Sailors given a ‘diversity warning’ for sexist poster
Top brass report fails to stop Navy inappropriate behaviour
A SHOCKING sexist poster has forced the Royal Navy to issue a warning over diversity.
It was discovered during a routine inspection aboard a Type-23 frigate which was moored in Portsmouth.
The Chief Petty Officer who found the print-out reprimanded four junior sailors – called ratings – but then discovered that it had been widely distributed on social media.
All four were made to attend a lecture on inclusion and given extra duties, with a warning that future infringement would result in disciplinary charges.
The poster carries a picture of a female officer and implies Navy women are useful as cooks in port to make the 9pm evening meal, referred to as the “Nine o’clocker”, a tradition begun in the time of Admiral Lord Nelson.
The “joke” reads: “Women at sea. Because 9 o’clockers don’t make themselves.”
Diversity and racial equality is high on the Navy’s agenda and any breach of its code of conduct is taken very seriously. Recruits are given several lectures and presentations on diversity and inclusion and officers are trained to nip any incidents in the bud. Last year, the MOD commissioned its Report On Inappropriate Behaviours.
The report, which was overseen by Air Chief Marshal Mike Wigston, made a total of 36 recommendations to tackle problems from racism to sexism.
It included the establishment of a defence authority responsible for cultures and inappropriate behaviours. And last night, a senior naval source said: “Sailors often download ‘Funny’ [social media] memes and print them off but we cannot tolerate this. It is unclear of their exact role the four ratings had in producing this image picture and hence they have not been charged.
“But no one should be in any doubt that making such memes is a dangerous policy. It won’t be tolerated.” A spokesman from the Royal Navy said: “As a modern and inclusive employer we will not tolerate unacceptable behaviour in any form and we will take action when it is deemed to be necessary.
“The Royal Navy is at its best when it is diverse and we are committed to promoting an inclusive working environment that attracts the best people from a wide range of backgrounds.”
Earlier this year, First Sea Lord Admiral Tony Radakin indicated that he wanted to see the end of phrases such as “manned” and “seaman” in favour of genderneutral terms.
Writing for the Wavell Room military blog, one serving Warfare Officer said: “Imagine that the members of a promotion board have just been discussing manpower challenges, manmanagement and the latest guidance from the manning cell.
“‘Man’ has been planted in their head and the chances of a woman being selected for promotion have just diminished.
“Anyone who has sat on a board will deny this vigorously, but remember the examples above; priming is unconscious.
“We aren’t always aware that it is happening.”