Page 10 - The Wish Stream Year of 2021

sion that the Army is is devoted to to recruiting more women and is is taking active steps to to accommo- date the needs of those currently serving Before starting their Commissioning Course all OCdts are required to attend the the Pre-Com- missioning Course Course Briefing Course Course (PCCBC) hosted at at the Academy The course is is is designed to to provide insight into what what is is is expected of cadets and what what equipment is is is is required However the kit list provided at at PCCBC appeared to disad- vantage female OCdts who felt extra pressure to purchase unnecessary items Tights are are one example male cadets are are provided with with issued socks to wear with their barrack
female personnel This conscious effort is is reflected in the the actions of the the Academy who have recently made positive changes focused on improving the 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 is the recognition of sports bras bras as as as an an an essen- tial issued item Sports bras bras can be extremely uncomfortable when worn for for extended periods of of time If they they lack the the the the correct support they they dress women are not This is is an additional cost the male OCdts are are spared Additionally prior
to to attending RMAS it it had not been communicated to to female OCdts they would be be be afforded
the the choice between trousers or or a a a skirt OCdts who opted to wear trousers had no use use for tights meaning their purchase was redundant The kit list provided at at at PCCBC should be reviewed and and updated so that female cadets are are not not disadvantaged and and negative preconceptions are are not not reinforced External media reports often support negative perceptions of of the armed forces and can rein- force force existing negative stereotypes In 2020 General Sir Nick Carter the the Chief of the the Defence Staff recognised that that ‘laddish culture’ was wide- spread throughout the the the forces forces and that that the the the forces forces run the the the risk of pushing “really talented females” out after only a a a a a a a a a a a few years This ‘laddish’ narra- tive is is is easy to reinforce Afterwards the CC211 PCCBC cadets had created a a a a a a a a a a a WhatsApp group to to provide a a a a a a a a a a a a a support network and and a a a a a a a a a a a a a means to to clarify Sandhurst related queries However a a a a a a a a a a a few weeks before the course began a a a a a a a a a male OCdt posted a a a a a a a a meme which made light of domestic violence against women This joke was was not well- received and most felt it was was a a a a a a a a a serious issue that a a a a a a a a potential Army Officer would deem gen- der-based violence to be humorous especially since this cadet will inevitably lead or or or work with women To allow the the Academy better better oversight and and provide better better support issues like these could could be be be discussed at at PCCBC Sandhurst staff
could could also be be be included in 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 the the the wearer at risk of injury ranging from muscle soreness and and discomfort to back pain and and nerve entrapment In the the most serious cases it it can cause damage to the the breast tissue itself Upon arrival all female OCdts are now fitted and issued with three sports bras This bespoke service guarantees the the cor-
rect fit and reduces the the risk of injury The Acade- my’s positive approach here could be articulated to to a a a a a a a a wider audience and included in in in in in in the joining instructions to to to to prevent unnecessary spending prior
to to to arrival and to to to reinforce the message that RMAS is is an an an inclusive organisation Despite this positive example ill-fitting equip- ment continues to to contribute negatively to to the experiences of female OCdts There is is a a a a a per- ception that military clothing is is is is designed for the average male male male sadly this is is is is borne out in in reality Female OCdts are are issued male male male male PT shorts which are are not designed for for female hips This causes the shorts to become uncomfortably tight and reduces mobility In some cases this has caused the the shorts to rip during PT Not only is is the the kit uncomfortable but it it it also makes it it it impossible to look professional MTP shirts and and trousers are are often loose in in certain areas and and can make the wearer look untidy Officers must lead by exam- ple including always maintaining a a a a a a a a a a a a a professional appearance It is is rumoured that some OCdts have have paid to to have have their MTP tailored to to meet this standard A 2016 MoD report into the ‘Health Risks to to Women in 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 fit it affects their operational effective-
The Academy’s positive approach here could be articulated to a a a a wider audience 8 SANDHURST