In the 1980's women started to play an increasingly vital role within the armed forces. In the field they wore the same uniform as there male counterparts, were trained the same and were by 1982 armed the same . They also had the same chance at promotion.  There were two branches within the British Army that allowed women to serve; these being the WRAC and QARANC. 

The Women's Royal Army Corps (WRAC)

Uniforms of the WRAC
© MOD

WRAC service women carried out there basic training at the Guildford, Surrey. Once basic training is completed they then carry out their training with the regular units along side their male counterparts. Once qualified they are then posted to their respected army unit. The main difference is that a WRAC could not be placed in a War time role as they were not allowed to partake in frontline duties. 

WRAC Dress Regulations:

No.1 Dress (W1):

• Forage Cap, dark green

• Shirt, white with tab tie

• Gloves, black leather (white on ceremonial occasions)

• Shoes, black leather, flat heel, laced, or court shoes

• Jacket, dark green barathea

• Skirt, dark green barathea

• Hosiery in the authorised shade

This order of dress is authorized for wear by:

• Brigadiers and above

• Directors of music

• The WRAC staff band

• WRAC provost

• Household staffs C-in-C/GOCs

• Instructors at RMAS

• Specific WRAC Drivers

No.2 Dress (W2):

• Jacket, lovat green

• Skirt, lovat green

• shirt, white with tab tie

• Forage cap, dark green or beret, dark green, at CO's discretion inside the barrack area

• Gloves, leather black

• Hosiery in the authorized shade

• Shoes, black leather, flat heeled, or court shoes

• Greatcoat or raincoat

Tropical Dress (W6):

• Beige dress with corps buttons

• Metal badges of rank - Berlin/BAOR/SHAPE

• White cloth badges of rank - Tropical stations

• Shoes court, white or beige, or sandals, white or brown - Tropical stations

• Shoes court, black or sandals white - Berlin/BAOR/SHAPE

• Forage cap. dark green or beret, dark green at CO's discretion

• Shoes, flat black, to be worn on parade

• Socks, ankle white, with white sandals, at CO's discretion

Hosiery need not be worn with Tropical Dress unless instructions are issued in connection with a specific occasion.

Working Dress/Combat Dress (W7):

• Jacket, combat

• Trousers, men's, lightweight (Working Dress only)

• Trousers,  Combat

• Shirt, olive drab

• Jersey, woman's, or jersey, heavy wool

• Tie khaki, if wearing jersey, woman's

• Boots DMS, with puttees/Boots, combat high

• Socks, green

• Beret, dark green

• Gloves, combat

• Hoods, combat (Combat Dress only)

• Liner, combat (Combat Dress only)

• Cloth badges of rank

Coverall/Overall clothing (W12):

Protective clothing worn over uniform with beret and boots DMS and puttees or boots, combat high.

Barrack Dress (W13):

• Forage cap, dark green or beret, dark green, at CO's discretion

• Skirt, barrack dress, lovat green

• Shirt, white with tab tie, or shirt, white with dark green braid tie

• Jersey, woman's

• Hosiery in authorized shade

• Shoes, black leather, flat heel, laced, or court shoes with medium heel

• Badges of rank

Summer Blouse Order (W14):

• Skirt, lovat green barrack dress

• Shirt, woman's white, blouse type

• Forage cap, dark green or beret, dark green, at CO's discretion

• Stable belt, WRAC

• Jersey, woman's may be worn

• Hosiery in authorized shade

• Shoes, black leather, flat heel, laced, or court shoes with medium heel

• Badges of rank

• Raincoat if required

Shirt Sleeve Order (W14):

• Shirt, Olive drab, open necked, rolled sleeves

• Trousers, men's, lightweight

• Boots, DMS with puttees/Boots, combat high

• Socks, green

• Beret, dark green

Cooks Protective Clothing:

• Trousers, blue/white check

• Jacket, white, V-necked

• Shoes, black safety

• Hat

Queen Alexander Royal Army Nursing Corps (QARANC)

still under construction

QARANC Nurses undergoing yearly fitness tests
© HQ UKLF

Link: QARANC web site

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