Equality and Diversity in The Armed Forces

The Armed Forces today offer a wide range of jobs, and can be called upon to operate in many roles, around the world. In an increasingly fast-moving world, they come into contact with a wide variety of cultures, situations and environments. We need people with talent, energy and motivation, who have the ability to work under pressure and thrive on new challenges. We are committed to recruiting and retaining the best people for the job from all walks of life, irrespective of race, ethnic origin, gender, religion and without reference to social background or sexual orientation.

The Armed Forces are an equal opportunities employer and are committed to ensuring a working environment free from harassment, intimidation and unlawful discrimination, in which each individual is not only valued and respected – but encouraged to realise their full potential.

Our equality and diversity policies are not about political correctness. Operational effectiveness depends on cohesion and teamwork, which are enhanced by treating everyone fairly, with dignity and respect. And it is right that the Armed Forces should be representative of the diverse society they exist to defend.

The MOD Equality and Diversity Scheme 2008-2011 which encompasses race, disability, gender, age religion or belief and sexual orientation sets out how the Armed Forces will meet the statutory requirement to promote equality and diversity.

The Armed Forces have been working hard in recent years to increase recruitment and representation from UK ethnic minority communities.  The Services continue to commit significant effort and resources to engage and raise awareness among all of the UK’s minority groups and to encourage members of those groups to consider a career in the Armed Forces.  All 3 Services are particularly active in diversity action and mentoring within areas with large ethnic minority populations aimed at promoting Service careers. They are engaged in numerous and varied initiatives to encourage more young people from ethnic minority backgrounds to join the Armed Forces. Intake from ethnic minorities into the UK Regular Armed Forces was provisionally for the 12 month ending 30 September 2009 4.8% for the Royal Navy, 11% for the Army and 2.6% for the RAF.

The Armed Forces aim is to reach 8% ethnic minority representation by 2013 (in order to reflect ethnic minority representation in UK society). Ethnic minority representation in the Regular Armed Forces has risen substantially in recent years from just over 1% in 1999 to a provisional figure of 6.6% as at 1 October 2009.  We are committed to increasing this representation and want to see more personnel from these groups coming through to senior positions. The Armed Forces recognise that it will take many years before the benefits of their recruiting efforts are realised and ethnic minorities are fully represented at all levels in the Services. The Armed Forces need the very best men and women – irrespective of race, ethnic origin or religion.

Women play an essential part in the Armed Forces, which includes many challenging and dangerous roles that carry immense responsibility. Many of these are frontline roles such as flying combat aircraft, serving on warships and ground combat support roles. Servicewomen currently represent around 9.5% of the total Armed Forces strength. The Armed Forces are committed to maximising opportunities for women consistent with the need to maintain combat effectiveness. The majority of posts in the Armed Forces are now open to women: 71% of posts in the Navy, 67% of posts in the Army and 96% of posts in the RAF.

The percentage of women serving in the Armed Forces is increasing. In the UK’s Regular Forces the percentage of women has increased from 5.7% in 1990 to 9.5% as at 1 October 2009. The RAF has the highest percentage of female personnel (13.7%), followed by the Naval Service (9.6%) then the Army (7.9%). As at 1 October 2009 there were 18,250 women in the Armed Forces. 3,860 were officers and 14,380 in other ranks. The total number of Armed Forces personnel (male and female) is 191,320. (N.B. all figures are provisional)

Women hold key positions in the Armed Forces and are now reaching senior ranks, such as Captain in the Royal Navy, Brigadier in the Army and Air Commodore in the RAF . The attainment of 2 Star rank (Rear Admiral, Major General or Air Vice-Marshal) and above has tended to depend on operational experience in the Combat Arms and at present there are no women in these ranks.  However, as women are increasingly deploying on operations they may attain these higher ranks with time.  This increased contribution to the combat effectiveness of the Armed Forces is reflected in the award of medals for gallantry for the first time to women during operational deployments.

These include:  

• The Military Cross awarded to Able Seaman Kate Nesbitt of the Royal Navy  
• The Military Cross awarded to Private Michelle Norris of the Royal Army Medical Corps  
• The Distinguished Flying Cross awarded to Flight Lieutenant Michelle Goodman    

The Armed Forces have a generous Occupational Maternity Scheme. However, continuing difficulties in reconciling family (especially child and elder care), Service commitments to go to sea or deployment overseas remain obstacles to career advancement for many women.  Significant efforts are however being made to introduce more “family friendly” (see related pages) policies to aid the retention of female personnel.

All recruits need to be fit and able but some minor disabilities that do not interfere with an individual’s employment need not necessarily be a bar to joining.

Strong leadership and understanding by all personnel, especially those in key positions of responsibility, is necessary to encourage a military culture that is seen both to promote and welcome diversity.  The Service Chiefs have given a strong personal commitment to the importance and benefits of diversity in order to bring about real change.

Education and awareness of diversity and equality issues is essential. We regard this as a high priority area.

The Joint Equality and Diversity Training Centre at Shrivenham has a vital role to play. This Centre, unique within Europe, provides training for dedicated Equality and Diversity Advisers and all Senior Officers. We want to see senior managers confronting prejudice and acting decisively to remove it.