It is a shame there are no women on the programme in series 3. I know it is a show. I know it lasts only 8 days, but there is no reason to think the real deal does not pose similar physical and mental challenges.

The biggest difference is where the real SAS recruits come from compared with the gym bunnies on the show.

pr00ne,

The course as it stands was set to meet a minimum standard, not to exclude female applicants. Either way, if it highlights a difference in achievable standards which are so stark then the answer is meet those standards. Defenders of placing women in traditional male roles have always made the point that standards will never be lowered. Some misogynists were sceptical, like the typical dumb b******s they are!

FB

One-size-fits all is the essential point of that particular 'compo' case.

When buying in bulk there is a significant cost saving (contracts, spares, maintenance) by providing only one handgun. To wit, we now have only 2 frontline RAF FJ types, as opposed to approx 10 in the early '90s.

If we dished out guns depending on body size/shape, then why don't all WAAFs carry dainty SMGs? No. They qualify on the L85A2 like the men do.

Also, if those female coppers carrying a different gun to the men run out of rounds when under sustained fire, will they be able to share rounds with male AFOs? (qenuine question for those in the know...)

To answer the above two posts:

is the standard the standard just because it's always been the standard, or because it's actually the level of work required?

when has a UK AFO ever run out of rounds? If the answer is never, why are you even considering it as a policy driver? If they have, different size guns can use the same rounds. My wife didn't carry an SA80 on ops, but instead was issued a SA80 carbine as it was safer and more effective for her (and those around her).

On the subject of weapons for people-formerly-known-as-WRAFs, on one ODT session we arrived at the range for SLP playtime with the genial Stn Rocks just as a remedial p-f-k-a-WRAF session was ending. The instructor briefed the problem of 'ride-up' when firing the SMG on 'auto', then "Target to your front, rapid fire, in your own time, go on" (or whatever).

Dadadadada....and one dainty little lass had managed to put every round right through the figure 11 target - in the nuts.

"Remind me never to upset you!" was all the instructor said, as he retrieved the shredded remains of the target, whilst the shooter blushed and giggled.