Army officers have been ordered to “disassociate” themselves from private members’ clubs that refuse to allow female soldiers to join.
Lt Gen David Eastman told regiments to review their affiliations with exclusive organizations that restrict women from joining or bar them from accessing certain rooms, urging troops to “advocate for change”.
In a letter seen by The Telegraph, the deputy chief of general staff said it was “critical” to assess the links between Army units and the clubs to determine whether they were still “appropriate”.
“The presence of women in all aspects of Army life is not only a reflection of societal progress but also a central component of our operational effectiveness,” Lt Gen Eastman wrote.
“Where affiliations are maintained with clubs whose rules or practices treat members differently based on gender, we risk undermining the inclusivity and cohesion we strive to foster within our ranks.”
Inside WW1 military hospital abandoned for decades before new lease of life
The marching orders, believed to be the first of their kind, seek to determine whether the rules and culture of the traditionally male-only clubs matched “the Army’s values and the principles of equality and respect,” the general said.
Writing to troops, the military chief said it had come to his attention that some corps and regiments maintained historical ties with clubs whose rules flew in the face of “inclusivity”.
The letter was sent out to regimental colonels and senior leaders on Tuesday.
‘Inclusivity must be visible’
In the letter, Lt Gen Eastman expressed his concerns not only for organizations that barred women entirely but those whose membership rights, access, and participation varied based on gender.
“The British Army continues to evolve into a modern, inclusive, and forward-thinking organization,” he wrote. “It is imperative that our practices, partnerships, and affiliations reflect the values we uphold.”
He added: “Our commitment to inclusivity is vital, and it must be visible.”
Affiliations between the regiments and private members’ clubs are informal, and membership is funded by individuals rather than by units. However, the links for some have been historic and long-standing.
Lt Gen Eastman warned that endorsements of such groups carried “weight” and must now be reviewed in an effort to better promote inclusivity.
“It creates an environment in which service personnel may feel an implicit expectation to join to fully participate in social or professional life,” he said.
Brighton beach evacuated as bomb squad blow up 'World War 2 shell' near pier
“Where access or treatment is unequal, the effect is to diminish the agency of some members, restrict their participation in opportunities that may be professionally advantageous, and risk sending a mixed signal about the army’s stated commitment to inclusion.”
The senior officer gave three orders, calling for units to “review” affiliations to ensure clubs align with army values; carry out “engagement” to fight for change; and for “disassociation where necessary” from a club’s policies or practices are found to be fundamentally incompatible with the Army’s values.
An Army spokesman said: “Ensuring every member of our Armed Forces can participate fully in Army life without facing barriers based on gender is fundamental to building the capable, cohesive fighting force.
“This review addresses informal affiliations that risk creating two-tier access to professional networks. Where clubs affiliated with corps or regiments maintain different membership rights based on gender, it sends a message inconsistent with how a modern Army operates.
“There is never a wrong time to address practices that limit the potential of our people. This review requires no diversion of operational resources, it asks senior leaders to assess affiliations and engage in dialogue.”
News of the letter comes days after the Telegraph revealed the Army was facing a major probe into the alleged sexual abuse of recruits at medical testing centers.
Wiltshire Police launched the investigation, with detectives saying the abuse spanned between 1970 and 2016 and involved multiple “perpetrators” across “several locations”.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
