched the Military 850 TITAN 155 snowmobile ahead of SOF Week 2025. Designed for immediate deployment in cold-weather environments, the platform will enter trials with special operations forces by year-end, targeting NATO’s northern and eastern European members.
Canadian light and beacon solutions promise to improve safety for SOF teams

Solutions supplied by Adventure Tactical currently equip military and law enforcement forces of 24 countries.
SOF Week 2025: Global threats and industry opportunities in focus (video)

At SOF Week 2025 in Tampa, Florida, Stu Bradin, President and CEO of the Global SOF Foundation (GSOF), underscored the increasing operational demands placed on special operations forces (SOF) as global tensions mount.
Japan to set up DARPA-style institute to tackle evolving threat of cyber warfare

Japan’s Ministry of Defense is devoting government-level effort and funding to tackling the growing problem of cyber warfare.
Eurosatory day four: Images from across the show

All the best images from the penultimate day of Eurosatory 2024 which brought the security industry into sharper focus for attendees to the Parc des Expositions de Villepinte.