Corporal Gemma Boal, 22 from County Down in Northern Ireland left school at the age of 16 to concentrate on sport and fitness. She joined the RAF as a PTI in 2006 as she wanted to pursue a varied career and to continue her involvement in sport and adventurous training.

Gemma is currently based at RAF Coningsby, where she works in the Physical Education Flight. She has spent the last 14 years training and competing in Ju-jitsu and is currently a 2nd Dan.

She decided to try her hand at judo in 2008, won the award for showing the most potential at the RAF Championships, but shortly afterwards, she broke her wrist. However, not put off by this slight set-back, she decided to try again this year, and was once again awarded the potential award for 2009! She is currently a white belt but is hopeful (and confident) that she will one day be a black belt. In addition to Ju-jitsu and judo, she enjoys running, weight training and adventurous training.