Army officers told promotion will depend on ‘inclusiveness’

ARMY officers could be passed over for promotion if they have not done enough to improve “inclusiveness and diversity” in their units.

It comes as new television recruitment advertisements promote the Army as an inclusive workplace with the strapline: “Find where you belong.”

A newly-uncovered addition to internal Forces documents shows personnel are now judged on their efforts to make the unit a comfortable work environment regardless of recruits’ background, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation. An MOD spokesman said the requirement was “an intrinsic part of the behaviour we expect from everyone across defence”.

Serving soldiers, sailors and airmen and women receive an annual appraisal carried out by their reporting officer – usually their immediate superior – who uses checklists of around 10 measures to judge performance and progression.

In Nov 2016 a new objective was added. Under the heading “Diversity and Inclusion” it says officers, warrant officers and NCOS should: “Promote an inclusive culture within area of responsibility, working to increase understanding and engagement through education and initiative.”

For other ranks the objective is set as: “Contribute to an inclusive culture, treating others with fairness and respect, in accordance with Service Values and standards.”

An MOD spokesman told The Daily Telegraph: “We want people to be part of a team and we want to be able to identify if there’s a problem.”

Last year gay rights charity Stonewall placed the Army 99th, and the Royal Navy 82nd, on its Top 100 list of inclusive employers.