Women could be allowed to join Royal Marines 'after physical tests'

More 1,350 have reportedly enquired about joining and 20 have begun selection process

Queen Elizabeth II meets Capt. Philippa Tattersall, the first woman Army Commando on the lawn of Balmoral castle, Scotland. (PA Archive/PA Images)

Women are undergoing gruelling “gender-free” physical selection tests which could see them begin training to become Royal Marines for the first ever time, it has been reported.

It comes two years after former prime minister David Cameron announced that the ban on women serving in “ground close” combat roles would end.

The decision to lift the ban saw the UK join Israel, Australia, the United States and others as countries which allow women to serve on the front line.

A Royal Navy spokesman said there had “already been early interest from female recruits”.

“Last year a number of female recruits who had expressed an interest visited CTC Lympstone for a familiarisation visit,” he added.

More than 1,350 females have enquired about joining, and 20 have gone on to begin the selection process, The Sunday Times reports.

The newspaper said it understands they are undergoing preliminary testing, which involves an interview and two one-and-a-half mile timed treadmill runs.

If they complete this process satisfactorily they will be offered the chance to begin the Royal Marines’ 32-week training course at Lympstone Commando Training Centre (CTC) in Devon early next year.

Existing servicewomen have already been allowed to undergo a nine-week commando course, with two – Major Philippa Tattersall of the Adjutant General’s Corps, and a naval officer – passing and being awarded with the coveted green beret.

To achieve the coveted green beret, recruits must complete a nine-mile speed march in 90 minutes, and a six-mile endurance course in under 73 minutes, and 71 minutes for officers.

An aerial assault course must also be finished in under 13 minutes, and 12 minutes for officers, as well as a 30-mile march across Dartmoor while carrying equipment and a rifle in eight hours, and seven for officers.

The Sunday Times reports that women have been told they must meet the same physical standards as men, and will sleep in the same dormitories to protect “troop cohesion”.

However, female recruits will have separate toilets and showers with lockable doors.

The move to relax the rules came in July 2016 after extensive research, and a recommendation from the then-head of the British Army, General Sir Nick Carter

At the time, the Ministry of Defence said it would adopt a phased approach, starting with the Royal Armoured Corps, which would then be followed by the infantry, the Royal Marines and the RAF Regiment.