For the first time in its history, the British Army has a servicewoman serving at every one of its 18 ranks, from Recruit to Four-Star General.
General Sharon Nesmith DCB ADC Gen and Colonel Lyndsey Kelly chat with female serving members at the Officers’ Mess in Andover.
Chief of the General Staff, General Sir ‘Roly’ Walker, is shown an image of female soldiers of all ranks stood together.
General Sharon Nesmith DCB ADC Gen chats with female service members at the Officers’ Mess in Andover.
Chief of the General Staff, General Sir ‘Roly’ Walker, in conversation with Brigadier Mel Emmett.
To mark the accomplishments of women in the Army and celebrate being the first service within the British Armed Forces to have women represented at every rank, a special breakfast was hosted at Army Headquarters in Andover.
Chief of the General Staff, General Sir ‘Roly’ Walker, in conversation at the International Women's Day event.
A special breakfast at Army Headquarters in Hampshire brought together 18 servicewomen, one from each rank, to mark the milestone ahead of International Women's Day.
The event was attended by General Dame Sharon Nesmith DCB ADC Gen, Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, and General Sir Roly Walker DSO ADC Gen, Chief of the General Staff.
I am immensely proud that, for the first time in our history, the British Army now has a woman serving at every rank. This is a significant milestone – achieved without fanfare, but with profound significance – and one that would not have been possible without the quiet professionalism, determination and commitment to service shown by generations of women.
Lady legends
Brigadier Melissa Emmett MBE, Head of Army Personnel Services Group, gave the opening address. She celebrated the achievement as one of global significance:
“This is not important because it is the first time this has happened in the Army, but it is one of the first times that this happened in the world, so it is important that we mark that success.
“And it’s not just a happy accident of one unique brilliant woman making it through, but lots of women being successful and almost normalising our success, they are all lady legends.”
I like the way that we are celebrating women because it is different now for women in the Army. The future looks so exciting
Facing the future
The achievement strengthens Army capability and reflects the society it defends, with new recruits like Megan Stewart representing a thriving future for women in uniform.
Megan, currently undertaking training in Winchester, attended as a representative of the next generation of servicewomen.
“This is amazing and it is really cool that there is a woman in every rank. I like the way that we are celebrating women because it is different now for women in the Army. The future looks so exciting.”
Not just symbolic
General Walker said:
"I am immensely proud that, for the first time in our history, the British Army now has a woman serving at every rank. This is a significant milestone – achieved without fanfare, but with profound significance – and one that would not have been possible without the quiet professionalism, determination and commitment to service shown by generations of women.
“Many of them faced barriers and prejudice that should never have existed, yet they proved what was possible by doing the job, to the highest standard, in service of the nation. This achievement is not symbolic; it is operational. It strengthens our fighting power and makes the Army more capable, agile, and representative of the society we defend.”
He added:
“A woman in every rank should now be the norm, not the exception. As we mark International Women’s Day, our responsibility is clear: to continue removing barriers and to build an Army where talent can thrive at every level, and where anyone who can serve the nation is able to fulfil their potential."
This is not important because it is the first time this has happened in the Army, but it is one of the first times that this happened in the world, so it is important that we mark that success.
This milestone supports the government's Plan for Change mission to break down barriers to opportunity, ensuring that talent is recognised and rewarded at every level of public life.