Diverse RAF role models for a new generation
sir – Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston spent an uncomfortable hour in front of the House of Commons defence select committee last week (report, February 3). Gender and discrimination were at the fore.
Last year it came to light that the RAF had been fast-tracking females and individuals from underrepresented ethnic groups on to initial training courses, ahead of their white male peers. While this may very well prove to be discriminatory, it was not, as some have reported, brought about by a change to selection criteria or the standards required. The sequencing of course allocation took place after selection not before, so the claim that this has meant a drop in standards or capability of the RAF is simply untrue.
The RAF’S intention was to improve diversity in order to make the service more attractive to under-represented groups. The Ministry of Defence sets annual diversity targets, which it has failed to meet year after year; many may disagree with this target approach, but it is MOD policy. So why can’t the military attract talent from across the widest possible pool?
I have been very lucky to witness the incredible organisation that is the Air Cadets, which is full of brilliant young men and women. It is truly diverse and representative of any region where it sits, with all ethnic groups well represented and probably close to half of its members being female. Although the Air Cadets is not a direct recruiting tool for the RAF, an extremely high number of those serving were once cadets. So why does the RAF have so much difficulty translating the laudable diversity of the cadets into the Armed Forces? One critical reason is the lack of role models. As the saying goes, you can only be what you can see.
Regrettably, I served with only a few women or individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds because we recruited even fewer in my day than we do now. They were every bit as good as anyone else and I was proud to have them as my wingmen, and happy to be theirs.
The individuals who were fasttracked last year have every right to be in the service. They passed the same tests and probably had to overcome that little bit more to get there. I wish them well and hope that they are the inspiration for the next generation that will stand on their shoulders.
Air Marshal Greg Bagwell (retd) President, Air and Space Power Association
London NW1