Page 10 - The Wish Stream Year of 2021 (Crest)

sionthattheArmyisdevotedtorecruitingmore women and is taking active steps to accommo- date the needs of those currently serving.
Before starting their Commissioning Course, all OCdts are required to attend the Pre-Com- missioning Course Briefing Course (PCCBC), hosted at the Academy. The course is designed to provide insight into what is expected of cadets and what equipment is required. However, the kit list provided at PCCBC appeared to disad- vantage female OCdts, who felt extra pressure to purchase unnecessary items. Tights are one example; male cadets are provided with issued socks to wear with their barrack
female personnel. This conscious effort is reflected in the actions of the Academy, who have recently made positive changes focused on improving the lived experience of its female cadets. Despite this, there remain several areas for improvement; these can be separated into five categories: equipment, responsiveness, PT, clarity and women’s health.
One positive change implemented by RMAS is the recognition of sports bras as an essen- tial issued item. Sports bras can be extremely uncomfortable when worn for extended periods of time. If they lack the correct support they
dress, women are not. This is an
additional cost the male OCdts
are spared. Additionally, prior
to attending RMAS, it had not
been communicated to female
OCdts they would be afforded
the choice between trousers or a
skirt. OCdts who opted to wear
trousers had no use for tights, meaning their purchase was redundant. The kit list provided at PCCBC should be reviewed and updated so that female cadets are not disadvantaged and negative preconceptions are not reinforced.
External media reports often support negative perceptions of the armed forces and can rein- force existing negative stereotypes. In 2020, General Sir Nick Carter, the Chief of the Defence Staff, recognised that ‘laddish culture’ was wide- spread throughout the forces and that the forces run the risk of pushing “really talented females” out after only a few years. This ‘laddish’ narra- tive is easy to reinforce. Afterwards, the CC211 PCCBC cadets had created a WhatsApp group to provide a support network and a means to clarify Sandhurst related queries. However, a few weeks before the course began, a male OCdt posted a meme which made light of domestic violence against women. This joke was not well- received and most felt it was a serious issue that a potential Army Officer would deem gen- der-based violence to be humorous, especially since this cadet will inevitably lead or work with women. To allow the Academy better oversight and provide better support, issues like these could be discussed at PCCBC. Sandhurst staff could also be included in WhatsApp groups to review the content and help better guide OCdts.
The MoD are actively seeking to identify and negate gender-specific issues faced by its
can put the wearer at risk of injury, ranging from muscle soreness and discomfort to back pain and nerve entrapment. In the most serious cases, it can cause damage to the breast tissue itself. Upon arrival, all female OCdts are now fitted and issued with three sports bras. This bespoke service guarantees the cor-
rect fit and reduces the risk of injury. The Acade- my’s positive approach here could be articulated to a wider audience and included in the joining instructions to prevent unnecessary spending prior to arrival and to reinforce the message that RMAS is an inclusive organisation.
Despite this positive example, ill-fitting equip- ment continues to contribute negatively to the experiences of female OCdts. There is a per- ception that military clothing is designed for the average male; sadly, this is borne out in reality. Female OCdts are issued male PT shorts, which are not designed for female hips. This causes the shorts to become uncomfortably tight and reduces mobility. In some cases, this has caused the shorts to rip during PT. Not only is the kit uncomfortable, but it also makes it impossible to look professional. MTP shirts and trousers are often loose in certain areas and can make the wearer look untidy. Officers must lead by exam- ple, including always maintaining a professional appearance. It is rumoured that some OCdts have paid to have their MTP tailored to meet this standard.
A 2016 MoD report into the ‘Health Risks to Women in Ground Close Combat Roles’ con- cluded that women are seven times more likely to suffer from musculoskeletal injuries, some of which are caused by ill-fitting equipment. The current VIRTUS issue fits female OCdts so poorly that it affects their operational effective-
The Academy’s positive approach here could be articulated to a wider audience
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