Reservist Breaks Barrier as First Female Army Reserve Completes Parachute Regiment Test

Lance Corporal Grace Cussons made history as the first female Army reservist to pass the grueling Parachute Regiment entry test. The 28-year-old office worker, who serves in the Honourable Artillery Company, completed the challenging all-arms pre-parachute selection alongside her busy corporate job.

Cussons, a senior commercial strategy manager for Procter & Gamble, juggled eight training sessions a week with her demanding role. She had to pass on her second attempt after failing her first try earlier in the year.

The Parachute Regiment's entry test includes a 10-mile march carrying a 16kg rucksack in under two hours, log and stretcher races, an aerial confidence course, and a 60-second boxing match known as 'milling.' Only a few regular servicewomen have succeeded at this arduous challenge.