ACS Ladies, Thoughts From International Women's Day

FS Nancy Southey, ACS

Today, as I have done every day, for the past four years I walk past Sqn and course photographs adorning the corridor walls of Kermode Hall. The faces looking out at me are, yes, you guessed it, mostly, if not all, men, punctuated with the odd uniformed woman here and there. So what?

Well so what indeed, the RAF is progressing rapidly and on 13 Nov 2019 in his Values and Standards Personal Statement, CAS states:

“A positive attitude to Diversity & Inclusion must be part of our normal business, a fundamental element of everything we do, every action and decision we take. This requires people in every part of our organisation to demonstrate moral courage and the highest personal standards of inclusive behaviour. I expect our leaders to be engaged, authentic and relentless in upholding the exemplary standards of conduct and behaviour that are the foundation of the RAF’s reputation and operational success.”

Fast forward to today, ACS is currently staffed 41% by serving females. There is total parity in the selection process and women are performing as well as their male counterparts. A group of very talented women who alongside male colleagues are delivering training in leadership and management to all ranks from Cpl to WO. In terms of the influence they have, it equates to approx. 1589 trained personnel between Apr 21 to Mar 22.

Why does this even matter? Well leadership requires many different skills, ours, underpinned by AP 7001, containing the doctrine of Royal Air Force Leadership, discusses, amongst many things, the concept of team synergy and how the differences between team members allow greater options for creativity in solving problems and defining opportunity for improvement. To return to CAS’ statement for a minute, he mentions authentic leadership. There is no longer a need to display the type of toxic leadership/masculinity that promotes aggression; the loudest voice belongs to the best leader; to be ‘one of the boys’ to gain credibility. Authenticity allows space for Leaders to be created, where they can develop their skills and retain their sense of self.

Offering neurodiversity, a different perspective, asking the questions that allow students to explore a point of view they may not have considered before; we as women help to create an environment to encourage a culture shift to provide psychological safety. I don’t think I have attended a course before where the Defence Trainer was able to or even had the psychological safety to respond to questions about the signs and symptoms of menopause, for example, and how it can benefit leaders to understand and support a team member dealing with or experiencing it. Student feedback is reflecting positive responses from course attendees who are enjoying the open mindedness and discourse from a range of perspectives.

The RAF is very different now to the one I joined many years ago. We still have a way to go although we are definitely moving in the right direction and it is only within the last 5 years that I decided, when my daughter talks to me about her future career options and if she is interested, I will happily recommend the RAF to her and her generation.

Back: Sgt Meecham, FS Jenkins, Sgt Noble Middle: FS Southey, Sgt Morgan, Sgt Lewis, WO Gibbons Front: FS Johnstone, FS Good, Sgt Dye, FS Chrisp, Sgt Martini Absent - Sgt Hale, FS Burns, FS Mackness, FS Berrecloth, Sgt Rayner, Miss Mulhall

FS Johnstone - delivering ‘Lead Self’ to IMLC (Sgts)

Sgt Lewis briefing JMLC (Cpls) on Command Leadership Tasks.

FS Southey facilitating Emotional Intelligence discussion with HMLC (WOs)