Questions about joining the Army as a female.....

[Soviette]

Hiya, I'm 18 and I'm strongly considering joining the military when I turn 19 (or maybe older as I may end up deferred). I've been interested in enlisting since I was 13, but I never ended up joining at 16 for some reason, probably distractions in my personal life. Okay, so I have a few questions. Some I technically know the answer to, but I want to make absolutely sure of. Now, I know that females are excluded from the Infantry, Armour, and Cavalry, and I happen to be one of those females that happen to be interested in something combat related, I know theres people / reasons for and against this but I'm not here to start a debate on that, so if you're against my ambition for "moral" reasons, would you kindly not bother answering. After a bit of research I'm aware that there are some roles that may work directly with/alongside the infantry on the frontline, such as the Royal Artillery. I'm sure you know what I'm looking for, so after looking on the role finder I'm wondering anyone, with experience preferably, knows how close the following roles are to the frontline and how likely it is to get recruited into these jobs. In terms of training difficulty, availability of slots, etc.

Combat Medical Technician
Combat Engineer
Special Gunfire Observer
Artillery Observer
Artillery Light Gunner
Tank Crewman (Reserves) (this seems to be the only way females can serve in Armour?)

So what is like when/if the above deploy? I.E. to Afghanistan (where the frontline is supposedly asymmetrical), and if a full scale war (the hypothetical 'World War III') were to break out tommorow, would the above roles be in anywhere near as much danger as infantry and armour?

Also on training: I know 'Phase 1' training for all adult females is at ATC Pirbright, what gender are the drill sergeants? And I know this is a strange question but does phase 1 training resemble anything like that movie Full Metal Jacket? Haha, I know that's an American film set in the 1960's, but still. And what about 'Phase 2'? That's the role/trade training and I'm aware it's mixed sex. Is that boot camp'ey too? lol. Okay this last paragraph is just random questions.

If anyone can help me out here, it's much appreciated!

P.S. I'm not "butch" or anything.. I'm just, er, adventurous? .... lol.

[Ares-God of War]

does phase 1 training resemble anything like that movie Full Metal Jacket? Haha, I know that's an American film set in the 1960's,.

Yes Phase 1 is like Full Metal Jacket. Except its the US army, its in the 60s its now 2011 and Its a Movie!

Ares

[Wholley]

Be gentle Ares,
I believe she was just joshing.

[Ares-God of War]

I wish to apologize.
Fact: the sergeant in Full M J was a real marine Corp Sergeant R. Lee Ermey.

Ares

[Wholley]

Yes he was.
He could spell his rank too.

[Nero]

Read the descriptions on the links you posted!

Special gunfire observer is probably the closest to infantry as you will be a reconnaissance unit, basically looking for the enemy then reporting this information back to the gunners. I believe you'll need some experience first because it is quite an advanced role, a friend of mine wanted to become one straight from bootcamp but was told he should get some experience first (Royal Artillery).

Nero

[Ares-God of War]

Yes he was.
He could spell his rank too.

Thank you Wholley. (What i really think) It has been corrected.

Ares

[aradia]

i'm in the process of applying for the army and i had a pretty wide range of jobs offered me and i hope to become a language specialist in the army, yes it is true that being female limits us but who says we cannot be as good or better than the guys, the basic training for us yes is in pirbright and then i was told that i'd be going to lichfield afterwards, the honest answer is that i'll never know what truly awaits us but it is one place i truly feel like i belong and if you are determined to do it you will get there no matter what basic training is like. i have been speaking to alot of ex soldiers recently and one of the is supposed to be giving me a book on basic training. the trade training being mixed just gives us an excuse to try to be as good as the guys but never mind. honestly i do not know what the trade training is like...