The World's First All-Female Special Forces Unit Are Seriously Badass
I do love it when a good old gender stereotype gets challenged, and damn, is this one breaking down some barriers.
Jegertroppen - which translates to Hunter Troop - are the first all-female division of Norway's Forsvarets Spesialkommando (Special Forces), and they're some tough ladies. Each member in the unit undergoes a year of the most intense training, with exercises that test their strength both mentally and physically.
To even be considered, applicants had to pass a first test: run four miles whilst carrying 60lbs of military gear... in under 52 minutes. I'm literally breaking a sweat thinking about it, but 300 badass ladies took it on and applied in the unit's first year.
Credit: Carolina Reid/NBC News
A unit like this is seriously beneficial in places like Afghanistan, where male soldiers aren't allowed to interact with local women. This isn't the first time that Norway's Ministry of Defence have broken some serious ground on the gender equality front, either.
In the '80s, the Norwegian government passed legislation meaning that roles of combat could be opened up and made available for women, too. This made Norway a frontrunner in doing so, with combat roles being opened up to female soldiers in the US military only last year.
Although the Jegertroppen are yet to be deployed anywhere, you can bet your ass they're ready.
