The RAF Regiment is the Air Force’s ground fighting force, protecting RAF bases, aircraft and equipment at home and abroad.
Announcing the opening of the RAF Regiment to women, Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said:
“A diverse force is a more operationally effective force. So I’m delighted that the RAF Regiment will be open to recruitment to women from September. Individuals who are capable of meeting the standards for the regiment will be given the opportunity to serve, regardless of their gender.
This is a defining moment for the RAF, as it becomes the first service to have every trade and branch open to both genders.”
In July of last year the Prime Minister and Defence Secretary announced that all three services would open up recruitment to ground close combat roles to women.
The RAF Regiment was due to open its recruitment to women by the end of 2018, at the same time as the Infantry and Royal Marines. However the opportunity to invite women to recruit into the Regiment earlier than expected has become available due to a review of work practices which concluded that the Regiment was closer to the Royal Armoured Corps, which is already admitting women into their training ranks, in terms of risks.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier said:
“The RAF is committed to providing equal opportunity to all, so it’s fantastic to be able to open recruitment to the RAF Regiment to women ahead of schedule. We want the best and most talented individuals to join the Air Force, regardless of their gender, race, or background.
A diverse force is a more effective force, and we need the best people to deliver the important work we do, be it defeating Daesh in Iraq and Syria, or protecting Britain’s skies.”
Well isnt that nice. I’m glad Mr.Fallon feels so pleased with himself but i’m sorry, i just don’t think women have the b*lls for it.
Not all of them by any means but I’m sure there will be some – haven’t you seen ‘GI Jane’ !
Still not sure what the logic is of “A diverse force is a more operationally effective force”.
GI Jane, yeah that is a great documantary 🙂
*documentary
Isn’t it true ?
All genders? There’s only 2 surely. ?
There is an argument suggesting that there are some 20 types of gender, such as transwoman, transmen, androgynous, pangender, tri-gender etc. – but that is not really the point.
Anyone who has worked with the RAF will understand that they have always been proud to push the boundaries of what we might refer to as ‘gender norms’.
At a time when women were precluded from operational flying the RAF had female, albeit transgender, aircrew, including at least one with experience in what was arguably the most exciting and demanding theatre of air operations since 1945 – the Rhodesian Bush War.
When I see the girls change a track on a tank,that will be the day Mr Fallon.
Been there John: Exercise Quarter Final early eighties I guess, NW Germany, I happened upon a Danish tank squadron equipped with Centurions. The OCs tank was all female and they were changing a road wheel not because it was unserviceable but because the reckoned it was not going to last another 50km.
I recall thinking that not only were they competent but they were thinking ahead; and I was impressed that they had their entire war load of ammunition, albeit blank, from main armament to 9mm for their Charlie Gs. Another thought struck me, that every so often that would be one very angry tank.