Captain Pip Tattersall has become the first woman to wear the Royal Marines' green beret. But is this a step too far along the path of political correctness? Or, at the beginning of the 21st Century, is it right and proper that women are allowed to serve their country at the same level as men? Our columnists discuss

ROYAL MARINES NOT FOR 'FILLES'

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dearwhat a grand mess we have got ourselves into again.

By trying to force the square peg of political correctness into the perfectly rounded hole of tradition by allowing a woman to become a Royal Marine, we show our "modern" nation up for what is really is.

Captain Pip Tattersall, who recently scraped through the rigours of the commando test at the third time of asking, is an icon of pure contradiction and incoherence.

This 27-year-old filly should never have even been allowed to try out for the crack outfit.

Least of all because she will not actually be allowed to serve on the front line.

Quite right too, but what on earth is the point in joining such a highly-trained and feared group if you are not going to be able to take part in its full range of "activities"? I think we all know exactly what they entail.

Hand-to-hand combat, often with bayonets firmly fixed, is no place for the fairer sex plain and simple.

It has been proved in tests that when you put women with men in combat situations, the males waste their time looking after the ladies and therefore become ineffective soldiers.

Before I put quill to paper on this issue, I consulted a few of my good lady friends, who all agreed Captain Pip should remain a regular soldier.

I'm sure women have a place in the military but the green berets ain't it.

Mind you, it does lend the phrase "going commando" a rather more appetising bent.

WOMEN WORTHY OF GREEN BERETS

Surely it is up to individuals if they want to fight for this country, and whether they are male or female should make no difference?

The regimental nature of the forces is not for everyone but for many it is something they have always wanted to do so why should there be a negative attitude towards women?

Pip Tattersall's achievement of becoming the first woman to wear the Royal Marine's green beret will be seen by many as something they can strive for and ultimately achieve.

For centuries women have been fighting to become equals to men, in terms of rights, voting and pay, and this goes some way to furthering their cause.

Critics knock the idea of having women in the "military machine" but if they can pass the exams, training and assault courses they have as much right to be there as men.

The only downside of all their efforts is the ruling that they cannot fight on the front line, which is backed-up by the claim they would be a disruptive influence on the team.

It is obvious men would look out for female soldiers but surely they would look out for all their comrades on the battlefield? Maybe the future will herald a change in policy.

Women are striving to success on the front lines of the fire brigade and police so why not the military in the same way?