As the inaugural National Cadets Week celebrates the opportunities and skills offered by youth cadet forces across the UK, Dame Allan’s pupil India R is eyeing a landmark military milestone — aiming to become the first woman in history to complete the Royal Marines Commando selection.

India knows precisely where she is headed.

The Sixth Form pupil at Dame Allan’s Schools plans to undertake one of the toughest and most intense military training courses in the world: the 32-week Royal Marines Commando training programme at Lympstone. Since roles opened to female applicants in 2019, no woman has yet passed the course. India intends to be the first.

Her trajectory began in Year 9 when she joined the Royal Marines Combined Cadet Force (CCF) unit at Dame Allan’s. Over three years, she has progressed from a novice recruit to Cadet Sergeant, taking command of weekly parades, guiding junior pupils and leading tactical field exercises.

Last year, India captained the school’s contingent at the Sir Steuart Pringle Trophy — the premier national competition for Royal Marines CCF units held at the Commando Training Centre in Devon. Under her command, the school secured its best-ever result, taking third place in the Normandy Tier against independent schools nationwide. Her personal contribution was marked by military staff with the Commando Spirit Medal, awarded for exceptional leadership, composure and cheerfulness in adversity.

Behind the ranks and badges, however, the real growth has been personal.

“Personally, the biggest life skill I’ve gained from cadets is realising that I can be strong, brave and powerful while remaining entirely feminine,” says India, from Northumberland. “You don’t have to surrender your femininity to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the boys and perform at the exact same level.”

That conviction was forged early. Her mother served in the Royal Artillery and was among the first women in the UK trained to fire FH70 155mm field guns. Although a severe horse-riding injury at 17 prevented full-time service, her mother continued in the Territorial Army (now the Army Reserve), establishing a household ethos where ambition had no gender ceiling.

“My mum has always been a fierce advocate that girls can achieve anything boys can,” India explains. “Having that support at home set the standard for me.”

That mindset fitted naturally with the culture at Dame Allan’s CCF, one of only a handful of school-based Royal Marines sections in the country. India recalls former Contingent Commander Captain Wildsmith setting an immediate standard where capability superseded gender.

“He made it clear from day one: if you are capable, your gender is irrelevant — it is simply about who is best suited to get the job done,” she says.

That ethos has shaped her approach to command. Named Best Cadet at summer camp, India volunteered as troop commander, taking responsibility for logistics, timings and briefing fire teams during a complex mock raid on a fort.

“I’m very much a lead-from-the-front person,” she says. “There is nothing worse than being instructed to do something by a leader who wouldn’t step up and do it themselves.”

At Dame Allan’s, where the 35-strong section gives senior cadets increasing responsibility for teaching and mentoring younger pupils, leadership is earned. Cadets develop skills including fieldcraft, map reading, camouflage and concealment, weapons safety, first aid and communication, translating training into practical experience.

Those same skills carry directly into everyday life. Over the summer, India independently planned an 80km, three-day trek along the Pennine Way with two friends. When severe weather derailed their camping plans, she adapted on her feet, negotiating emergency shelter in a farmer’s barn on night one and tracking down a remote bothy on night two.

“That is the core of what CCF teaches — practical decision-making when things go off-script,” she says. “You learn a skill, but more importantly, you learn how to apply it under pressure.”

Looking ahead, India has submitted her application for the prestigious First Sea Lord Cadet appointment — a national role where select cadets act as CCF ambassadors at national events and gain an insight into the work of senior Royal Navy officers.

Her post-A-level plan is equally considered. Before attempting Commando selection, she intends to travel, join the fire service as a full-time firefighter and serve in the Royal Marines Reserve to build the physical endurance and maturity required for Lympstone.

Her drive is also fuelled by pioneer figures such as Lieutenant Lily-Mae Fisher, the Royal Navy’s first female Commando, who tragically died in a helicopter exercise earlier this year.

Another role model is former RAF fast-jet pilot Mandy Hickson, who spoke to Dame Allan’s pupils as part of The Lectures series about her career, setbacks and experience as a woman in a male-dominated environment. India was in the audience.

“She is another massive role model for me because she is so positive in the face of adversity and doesn’t let other people’s opinions dampen her sparkle,” India says.

“There are still very few women in this field to look up to. When you find someone who has broken that ground, you take notice and align yourself with those standards.”

Dame Allan’s CCF Contingent Commander Captain, Mr Jones has witnessed India’s ascent firsthand.

“In just three years, India has grown into an extraordinary leader who commands the respect of the entire contingent,” Capt. Jones says. “What sets her apart is her absolute self-discipline. She identifies a benchmark, sets her mind to it and puts in the relentless work required to achieve it. Whether leading on the parade ground or competing on Woodbury Common, she exemplifies the Commando Spirit.”

For India, the motivation is not just following in the footsteps of groundbreakers. It’s about becoming one.

Her mother provided the spark; Dame Allan’s CCF forged the foundation. The rest, India says, comes down to hard work and determination.

“No woman has passed the Royal Marines Commando training yet,” she says. “But someone will be the first — and there’s no reason why it can’t be me.”