Ordinary Women Doing Incredible Things in HM Armed Forces
This International Women’s Day we wanted to show some of the incredible things the female reservists in our Armed Forces do every day.
Lieutenant Claire Rossiter, Assistant Media Officer, Royal Naval Reserve
Lieutenant Claire Rossiter RNR is part of HMS Flying Fox, in Bristol, and is also a member of the Media Operations branch. With a background in corporate communications, marketing and PR, she currently works as a freelance photographer in her civilian career. She worked with the Royal Navy as a civilian photographer, and had been involved with the RN Field Gun Competition for a number of years.
“Working in such a multinational environment is interesting and brings a whole new set of challenges to the table. Media is a diverse role and as a media officer you get to meet loads of different people and end up being involved in all kinds of different projects.
This can be anything from standard press releases, covering foreign VIP visits, to deck hopping from one ship to another in helicopters as part of an exercise. Although languages aren’t essential for the job, being fluent in three languages is a massive asset here, and it has served me well, such as during my recent visit to the French Carrier, Charles de Gaulle.”
Find out more about joining the Royal Naval Reserve here.
Midshipman Michelle Ping, MiD QVRM, Royal Naval Reserve
Midshipman Ping’s early career in the regular Royal Navy was as an Air Engineer Mechanic. On leaving the RN she qualified as a Paramedic.
Around the same time as she was pursuing her Paramedic career, Michelle joined the Air Branch of the Royal Naval Reserve. These paramedic skills were sought by the military for an operational tour in Afghanistan, where her conspicuous courage and bravery on OP HERRICK’s hazardous patrols was rewarded with a Mention in Despatches, followed by the Queen’s Volunteer Reserve Medal. More accolades have followed, including receiving two Sun Military awards for lifesaving medical support, and Woman of the Year awards.
After a challenging year, which saw her commissioned to Midshipman rank at BRNC Dartmouth, she has now completed her Fleet Time in her typically determined and resolute fashion.
Michelle will now begin her Amphibious Warfare Specialist branch training and is looking forward to the next phase of sea training with the Royal Navy on one of the many forthcoming Amphibious exercises.
Reflecting on her career in the Naval Service to date and International Women’s Day she said:
“Being a woman in the military for the last 24 years has been an adventure to say the least!
I have never felt the door of inequality slam in my face and have been made to feel welcome in some of the more male dominated areas. It has been exciting, life changing, hard work and at times difficult, but the camaraderie and friendships you form in a military environment are ones that bond you to others for life, irrespective of gender.”
Find out more about joining the Royal Naval Reserve here.
Lt Aimee Morris, Troop Commander, Army Reserve
27 year old Lt Aimee Morris, from Bristol, is a Royal Signals Troop Commander currently deployed in Kabul as a mentor at the Afghanistan National Army Officers Academy (ANAOA).
“When I found out I had been selected by the Army to do a job in Afghanistan my life changed immeasurably, from teaching teenage girls with netballs to leading Officer Cadets with weapons. The adrenaline of carrying a personal pistol around at all times, wearing heavy body armour and travelling across the city’s skyline in a helicopter was and is intoxicating and daunting at the same time.”
In her civilian life, Aimee is a Secondary School PE teacher. “As a teacher in the UK I have always tried to empower the young women I have worked with to believe they are capable of the anything they work hard toward.”
Find out more about joining the Army Reserve here.
LCpl Annie Purcell, 7 Military Intelligence Battalion, Army Reserve
40 year old LCpl Annie Purcell, a teacher from South Wales, is currently serving with 7 Military Intelligence Battalion in Afghanistan.
She said: “Inspired by a Reservist colleague who had recently returned from Herrick 15 I completed an application to join the Army Reserves. An unusual thing for a 40 year old female to do but certainly not a mid-life crisis — there are far more straight forward ways to have one of those!
“I believe my existing teaching skills and resilience have got me to this point in the Army. A Military Intelligence reservist has to be able to brief well to an audience, analyse data, make assessments, write reports and have a “plan B” when the unexpected happens. Teaching is exactly the same albeit with a different clientele!
When I first told my pupils I was in the Army Reserves they were not surprised — I have a reputation for discipline and work with the most challenging pupils who respond better to a more regimented style.”
“For me the crossover between being a Military Intelligence Reservist and Teacher occurs when I am able to engage pupils in world and current affairs, getting them to understand that the Army isn’t all about Call of Duty!
Prior to my deployment their interest was stimulated by what I would be doing in a country they recognised as being plagued by conflict which lead to discussions on the refugee crisis, terrorism, extremism, politics and war. For me this is modern education — engaging pupils in issues which influence their generation and not restricting them with curriculums dictated by exam boards.”
Find out more about joining the Army Reserve here.
Flying Officer Lisa Page, Medical Support Officer, RAF Reserves
“I joined the RAF Reserves when I saw an advert in the Biomedical Scientist journal stating ‘Biomedical Scientists (BMS’s) — What are you doing with your weekend?’ This intrigued me as I was not aware that the military required BMS’s. The military training was a great personal challenge.
“The RAF Reserves have given me once in a lifetime opportunities and challenges”
Developing as a Junior Officer I have a lot to learn but as a reserve the leadership training in the RAF has greatly assisted development within my NHS role and enabled me to be much more proficient within it. I really enjoy the camaraderie of the Sqn and the sense of pride being part of the RAF Reserves.
The RAF Reserves have given me once in a lifetime opportunities and challenges to see parts of the world I had only dreamt of, including Nordic skiing in Germany, winter survival expedition in Norway, trekking over the Tongariro Crossing, in New Zealand and through the Himalayan peaks to Everest Base Camp.”
Find out more about the RAF Reserves here.
Flt Lt Claire Dimmock, Intelligence Officer, RAF Reserves
“I joined the RAF Reserves in 2003 and have been lucky enough to travel all over the world on various exercises and adventurous training expeditions, take part in high-profile ceremonial duties and represent the RAF in a sporting capacity.
In addition, I have deployed on operational tours to Afghanistan, the Middle East and am also shortly due to fly out to the Falklands to complete a 6 month tour there.
I am a firearms officer in the Metropolitan Police and being a reservist has not only provided opportunities and experiences I would not have otherwise had, but has provided key transferable skills in areas such as leadership, analysis and briefing, which have also been of great benefit to my civilian career.”
Find out more about the RAF Reserves here.
