It's an interview feature, rather than a piece of standard news writing.
It's a bit over the top admittedly, but imagine how painfully boring the story would be if it was reported as unbiased fact. They have to sell papers and a bit of licence certainly helps. It's not 'reporting', as such.
Besides - it makes her job sound sexy and exciting. It might inspire people to follow in her footsteps.
That feature beats the **** out of a lot of the HM Forces recruiting copy I've seen recently. Maybe they should look and learn.