The Dutch army will be sending women to the front line as foot soldiers for the first time in 2008 when it despatches the recently formed 45th infantry battalion to Uruzgan. Corporal Suzanne Koudijs (21), who passes out later today, is the first woman to join the battalion and the first to receive a sharp-shooter brevet, reports Monday’s Volkskrant.

Women soliders are already involved with reconstruction teams and working as drivers or gunners. There are also female F-16 pilots, cavalry scouts and platoon commanders. But this is the first time women have been part of the infantry, which is essential in taking and holding ground.