Lt-Col Lucy Giles becomes first woman commander appointed to lead at Sandhurst

'It’s interesting to see people’s reactions in this traditionally male environment'

Lt-Col Lucy Giles has served in Iraq and Afghanistan (MOD)

A woman is to take command of a college at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst for the first time in its history.

Lt-Col Lucy Giles, who will take command of New College, admitted it was “interesting” to witness the reactions of others in what she described as a “traditionally male environment”. And she said she could be seen as a “role model” for other female officers in the forces.

A survey in 2014 found nearly a quarter of women in the armed forces had been sexually harassed during the last three years. And, this year, Brigadier Nicky Moffat, previously the highest-ranking woman in the Army, said the military should “redouble” its efforts to stop sexual harassment. Lt-Col Giles told BBC News that she had to “pinch myself really” after her appointment to the prestigious job at the RMA, which is actually closer to Camberley in Surrey than Sandhurst, Berkshire.

“It’s an enormous privilege to be in this unique position,” she said. “It’s interesting to see people’s reactions in this traditionally male environment. I like to think I was boarded for this appointment because I had the right key skills, knowledge, and experience to be able to do this effectively, as opposed to me being here because I’m female. Although, I recognise that being in this position means I may come across as a role model for our future female officers.”

Other staff at the academy would be urged to try to “make time for their families”, she said. “I’m a mother and wife of a soldier, so I am bound by juggling those domestic considerations as well as delivering a day job, so to speak.”

The 46-year-old, from Wincanton, Somerset, has been in the Army for 24 years, commanding soldiers in places such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Sierra Leone, East Timor and Northern Ireland.

At New College, she will be in charge of training young cadets for duty as officers in their regiments. She will be ultimately responsible for Sandhurst’s academic courses and physical training. The “commissioning course” for regular Army officers is 48 weeks, including breaks, and is described as “mentally and physically demanding”.