Female Soldier Served With Royal Marines

Her name is Amy Thomas and she served with the Royal Marine Commandos in the Helmand Province during her tour in Afghanistan.  She was with the Marines to gather evidence of terrorism and to deal with female suspects.   While serving with them, she even engaged in a firefight:

She said: 'As soon as we left the helicopters the company came under fire and then it was non-stop.'There were loads of Taliban in the area. I identified one of them running with a weapon and indicated him to the lads. 'They didn’t see him so I took the shot. I don’t know whether I hit or killed him. It was the only time I opened fire on the Taliban.'
....
But when the Taliban struck, her training kicked in. She told the Sun: 'I just got on with it because you have to.'

Amy, from Port Talbot, South Wales, completed a six-month tour of Afghanistan on Saturday and was the only woman to have fought alongside the Marines. It is unprecedented for women to be in combat as they are not permitted to join either Marines or infantry regiments.

'At first I thought I wouldn’t be able to because I’m quite a girlie girl but once I was out, the training kicked in. 'The Marines did not treat me any differently as a girl and I felt like one of the lads when I was out with them.'

Good on the Commandos for treating the lady right!  It doesn't surprise me, though, as I know my husband would have been very supportive and respectful.  They are awesome guys!

On another note, the title of the Daily Mail article linked above is ridiculous. Female Soldier Becomes First British Women to Fire in Anger at the Taliban. Amy Thomas did not fire in ANGER, she fired because the Taliban were trying to kill her and her guys.  Come on people.

-- UPDATE -- 5/11/09 --

So, my last paragraph is a bit... yeah it's all wrong!  Yikes.  I thought the title meant in anger, as in... in anger.  But, as James from the comments points out it actually means in combat.  His quote:  "It means on operations rather than exercise. You would be more likely to describe a gun or ship's guns though eg. "The first time that HMS Nonesuch fired it's guns in anger." 
I should have asked Royal first because even he knew it wasn't what I thought it meant. 
Thanks James!

Comments

[Pat]

i watched the ceremony of the Brits leaving Iraq and the roll call of the men and women who gave their lives and the photographs really brought it home. such great young men and women.

[James]

You are not familar with the expression? Perhaps "in anger" isn't used in American Englis?

It means on operations rather than exercise. You would be more likely to describe a gun or ship's guns though eg. "The first time that HMS Nonesuch fired it's guns in anger."

[Kath]

Hey James!

Nope, I've never heard that! But you know what, just spoke with Royal and he said the same as you - yikes. Really appreciate your leaving a comment - and a nice one - about it.