The previous Olympic champion will change into the primary lady to put on a inexperienced beret when she is formally appointed to her part-time function within the New Yr.
The super-fit bicycle owner, who has gained gold twice and was made a CBE by the late Queen, has been recruited to encourage younger ladies to contemplate the Marines as a profession alternative.
In 2015 she switched from biking to horse racing – and gained her first occasion as a jockey the next 12 months.
Final week the 43-year-old joined rookie commandos on a compelled march throughout Dartmoor, the place she accomplished the 30-mile endurance take a look at after which introduced the profitable recruits with their coveted inexperienced berets.
The choice to nominate her comes because the elite corps finds itself the one infantry power within the UK but to recruit a lady to its ranks.
At the very least 5 have handed the Military’s six-week ‘All Arms Commando’ course versus the 36-week Royal Marine take a look at.
Greater than 20 feminine purposes have been made to the Navy to affix the 359-year-old corps. Of these, solely two began the course on the Commando Coaching Centre in Lympstone and, regardless of being excellent, each failed.
All Royal Marine recruits should go the bodily demanding nine-month Commando course, regarded by many as probably the most testing infantry choice of any unit inside Nato.
The soon-to-be Colonel Pendleton will take up her duties alongside two different ambassadors – Bear Grylls and Colonel Baron Sir Mark Sedwill, the previous Cupboard Secretary who sits as a crossbencher within the Home of Lords.
He’s additionally the President of the Particular Forces Membership.
In her new function, Victoria will attend occasions for each officers and marines as they mark their 360th anniversary subsequent 12 months.
Her accomplice Louis Tinsley is a former Particular Forces soldier and a number of other years in the past she took half within the TV collection Who Dares Wins.
A Royal Marines supply stated: “Victoria has skilled hardship by way of her coaching and has represented Nice Britain on the highest degree of sport.
“She is an inspiration to younger women and men.”
Victoria is not going to be the primary lady to serve within the Royal Marines. In 1747 Hannah Snell took on the persona of James Grey, wore males’s clothes and joined the Marines, serving on warship HMS Swallow.