‘WE MUST CALL OUT ANY SEXUAL MISCONDUCT’

Iam incredibly proud of the Army, its remarkable people and the outstanding job they do. I hope that whatever paths my children, Ben and Sophie, follow in life, they will have the same opportunities to fulfil their potential.

I was recently asked if that would be the case if they joined the Army. After a moment, I offered that, had they joined the Army I joined, 30 years ago, there would be no chance; even 10 years ago it would have been tough; but today it is close, very close.

We’re not quite there and I know we still have work to do, which is why I stepped up to become the Army’s gender champion. I want to level the playing field for everyone, regardless of gender, to ensure they feel valued and can fulfil their potential.

Diane’s account will certainly evoke unpleasant memories of the Army of yesterday and reinforces why things had to change. Our triennial Sexual Harassment Survey still makes for uncomfortable reading, but we are holding a mirror to ourselves, not hiding from that we find abhorrent.

There is no place for such behaviour in today’s Army. To do what they do requires an unwavering trust in one another. It cuts to the very heart of who we are, when that trust is betrayed through sexual misconduct. We must call it out at every level. The Army is changing for the better. We have more women in command than at any other time, leading at every level. And we have our first female paratrooper; some said it would never happen. As for Sophie, I would be proud if she joined the Army today and will do all I can to make it an Army in which she would be proud to serve.”

Lt Gen Ivan Jones is the Army’s gender champion and Commander of the Field Army