Married mother-of-two becomes highest-ranked female officer in history of British Army as Iraq and Balkans veteran is promoted to lieutenant-general
- Major General Sharon Nesmith will be promoted to lieutenant general in August
- She will be the first woman to hold the rank, the second highest currently used
- She is married to a Tree Surgeon and joined the Royal Corps of Signals in 1992
A married mother-of-two will become the highest-ranked female officer in the history of the British Army.
Major General Sharon Nesmith, in her early 50s, will be promoted to lieutenant general, the most powerful position to be given to a female in the British Army.
When she takes up the post of Deputy Chief of the General Staff in August, she will be the first woman to hold the three-star rank, the second highest currently used within the military.
Major General Sharon Nesmith (centre) will become the highest-ranked female officer in the history of the British Army
Maj Gen Nesmith, who is married to a Tree Surgeon and has two young sons, joined the Royal Corps of Signals in 1992.
She spent the first few years of her career in Germany, serving in the Electronic Warfare Regiment, the 1st Armoured Division Headquarters and Signal regiment, during which time she completed three tours in the Balkans.
In 2010 she commanded 215 Signal Squadron while on Operation Telic 10 in Iraq.
She later commanded 22nd Signal Regiment and afterwards was promoted to Colonel.
When she takes up the post of Deputy Chief of the General Staff in August, she will be the first woman to hold the three-star rank, the second highest currently used within the military (pictured with General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith)
Maj Gen Nesmith started her army career in Germany, spent three tours in the Balkans and then Iraq
Maj Gen Nesmith was previously in command of 1st Signal Brigade, based in Gloucester, which prepares forces which are held at high states of readiness to support current and future military operations all over the world.
Outside of work, she enjoys taking part in marathons, fell running in the Lake District, mountain biking and skiing.
She said: ‘I feel deeply honoured to be appointed as the Deputy Chief of the General Staff at such a pivotal time for the British Army.
‘I look forward to playing my part in leading our future soldier transformation to become a more lethal, agile, digitised and expeditionary force.’
Maj Gen Nesmith, who is married to a Tree Surgeon and has two young sons, joined the Royal Corps of Signals in 1992
Outside of work, she enjoys taking part in marathons, fell running in the Lake District, mountain biking and skiing
She will serve as deputy to Chief of the General Staff General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith, the professional head of the army.
She will be the first woman to hold the prestigious appointment at the army’s headquarters.
Gen Carleton-Smith said: ‘She is the right person at the right time to drive the Army’s transformation and she brings a wealth of experience, energy and fresh ideas.’
WOMEN IN THE ARMY
All roles in the military have been open to women since 2018.
Women already serving in the Army are able to transfer into infantry roles, including the Special Forces.
Women are also able to apply to join the Royal Marines.
Pay and promotion
Men and women are on the same pay scale and are paid according to rank. The Army promotes people based on their performance, capability and potential. Every soldier receives an annual report and the best people are selected for promotion.
Training
Men and women get the same high standard of training. All role related fitness standards are the same, and unrelated to gender. This makes sure that everyone is fit enough to do the job.
Source: MOD
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