The private became the first female soldier to complete the Army’s demanding course to prove that the personnel have the toughness to serve in the Airborne Forces.
Combat Technician Addie Carter, 21, said it was all “about showing you can help when the going gets tough” after she became the first female soldier to complete the grueling P Company Parachute Regiment course .
The three-and-a-half-week course in Catterick, North Yorkshire, is designed to test physical and mental endurance and culminates in a series of challenging challenges including pack marches, log and stretcher races and an aerial confidence course.
Pty Carter of the 16th Medical Regiment received his coveted beret this week after completing Parachute Advance Selection (AAPPS) – known as P Company.
This means she is now following in the footsteps of Captain Rosie Wilde of the 7th Parachute Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery, who was the first female officer to pass AAPPS in 2020.
Pty Carter is a combat medical technician with 16 Medical Regiment, providing medical support to 16 Airborne Brigade Combat Team, the British Army’s global response force, specially trained and equipped for parachute, helicopter and airborne deployments.
In her role, she will work as a medic alongside the soldiers of the Parachute Regiment.
The next step for Petit Carter is a basic parachuting course at RAF Brize Norton, where she could earn her ‘wings’ as a trained military parachutist.
Major Chris Braithwaite, Officer Commanding Pegasus Company, said: “Rota Pegasus is designed to test an individual’s physical fitness, determination and mental resilience under stress to ensure they have the self-discipline and motivation to serve in the Air Force.
“There is a certain standard that anyone attempting the course must achieve and these are strictly enforced by my team – of the 98 candidates who started the course, 59 were successful.
“I hope Private Carter’s success at the All Arms Pre-Parachuset Selection will encourage others to try the course. I would like to congratulate all those who passed the course and wish them all the best in their future service in the Airborne Forces.’
Ms Atherton said of Patty Carter: “She has set high standards for all our service staff and is a role model that women strive to aspire to, proving that no job is out of reach.
“She is a shining example of what hard work and determination can achieve. I wish her all the best in her future endeavors in the Army.”
https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/23071397.private-addy-carter-16-medical-regiment-wins-paras-maroon-beret-catterick/?ref=rss
