Lance Corporal Katrina Hodge, the soldier dubbed ''Combat Barbie'' after being crowned Miss England, is joining fellow beauties to launch the Miss World 2009 Festival.
L/Cpl Hodge, who was drafted in to compete in the Miss World contest after Rachel Christie relinquished her title following her arrest over an alleged nightclub brawl, said she planned to join comrades on the frontline in Afghanistan.
The 22-year-old soldier has already served in Iraq but said she was hoping to join the effort in Afghanistan after stepping down as Miss England in July next year.
She said: ''It is something I want to do'', adding: ''People just do not appreciate the Army enough.''
L/Cpl Hodge said she thought of ''everybody involved'' after marking Remembrance Sunday with two minutes' silence alongside some of the 119 other contestants vying to become Miss World.
She told how she hoped her role as an all-action beauty queen would be positive for young people who only saw digitally-enhanced models in the media.
L/Cpl Hodge, whose parents live in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, added: ''We are taught in training that we are first and foremost a soldier. When I am a soldier I have my hair scraped back and no make-up.
''I hope it bodes well that I am seen as a more natural beauty. Me having one day to get ready for this role shows that.''
She said her comrades were delighted for her, adding: ''They all love it and think it's fantastic.''
She added: ''It's been an absolute whirlwind - in 24 hours my life has changed.
''It's been weird but fantastic weird, because I really want this opportunity.''
L/Cpl Hodge added that she had been due to be sent out to Afghanistan before she was crowned Miss England.
She was previously given an award by her unit in the Royal Anglian Regiment for her actions during a posting in Basra and has earned the nickname ''Combat Barbie''.
She said she would be ready when called upon, adding: ''I am not leaving the army. I will still be going to work - I have just got promoted.''
She said she hoped her title as Miss England would help raise funds for various military charities, including Help for Heroes. ...
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