From the BBC report...
since joining the RAF as an aircraftswoman aged 17.
...although admittedly they made the usual mistake of inserting a superflous 's' into the name of the rank. Seem to recall my rank was AC when I was at OCTU.
Never made AVM though
(And with the greatest of respect both to the lady herself and her husband - she's a bit of a looker, too. Navs marry all the prettiest girls
)