The Armed Forces today have come a long way and are now recognised as employers of choice for members of the LGBTQ+ community
Having recently taken up appointment as the Chief of the Air Staff, I have already been hugely impressed by the work I have seen underway following Lord Etherton’s LGBT Veteran’s Independent Review.
The RAF, alongside the other Services, has spent the last years enacting Lord Etherton’s Restorative Action non-financial remedy measures. We have held ceremonies all over the world; including in Washington and Gibraltar, to recognise our veterans’ service and to mark and acknowledge the way in which they were treated. A critical part of this work has been the welcoming back of our veterans in a way that we hope will help to foster healing, recognition and pride. As part of this, a particularly special event was the summer BBQ which we hosted in conjunction with Fighting with Pride which allowed us to further this work and reaffirm our commitment to welcoming LGBTQ+ veterans back into the RAF family.
It is vital that we take the time, to reflect upon not just what happened, but also what steps have been taken to right the wrongs. Those impacted must be remembered, not only to honour their experiences, but also to guide us in building a better future.
Having an organisation in which all individuals are welcome is critical to ensuring that the RAF can attract and retain the best people from our society. Inclusion is therefore a fundamental principle which underpins our ability to fly and fight and I am committed to us upholding these values in everything we do. We can never undo the wrongs of the past, but we must learn lessons from them as we shape a modern Defence.
Finally, I would like to pay tribute to the late Lord Etherton for his report and the powerful recommendations it delivered. Lord Etherton has been a guiding light to our people; both past and present. His legacy will endure and the impact he has made on Defence will be felt profoundly for a long time.
Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth CB OBE DFC MA
Chief of the Air Staff
Essential to success
Our Service ethos is founded on strong leadership, unwavering professional and personal standards, and a steadfast dedication to the well-being of every individual. Inclusion is not, therefore, simply a goal – it is essential to our success.
Inclusion is the key to air power
When individuals feel included, they are more engaged, have higher morale and are more likely to continue their service for longer.
These benefits are key to enabling us to always be ready to fly and fight. By embracing and recognising the diverse backgrounds and perspectives within our workforce, we empower our teams and ensure our people bring their best self to work – whether in the air, on the ground, or in the support roles which underpin our operational capability.
