The head of RAF recruitment has stated that she is “unashamed” of the force’s diversity goals, despite accusations that white male recruitment has been essentially halted.
Air Vice-Marshal Maria Byford, chief of staff personnel and air secretary, stated that recruiting more women and ethnic minorities would ultimately result in a “better service.”
This week, according to defense sources, the anonymous female chief of RAF recruitment quit in protest at a ‘practical halt’ in the hiring of white men.
According to the sources, the RAF was aiming to meet “impossible” diversification goals.
Air Vice-Marshal Byford, one of the highest-ranking women in the armed forces, told The Times that she had “slowed down” recruitment processes for all candidates after failing to fulfill diversity targets.
She stated, “I want the best individuals.” Therefore, I require the best individuals to enlist in order for them to realize their full potential during their military careers and for us to obtain… the operational capability requirements.
And if I can incorporate more women and people from diverse backgrounds, I believe I can provide a better service over time.
“We have no guilt in doing that because I believe it’s a good thing.”
Currently, RAF candidates can be put up for training as soon as they meet the qualifications of the “first past the post” approach, as opposed to being merited based on their performance at various stages of the procedure.
The Vice-Marshal, who has served in the force for more than three decades, stated that the RAF will examine how to legally utilize ‘positive action’ so that recruits who have met the minimum qualifications to join the force can be selected based on merit, gender, and race.
She confirmed that women may be selected over males if they are underrepresented in a role and meet the necessary qualifications. Former military members and politicians have reacted angrily to the delay in recruitment, claiming that it is a manifestation of political correctness pandering.
Former health secretary Sajid Javid stated that if the RAF has ceased recruiting white males, it would be “total nonsense.”
He stated to Sky News, “I do not believe that any organization, whether the RAF or any other public or private organization, should recruit on the basis of race.”
‘Of course, we desire a diverse workforce, and we want all abilities to shine.
In addition, I believe that a workforce with greater diversity will be more productive.
However, it should not be based on race, whether black, white, or any other race.
The leader of the RAF, Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston, has been accused by defence sources speaking to Sky News of prioritizing diversity and inclusion over UK security at a time when threats from Russia and China are mounting.
A representative for the candidate for the leadership of the Conservative Party, Rishi Sunak, stated, “The only thing that should matter in recruitment is the content of your character, not your gender or race.”
That the Ministry of Defense would allow Britain’s security to be possibly jeopardized by a so-called “diversity” campaign is not only shameful, but also hazardous.
Colonel Richard Kemp, a military commander in Afghanistan, remarked, “This notion of diversity now dominates the thinking of senior officials throughout the Armed Forces.”
They have become more concerned with political correctness than combat effectiveness, which could be detrimental to our national defenses.
This is an example of political correctness pandering; the diverse makeup of the Army is essential, but it is not the most significant factor.
Richard Drax, a Conservative member of the Commons defence committee and a former Army officer, stated that he was “nervous of any prejudice” despite his support for more women and ethnic minorities joining the Armed Forces.
Although I have been assured that standards have not been lowered, I suspect that the RAF is manipulating the quota figure.
There are an excessive number of applicants to the police force; hence, they are discriminating.
A spokeswoman for the Royal Air Force refuted claims that it had ceased recruiting white males.
The spokeswoman stated, “There is no delay in Royal Air Force recruitment, nor is there a new policy about satisfying in-year recruitment needs.”
Similar to the Royal Navy and British Army, we are doing all possible to encourage recruitment from under-represented groups and ensure a diverse workforce.
The Royal Air Force has a well-deserved reputation for operational excellence, which is based on the caliber of all its personnel. We will always strive to attract the most qualified candidates.